AGGRESSIVE exterior styling paired with a dashing inside. The 2021 Hyundai i30 Lively and Elite sedans are right here to take over from the now discontinued Elantra title, and this new tackle the best-seller does a bang-up job of it too.
We’ll dub the physique of this automotive a panel beater’s worst nightmare although, as a result of its sharp, trendy look contains styling traces on the door panels. Your common smash repairer will take one have a look at it and simply order new doorways.
Not us although, we recognize the distinctiveness of all of it. It provides character, and vehicles which are often neglected within the small automotive class want loads of character.
On the surface, there isn’t a actual distinction between the Lively, which is the entry stage sedan, and the Elite, which is the upper spec of the 2. We’ve to say, tthe 17-inch wheels don’t do both variant justice both.
A set of 18-inch alloys with a smaller profile tyre to fill out the guards a bit would’ve been the wiser alternative. However inside, consolation and luxurious await, and each the Lively and Elite are available in a luxurious leather-based trim.
Contemplating the primary collection of i30 hatches, method again when, got here in a bland fabric trim with lacklustre physique styling, it’s come a great distance. The seats are snug and extensive, however sadly adjustment is handbook in each fashions.
Leap within the passenger seat and due to the deal with on the centre console subsequent to the shifter, you’ll nearly really feel such as you’re in some form of jail or cage, albeit an opulent one with out the prospect of punishment.
There’s additionally the query of the inside colouring within the Elite. You’ll discover your regular black and gray trims within the Lively, however the Elite’s total driver’s facet is cream, colour-matched to the seats.
This contains the motive force’s door card and for some purpose the proper hand facet rear door card. We will perceive the motive force’s door, however the rear passenger door being totally different to the opposite facet was slightly unusual.
The Lively has a standard analogue instrument cluster with an 8.0-inch multimedia display screen, whereas upgrading to the Elite will get you twin 10.25-inch screens, one for multimedia and one for the instrument cluster.
Wi-fi charging comes commonplace throughout the vary and also you additionally get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital cluster within the Elite is completely unbelievable to say the least.
We discovered ourselves sitting at site visitors lights altering the drive mode forwards and backwards between the three choices simply to observe the flamboyant animations. And if that isn’t sufficient, the instrument cluster and media unit are customisable.
The cabin is harmonious, particularly with the ambient noises out there on the multimedia system within the Elite. There are two cupholders up entrance, two within the rear, and bottle holders within the doorways. Boot house is 474-litres with the seats up, and 1,350 with them down.
It’s additionally secure to say we’re large followers of Hyundai’s styling.
Beneath the bonnet, each sedans are powered by the identical 2.0-litre naturally aspirated inline 4-cylinder petrol engine, which makes figures of 117kW and 191Nm.
It’s slightly underwhelming, however Hyundai’s 4-banger will get the job performed, though engine noise generally is a bit overbearing. That is notably so if the engine struggles to rise up a steep hill and that you must drop just a few gears.
Fortunately, these engines are paired to your alternative of both a 6-speed handbook transmission or a 6-speed computerized transmission within the Lively, whereas the Elite will get solely the automated gearbox.
Our take a look at autos each got here in auto and we thought the gearboxes have been nice. Gear modifications have been clean and responsive with out the rev-hanging of a CVT, and with out the clunkiness of lesser and extra unrefined containers.
Dealing with is usually fairly good though we discovered that the steering was fairly heavy no matter drive mode, particularly at decrease speeds. We punished our take a look at vehicles with loads of tough roads within the suburbs, however they have been surprisingly un-phased by it.
We got here near Hyundai’s 7.5-litres/100km claimed consumption too, with an 8.2-litres/100km within the Lively and a 7.7-litres/100km within the Elite. Each have been used primarily for suburban driving with the occasional freeway stint.
Suspension tuning for Aussie roads is one in every of Hyundai’s strengths too, and it reveals within the i30 sedan, nearly in order that it comes near rivalling different snug cruisers reminiscent of Toyota’s Camry and the Mazda6.
Hyundai haven’t gone a budget on security both, with lane-keep help, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, blind spot monitoring and rear cross site visitors alert simply a number of the key options included.
The lane-keep help system does get a bit annoying because it defaults to an ‘on’ setting each time the automotive is began, however a fast press and maintain of the suitable button on the wheel will disable it, if that’s what you want.
Costs begin at $24,790 (plus on-roads) for the handbook Lively and $26,790 (plus on-roads) for the automated variant, excluding on-road prices. The automated solely Elite begins from $30,790 (plus on-roads). Hyundai additionally gives a 5 yr limitless kilometre guarantee.
The 2021 Hyundai i30 Lively and Elite sedans are spectacular bits of automotive package, offering a reliable cruiser with loads of persona and soul, with a bit extra room for sportiness and enjoyable.
Our 2021 Hyundai i30 Lively and Hyundai i30 Elite sedans have been equipped by Hyundai Australia. To search out out extra, contact your native Hyundai seller. Footage courtesy of J_Hui Design/Images.
