At a glance
The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.381214
- Layout
- Front engine, front-wheel drive3
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
Show the numbers
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2007–2012 | Hyundai i30 (first generation) (FD) |
| 2011–2017 | Hyundai i30 (second generation) (GD) |
| 2007 | Geneva debut launches the 'i' era |
| 2011 | Second generation debuts at Frankfurt |
| 2015 | 183 hp i30 Turbo joins the facelift |
| 2016 | Third generation opens a new family |
| 2017 | i30 N makes Hyundai's performance debut |
| 2019 | 600-car Project C sheds 50 kg |
| 2021 | Eight-speed DCT and 276 hp |
| 2024 | i30 N exits Europe, stays in Australia |
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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

Hyundai Elantra 
FD2007–2012 
GD2011–2017
Power over the years
From 141 hp to 271 hp in 10 years.
Show the numbers
| Year | Horsepower | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 141 | FD 2.0 gasoline |
| 2011 | 89 | GD 1.4 CRDi diesel |
| 2011 | 98 | GD 1.4 CVVT gasoline |
| 2015 | 134 | GD 1.6 CRDi facelift |
| 2015 | 183 | GD i30 Turbo 1.6 T-GDI |
| 2017 | 108 | PD 1.6 CRDi diesel (UK) |
| 2017 | 118 | PD 1.0 T-GDi gasoline (UK) |
| 2017 | 138 | PD 1.4 T-GDi gasoline (UK) |
| 2017 | 247 | i30 N standard |
| 2017 | 271 | i30 N Performance |
| 2020 | 158 | 1.5 T-GDI 48V N Line (UK) |
Versions
11 versions worth knowing, with their power.
-
Standard
i30cw / Estate / Tourer
-
Standard
i30 Coupe
2013–2017
-
Standard
i30 Fastback
-
Standard
i30 N Line
-
Performance
i30 Turbo
2015–2017
183 hp -
Performance
i30 N (standard)
247 hp -
Performance
i30 N Performance
-
Performance
i30 Fastback N
-
Limited
i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition
800 built
-
Limited
i30 N Project C
2019
271 hp600 built
-
Limited
i30 N First Edition
2017
271 hp100 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
- June 2010
FD facelift: reshaped nose with a hexagonal grille and a revised rear bumper.14
- 2015
GD gets a revised hexagonal grille and subtly restyled taillights; bi-xenon headlights become available on selected versions.16
- 2020
Hatchback: wider 3D-pattern grille, slimmer V-signature lights, reshaped rear bumper, V-shaped rear LEDs and new 16-/17-inch alloys.13
- 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
- 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
- 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

i30 
Hyundai Veloster N Hyundai Veloster N
Count the side doors: the i30 N has four, while the Veloster N has three.2
Against its rivals
Prices
Value today $19.5K–$44.2K9
Show the numbers
| Year | Price | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Launch price | $20,742 | Germany base, 2007; approx. $1.37 per euro |
| 2007 | Price when new | $20,742 | Germany 1.4 Classic; approx. $1.37/€ |
| 2012 | Price when new | $23,047 | UK Classic; approx. $1.59/£ |
| 2017 | Price when new | $21,924 | UK S 1.0 T-GDi; approx. $1.29/£ |
| 2017 | Price when new | $30,309 | UK Premium SE; approx. $1.29/£ |
| 2018 | Price when new | $27,900 | UK base, N; printed USD |
| 2018 | Price when new | $31,400 | UK N Performance; printed USD |
| 2020 | Price when new | $41,474 | South Africa N 6MT; approx. $0.061/R |
| 2022 | Price when new | $45,744 | South Africa N 8DCT; approx. $0.061/R |
| 2025 | Price when new | $47,538 | South Africa N; approx. $0.056/R |
| 2026 | Auction sale | $390 | 2012-reg Active, 127,794 mi; Cat N, £300 hammer, MST Auctioneers |
| 2026 | Value 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
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
- Vehicle History 2000 i30 | Corporate | Footer - Hyundai Worldwide hyundai.com
- 2018 Hyundai i30 N First Drive | Review | Car and Driver caranddriver.com
- Hyundai i30 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- New-generation i30 to make world debut at 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show - Hyundai Motor Company news.cision.com
- Le prix et l’équipement de la i30 Turbo dévoilés news.hyundai.be
- Bolder and more high-tech: i30 gets update hyundai.news
- Hyundai Motor UK announce New Generation i30 pricing & specifications hyundai.news
- Shift the moment: new Hyundai i30 N enhanced for maximum driving fun hyundai.news
- Hyundai i30 N (2017 - 2024) review – the bargain Civic Type R rival | evo evo.co.uk
- i30 N Project C Premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show | Hyundai N hyundai-n.com
- Hyundai i30 N, i20 N hot hatches axed in Europe, safe for Australia whichcar.com.au
- Hyundai i30 N (2020-2025) Buyer's Guide cars.co.za
- New Hyundai i30: sleeker, safer, and more efficient hyundai.news
- Hyundai i30 (FD) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
- New (2017-2020) Hyundai i30 Tourer Review | Drive, Specs & Pricing | Carwow carwow.co.uk
- Hyundai i30 (GD) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
- Hyundai i30 N und i30 Fastback: Einmal sportlich, einmal schick autohaus.de
- Spice up your driveway: Hyundai unveils the New i30 N Line hyundai.news
- i30 N | Drive-N Limited Edition | Hyundai Motor Europe hyundai.com
- Suunnittelijat kertovat - Hyundai hyundai.fi
- Hyundai i30 N vs VW Golf GTI vs Peugeot 308 GTi review | evo evo.co.uk
- Wheels Interview: Albert Biermann, from M to N whichcar.com.au
- I30 N TCR – BRC Racing Team brcracingteam.com
- Hyundai i30 N TCR customers score FIA WTCR title double in Macau* hyundai.news
- Hyundai i30 N TCR Customers Take Second WTCR Title | Hyundai N hyundai-n.com
- Discover Your Next Daily Racer in Forza Motorsport forza.net
- Used Hyundai i30 (Mk2, 2012-2017) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
- Hyundai i30 used car review | RACV racv.com.au
- Hyundai i30 prices announced | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
- Hyundai i30 Active Blue Drive CRD,Registration number: EN12 ONB,V5: Present,Odometer reading: 127,79 mstauctioneers.co.uk
- 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
- Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
