Photo of a Hyundai i30

Hyundai i30

Hyundai's European challenger spawned a 271 hp i30 N Performance with 1944 setup combinations.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 31 sources

At a glance

0150300
89–276 hpPower
07.515
5.4–14.9 s0–100 km/h
0125250
170–250 km/hTop speed
0200400
134–392 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,210–1,500 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.381214

Engine
1.0 L turbo I3; gasoline/diesel I4s; N: 2.0 L turbo I4; 2020: 48V hybrids371113
Layout
Front engine, front-wheel drive3
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/6-speed automatics; 7-speed DCT; i30 N adds 8-speed DCT38
Built at
Hyundai Nošovice plant, Czech Republic; Ulsan plant, South Korea36

The story

Built to challenge Europe's mainstream family cars, the i30 introduced Hyundai's 'i' naming system in 2007. In North America, its wagon wore Elantra Touring badges; the hatchback followed as the Elantra GT.13

GenerationsMilestones3
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2007–2012Hyundai i30 (first generation) (FD)
2011–2017Hyundai i30 (second generation) (GD)
2007Geneva debut launches the 'i' era
2011Second generation debuts at Frankfurt
2015183 hp i30 Turbo joins the facelift
2016Third generation opens a new family
2017i30 N makes Hyundai's performance debut
2019600-car Project C sheds 50 kg
2021Eight-speed DCT and 276 hp
2024i30 N exits Europe, stays in Australia
  1. 2007

    Geneva debut launches the 'i' era

    The first i30 debuts at Geneva in March and reaches Europe and Australia that year, bringing Hyundai's new 'i' naming system.13

  2. 2011

    Second generation debuts at Frankfurt

    The second generation debuts at Frankfurt, developed in Rüsselsheim and built in Nošovice for Europe. European sales follow in early 2012.34

  3. 2015

    183 hp i30 Turbo joins the facelift

    The GD facelift brings the 183 hp 1.6 Turbo: 265 Nm, a six-speed manual and 0–100 km/h in 8.0 seconds.35

  4. 2016

    Third generation opens a new family

    The third generation is introduced in 2016, with UK sales starting in March 2017. The hatchback launches a wider family.167

  5. 2017

    i30 N makes Hyundai's performance debut

    Hyundai's first high-performance production car arrives with 247 hp or 271 hp in Performance form, both driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual.289

  6. 2019

    600-car Project C sheds 50 kg

    Limited to 600 cars, Project C keeps 271 hp but cuts 50 kg and sits 6 mm lower, with carbon-fiber body parts.10

  7. 2021

    Eight-speed DCT and 276 hp

    The i30 N Performance gains a wet eight-speed DCT option alongside the manual. Its 2.0 turbo now delivers 276 hp and 392 Nm.8

  8. 2024

    i30 N exits Europe, stays in Australia

    Production for Europe ends in February; Australia retains the i30 N hatch and gets an update in August.1112

Every generation

Power over the years

From 141 hp to 271 hp in 10 years.

0100200300 20062008201020122014201620182020 hp 2007 · 141 hp · FD 2.0 gasoline2011 · 89 hp · GD 1.4 CRDi diesel2011 · 98 hp · GD 1.4 CVVT gasoline2015 · 134 hp · GD 1.6 CRDi facelift2015 · 183 hp · GD i30 Turbo 1.6 T-GDI2017 · 108 hp · PD 1.6 CRDi diesel (UK)2017 · 118 hp · PD 1.0 T-GDi gasoline (UK)2017 · 138 hp · PD 1.4 T-GDi gasoline (UK)2017 · 247 hp · i30 N standard2017 · 271 hp · i30 N Performance2020 · 158 hp · 1.5 T-GDI 48V N Line (UK) 271 hp i30 N Performance 141 hp FD 2.0 gasoline
3791213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2007141FD 2.0 gasoline
201189GD 1.4 CRDi diesel
201198GD 1.4 CVVT gasoline
2015134GD 1.6 CRDi facelift
2015183GD i30 Turbo 1.6 T-GDI
2017108PD 1.6 CRDi diesel (UK)
2017118PD 1.0 T-GDi gasoline (UK)
2017138PD 1.4 T-GDi gasoline (UK)
2017247i30 N standard
2017271i30 N Performance
20201581.5 T-GDI 48V N Line (UK)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • i30cw / Estate / Tourer

