Hyundai i30 Tourer estate - Engines, drive & performance
It’s an excellent motorway cruiser, but the Hyundai i30 Tourer isn’t much of a driver’s car
The Hyundai i30 Tourer is by no means unpleasant to drive, but it’s hardly likely to set pulses racing, either. While the available engines generally have sufficient power, none is quick, and the i30 Tourer is unengaging on winding B-roads, a little too bumpy over drain covers at urban speeds, while potholes at medium speeds provoke too much bounce.
Its steering is also a little sub-par, being sensitive to changes in road conditions and requiring more frequent corrections than is ideal.
That’s only half the story, though, as at speed things improve markedly. The i30 Tourer is impressively quiet and comfortable, so we can heartily recommend it if you spend the majority of your driving time cruising at 70mph on the UK’s motorway network.
Hyundai i30 petrol engines
The entry-level 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 118bhp, and gets the i30 Tourer from 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds. Given that’s not hugely quick in the first place, and things are likely to slow down further when the boot is full, we recommend the 138bhp 1.4-litre petrol.
This (also turbocharged) engine is smooth, free-revving and feels pokey enough for a car of the i30 Tourer’s size. It shrinks the 0-62mph time to 9.2 seconds, which is more than sufficient for keeping pace with traffic. You can specify this engine with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, both of which are smooth and pleasant to use.
Diesel engines
The 1.6-litre diesel engine fitted to the i30 Tourer is smooth and quiet, while its economy is excellent. Go for the 108bhp version and 62mph comes up in 11.3 seconds, while the 134bhp version does the same in 10.9 seconds – although note the more powerful diesel comes exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
