2014 Hyundai i30 Blue Drive Classic 1.6 CRDi
Summary:
Awful
Faults:
In only two years and relatively low miles this car has needed;
Starter motor.
Clutch and flywheel.
Paintwork peeling badly.
Oil leak, cannot source location.
Driveshaft noise.
Grinding brakes even after new discs and pads.
... and yes, I drive carefully and service it on time before anyone says I didn't take care of it.
General Comments:
I thought buying this low mileage well looked after full history i30 example from Hyundai would be a winner in regards to just needing a modern run about, but this car has been terrible and costly to put right.
It was trouble free the first six months, and all of a sudden problems started. Used warranty of course ran out by then, Hyundai did not want to know - but luckily I know a good local mechanic who helped out but obviously part cost was expensive.
When running OK it was OK to drive. Nothing special, but a decent car. "Classic" was a basic specification, no fancy features, the car is very dull. Grey interior. Power was OK but miles per gallon figures were a work of fiction. 70 mpg average? Maybe on an endless motorway at 65 mph with the car empty, the best I ever got was 47 mpg and I drive carefully, I was expecting more from diesel. My friend has a VW Passat with the 2.0 diesel and he gets over 50 mpg and it is much bigger heavier car, so why can't Hyundai get good economy from this smaller diesel?
White paint-work started peeling (I thought this issue only affected USA sold cars) so decided to sell it recently - would not buy Hyundai again. Yes they are better than they used to be, but still very overrated. Even my old 2006 Renault Clio was better, despite it having issues as well, but none as bad as this car!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 18th June, 2026
27th Apr 2013, 04:48
So, a month and 800 miles on, and out of the honeymoon period! Pleased to report that nothing has gone wrong, no oil or water used; even the tyres haven't lost any air! Not doing huge mileage, I'm not really bothered re fuel economy, but it seems to be high 30's; more on a run with cruise control on.
It may not be the car for 'spirited' driving (although I think it's more stable than the iX20) but it's arrow-straight on the motorway and fine for me on the average A and B roads. Whatever the journos say, I doubt any normal driver would have cause for complaint.
Ride quality is OK, but no more than that. It's a great pity that - because they take more notice of motoring journo's than customers - makers all seem to fit 'rubber-band' tyres for ultimate handling. Whereas most of us would prefer a decent ride!
At least the Active has some reasonably tall rubber on, and it's a lot better than the iX20 (and that was better than similar cars) so I have no real complaint, even though it's not to Astra standards in my opinion.
Road noise is high on some surfaces, but acceptable on most. The forums have info re quieter tyres, but that can wait; they're no worse than many similar cars. Generally it's a quiet and relaxed drive all round.
The only real 'fault' I can pick out is the uneven panel gaps and generally poor external fit. Disappointing in this day and age. Same as the iX20 and other Hyundai's I've looked at, and not up to Japanese standards at all. Makes no difference to the drive, but I cannot understand why no journo has ever commented on this. The press cars must surely be the same? At least the interior is OK.
Ignoring the above (not difficult), I remain very happy with this car. Whether it's worth the list £17,100 I don't know - not cheap for a mid-range Hyundai. With this model, I suppose what you're basically getting over the rivals is a free (and very nice) auto box. Price-wise, Hyundai is basically going in the same direction as the Japanese, but build quality-wise I think they have a bit more work to do!