    Standard

    i30cw / Estate / Tourer

  • i30 Coupe

    Standard

    i30 Coupe

    2013–2017

  • i30 Fastback

    Standard

    i30 Fastback

  • i30 N Line

    Standard

    i30 N Line

  • i30 Turbo

    Performance

    i30 Turbo

    2015–2017

    183 hp
  • Performance

    i30 N (standard)

    247 hp
  • i30 N Performance

    Performance

    i30 N Performance

  • i30 Fastback N

    Performance

    i30 Fastback N

  • Limited

    i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition

    800 built

  • i30 N Project C

    Limited

    i30 N Project C

    2019

    271 hp

    600 built

  • Limited

    i30 N First Edition

    2017

    271 hp

    100 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • 2012 i30: hexagonal grille framed by jewel-like headlights.4
  • 2017 i30: upright cascading grille, long hood and rearward-set front roof pillars.20
  • N Line uses silver bumper accents; the original N Performance wears red stripes front and rear.1821
  • North America: Elantra Touring is the wagon; Elantra GT is the i30 hatchback.3

Year by year

  1. June 2010

    FD facelift: reshaped nose with a hexagonal grille and a revised rear bumper.14

  2. 2015

    GD gets a revised hexagonal grille and subtly restyled taillights; bi-xenon headlights become available on selected versions.16

  3. 2020

    Hatchback: wider 3D-pattern grille, slimmer V-signature lights, reshaped rear bumper, V-shaped rear LEDs and new 16-/17-inch alloys.13

  4. 2021 N

    N gains V-shaped LEDs, a sharp-mesh grille and forged 19-inch Performance wheels; hatch rear lamps change, Fastback rear stays.8

  5. 2024

    New grille pattern, lower bumper insert and fog-light housings; hatch/wagon get angular rear trim, standard LED lights and fresh 16-inch alloys.6

  6. 2024 N Line

    N Line gains bolder grille mesh, dark metal bumper and side-skirt inserts, plus new 17- or 18-inch wheels.6

Don’t confuse it with

  • Hyundai Veloster N

    Count the side doors: the i30 N has four, while the Veloster N has three.2

Against its rivals

  • Skoda Octavia Estate

    i30 vs Skoda Octavia Estate

    Trunk, seats up

    i30602 L
    Skoda Octavia Estate610 L
    15
  • i30 vs VW Golf GTI Performance (7.5)

    Price lower is better

    i3027,995 £
    VW Golf GTI Performance (7.5)30,475 £
    21
  • Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport

    i30 vs Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport

    Test weight lower is better

    i301,477 kg
    Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport1,316 kg
    21

