The 2025 Hyundai i30 hatchback was unveiled, the second facelift since the existing model arrived in 2017, ahead of Australian showroom arrivals scheduled for the second half of this year.
It’s designed to extend the life of the existing i30 sedan, Hyundai’s oldest style on sale in Australia, as all-new petrol-powered styling looks unlikely amid slowing sales of small sedans in Europe.
The 2025 update brings tweaks to the design, with new bumpers, wheels, and color inserts, as well as a bevy of widescreen virtual tools and new protection features.
While the changes are moderate, value increases are expected to be larger here than in Europe, as production of standard i30 hatchbacks for Australia is expected to move from South Korea to the Czech Republic.
MORE: Hyundai i30 Hatchback stocks sell out ahead of updated model expected after July
That means the car will be hit with a five percent import tariff — and will be supplied with a more complex mild, turbocharged hybrid engine — which, combined with higher shipping costs, is expected to fetch the value of $28,290 for the least expensive automatic transmission. Increased i30 hatch.
An updated i30 N sedan, which was produced in the Czech Republic, is expected to stick to the normal range and arrive in Australia after being scrapped in Europe last month.
The last South Korean-built i30s were produced last year and are expected to sell out in the coming months, before updated styling arrives after July.
MORE: Hyundai i30 N and i20 N hot hatches discontinued in Europe, Australia with facelift
Styling changes for the i30 sedan in Europe include new upper and lower front grille patterns, redesigned foglight frames that no longer feature chrome trim, a modified chrome insert on the rear bumper, and a new 16-inch wheel design (not shown).
There were already differences between the European and Australian versions of the popular i30, namely triangular daylight hours with lighting fixtures and a simpler rear bumper on the delivered models.
The “new” N Line is very different to the edition on sale in Australia, but that’s because the local market hasn’t benefited from the styling tweaks introduced for the N Line with its 2020 facelift – new front and rear bumpers, wheels and headlights – in Europe.
MORE: Hyundai i30 hatchback will take a break until facelift, price to rise by the end of 2024
Compared to the previous N Line in Europe, the updated edition benefits from a new grille insert, dark steel accents on the external front air intakes, new side skirts and new 17- and 18-inch wheels.
V-shaped sunlight hours operating LED luminaires are not new, having been introduced in popular styles in Europe since 2020; however, until now they were exclusive to the i30 N sedan in Australia, as until now it was the only style incorporated. Europe.
LED headlights are now the norm in Europe (and Australia has the possibility to follow them, given that phasing out halogen headlights globally would simplify the production procedure), while there are seven new colours (Abyss Black Pearl, Ecotronic Grey Pearl, Ultimate Red Metallic, Jupiter Orange Metallic, Meta Blue Pearl, Cypress Green Pearl and Sail Blue Pearl).
Inside, models in Europe now feature a 10. 25-inch virtual tool cluster, replacing the old 7. 0-inch analogue and display dials, with a 4. 2-inch display flanked by dials fitted on the less expensive variants.
There are 3 new seat models (with a combination of fabric, suede and leather, depending on the model, and with red stripes on the N Line), as well as 3 USB-C ports (replacing a USB-A socket), a gloss black centre console (instead of matte), new fabrics and LED interior lighting.
The 10. 25-inch infotainment touchscreen remains on flagship models and runs older Hyundai software, but receives updates to navigation maps.
Safety has been enhanced with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) technology at intersections, as well as a reminder for rear occupants and a new traffic sign recognition formula that beeps when the vehicle exceeds the speed limit it has detected.
Australian models are expected to feature a 1. 5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, making 118 kW and 253 Nm, combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 48-volt hybrid technology.
It’s less sturdy, but has more torque than the 2. 0-litre engine which produces 120 kW/203 Nm in the top i30s, and promises fuel savings of 5. 7 L/100 km by stricter European standards (compared to 7. 4 L/100km for the 2. 0-litre engine in Australia). ). .
The mild hybrid formula can’t move the wheels on electric power alone, but it can help the engine accelerate or turn it off when driving at a constant speed to allow the vehicle to glide.
The 1. 5-litre turbo engine is expected to be featured in all traditional i30s, as the 150 kW/265 Nm 1. 6-litre turbo engine from the existing Australian N Line variants is not available in European-produced versions.
Production of the 2025 Hyundai i30 is expected to begin in the Czech Republic in April 2024. In Europe, the estate and “Fastback” chassis styles are also available, although the hatchback edition is expected to hit local showrooms.
Showroom arrivals in Australia, the world’s largest market for the i30 sedan and one of the few places left outside Europe where it is sold, are scheduled between July and September 2024, pending delays.
Journalist