Hyundai i30 Tourer

Overall rating

The Hyundai i30 Tourer is an estate version of the i30 hatch and as such is a more practical option for those with a family or perhaps a large dog. It has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of design and style compared with the old model.

This new version of the i30 Tourer is a breath of fresh air when compared to the car it replaces, which had begun to feel rather old in terms of its looks.

The design on the outside is especially a step up. At the front Hyundai has tried to keep it looking exactly like the hatchback, but as you walk along the side you quickly realise this is a very different car.

At the rear you find a sloping roofline that looks almost coupe like. This tapers off down towards the edge of the boot and makes the car have much more presence on the road.

The design inside is not as bold, but is still an improvement. It feels well built and uses lots of soft-touch plastics. However, some of them do feel a tad flimsy which was a disappointment.

Our verdict on the Hyundai i30 Tourer

The Hyundai i30 Tourer is a very good car. It looks nice, feels very comfortable and is capable on any road. Above all it does exactly what it says on the tin – performs perfectly as a family cruiser.

Value for money and a feeling of solidity are advantages compared with some of its French rivals, which feel a tad cheap on the inside and don't look anywhere near as stylish.

Costs

The i30 Tourer range costs from £17,495 for the base 'S' trim and goes up to £25,785 for the top spec Premium SE 1.6 CRDi Diesel DCT. The one we would recommend however where you seem to get the best 'bang for your buck' value is the Premium model, which affords plenty of kit and chunky alloy wheels for £22,885.

Space and practicality

Inside, the i30 Tourer has a plethora of cubbyholes to store everyday clutter. However, it also has a very reasonably sized boot that can swallow up some suitcases for a holiday, the family dog and a buggy thanks to 602 litres of space. Fold the seats down and you have a small van, making trips to the tip much easier thanks to an impressive 1,650 litres worth of room.

Controls and display

In the centre console there is a 4.2-inch TFT screen which, depending on the trim level, is also the sat nav screen. There is also a reversing camera and touch controls for the DAB radio and system settings.

Comfort

On a long-haul journey from Kent through France and Belgium the i30 Tourer was refined and relaxing to drive. This was in part due to the very comfortable seats that had plenty of adjustability and back support. Electric seats would have been nice, but this is available on the top spec Premium SE trim.

Car security

The i30 Tourer comes as standard with remote central locking and deadlocks in the doors for extra security. There are also child locks located in both rear doors – adding extra piece of mind for parents.

Car safety

The i30 Tourer has been awarded an NCAP safety rating of five stars – the highest you can get, which again affirms what a cracking family express it really is. It scored well for pedestrian safety, too.

Driver appeal

The i30 range generally could never be described as 'drivers' cars,' and the slightly heavier Tourer is no exception to this. However, it does feel competent when behind the wheel and very refined for long motorway journeys. It isn't rapid if you go for a diesel, and while the petrol variants feel a damn sight quicker, they still don't have the same power delivery as the Skoda Octavia.

Family car appeal

This is where the i30 Tourer is in its stride. It's a perfect family wagon, whether it be for carting around all the kids' stuff such as prams or bags of nappies, or perhaps the family dog. There is ample boot space and storage compartments throughout the cabin, making it ideal for storing away all the daily necessities for driving with the family.

First car appeal

This is rather pricey for a first car, costing from £17,495 but if you need a new medium-sized estate that offers lots of bang for your buck, excellent economy and looks pretty good too, then the Hyundai i30 Tourer could be the car for you.

Quality and image

The i30 Tourer is good looking for a medium sized estate and has excellent proportions. However, as stylish as it may be, the badge is not as desirable as some of its rivals, including the Skoda Octavia. It does feel as well made though and is much more interesting to look at and has a less dull cabin.

Accessibility

Despite its 'coupe' styling at the rear, the Tourer's roofline isn't affected, so getting into the back seats is just as easy as getting into the hatchback. The doors open wide, too, so loading those child seats in will be a doddle. The boot is easily accessible too thanks to a completely flat load floor that is lower down, meaning you won't have to lift heavy items too far to get them in the boot.

Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment)

The sound system in the Hyundai is surprisingly good, with excellent range for the DAB radio too. One thing that wasn't so impressive, however, is the sat nav system. It works well enough but is often slow to respond and at times seemed to take you on a longer route then you felt you should be doing.

Colours and trim

As standard the i30 Tourer comes in Polar White but is available in Phantom Black, Platinum Silver, Intense Copper, Engine Red, Fiery Red, Micron Grey, Ara Blue, White Sand and Stargazing Blue – all for an additional £585.

Trim level wise there is S, SE, SE Nav, Premium and Premium SE.

Parking

All SE models and above come as standard with a reversing camera to aid parking. There are also parking sensors and visibility generally is excellent with no large pillars causing blind spots. The proportions of the cars are relatively small despite it being an estate car. It is also the same width as the hatchback, so tight multi-storey car parks are not an issue.

Spare wheel

All cars, apart from the S trim level, come with a space saver spare wheel.

Range information

Petrol engine options: 1.0 T-GDi (118bhp), 1.4 T-GDi (138bhp). Diesel engine options: 1.6 CTDi (109bhp), 1.6 CRDi (134bhp). Transmission options: Six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed automatic transmission. Trim levels: S, SE, SE Nav, Premium, Premium SE.

Alternative cars

• Kia C'eed Sportwagon Based on the same platform as the Hyundai, this car offers lots of practicality but lacks the style of the i30 Tourer.
• Skoda Octavia Estate A fantastically well built car that exudes the qualities of a Volkswagen Group car but lacks style and comfort.
• Peugeot 308 SW A stylish car with lots of practicality but not as well built and slightly more pricey than the Hyundai.
• Renault Megane Sport Tourer A great looking car that looks chic. Inside is just as stylish. However, this all comes at a price the is quite a lot more than the Hyundai's when you start adding optional extras.