Prices

Value today $19.5K–$44.2K9

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 2010201520202025 Value today: $19,500–$44,200 2007 · $20,742 · Germany 1.4 Classic; approx. $1.37/€2012 · $23,047 · UK Classic; approx. $1.59/£2017 · $21,924 · UK S 1.0 T-GDi; approx. $1.29/£2017 · $30,309 · UK Premium SE; approx. $1.29/£2018 · $27,900 · UK base, N; printed USD2018 · $31,400 · UK N Performance; printed USD2020 · $41,474 · South Africa N 6MT; approx. $0.061/R2022 · $45,744 · South Africa N 8DCT; approx. $0.061/R2025 · $47,538 · South Africa N; approx. $0.056/R 2007 · 15.140 € · Germany base, 2007; approx. $1.37 per euro 2026 · $390 · 2012-reg Active, 127,794 mi; Cat N, £300 hammer, MST Auctioneers $390.0 MST Auctioneers, 2026
2712142930
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2007Launch price$20,742Germany base, 2007; approx. $1.37 per euro
2007Price when new$20,742Germany 1.4 Classic; approx. $1.37/€
2012Price when new$23,047UK Classic; approx. $1.59/£
2017Price when new$21,924UK S 1.0 T-GDi; approx. $1.29/£
2017Price when new$30,309UK Premium SE; approx. $1.29/£
2018Price when new$27,900UK base, N; printed USD
2018Price when new$31,400UK N Performance; printed USD
2020Price when new$41,474South Africa N 6MT; approx. $0.061/R
2022Price when new$45,744South Africa N 8DCT; approx. $0.061/R
2025Price when new$47,538South Africa N; approx. $0.056/R
2026Auction sale$3902012-reg Active, 127,794 mi; Cat N, £300 hammer, MST Auctioneers
2026Value today$19,500–$44,200

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters
  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “The TCR won its very first race”
    • “Tarquini and MRacing-YMR swept WTCR's titles”
  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations
  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. Vehicle History 2000 i30 | Corporate | Footer - Hyundai Worldwide hyundai.com
  2. 2018 Hyundai i30 N First Drive | Review | Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  3. Hyundai i30 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. New-generation i30 to make world debut at 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show - Hyundai Motor Company news.cision.com
  5. Le prix et l’équipement de la i30 Turbo dévoilés news.hyundai.be
  6. Bolder and more high-tech: i30 gets update hyundai.news
  7. Hyundai Motor UK announce New Generation i30 pricing & specifications hyundai.news
  8. Shift the moment: new Hyundai i30 N enhanced for maximum driving fun hyundai.news
  9. Hyundai i30 N (2017 - 2024) review – the bargain Civic Type R rival | evo evo.co.uk
  10. i30 N Project C Premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show | Hyundai N hyundai-n.com
  11. Hyundai i30 N, i20 N hot hatches axed in Europe, safe for Australia whichcar.com.au
  12. Hyundai i30 N (2020-2025) Buyer's Guide cars.co.za
  13. New Hyundai i30: sleeker, safer, and more efficient hyundai.news
  14. Hyundai i30 (FD) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  15. New (2017-2020) Hyundai i30 Tourer Review | Drive, Specs & Pricing | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  16. Hyundai i30 (GD) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  17. Hyundai i30 N und i30 Fastback: Einmal sportlich, einmal schick autohaus.de
  18. Spice up your driveway: Hyundai unveils the New i30 N Line hyundai.news
  19. i30 N | Drive-N Limited Edition | Hyundai Motor Europe hyundai.com
  20. Suunnittelijat kertovat - Hyundai hyundai.fi
  21. Hyundai i30 N vs VW Golf GTI vs Peugeot 308 GTi review | evo evo.co.uk
  22. Wheels Interview: Albert Biermann, from M to N whichcar.com.au
  23. I30 N TCR – BRC Racing Team brcracingteam.com
  24. Hyundai i30 N TCR customers score FIA WTCR title double in Macau* hyundai.news
  25. Hyundai i30 N TCR Customers Take Second WTCR Title | Hyundai N hyundai-n.com
  26. Discover Your Next Daily Racer in Forza Motorsport forza.net
  27. Used Hyundai i30 (Mk2, 2012-2017) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  28. Hyundai i30 used car review | RACV racv.com.au
  29. Hyundai i30 prices announced | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  30. Hyundai i30 Active Blue Drive CRD,Registration number: EN12 ONB,V5: Present,Odometer reading: 127,79 mstauctioneers.co.uk
  31. Used Hyundai i30 review - ReDriven redriven.com
  • hyundai.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • news.cision.com
  • news.hyundai.be
  • hyundai.news
  • evo.co.uk
  • hyundai-n.com
  • whichcar.com.au
  • cars.co.za
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • carwow.co.uk
  • autohaus.de
  • hyundai.fi

Photo credits