How does it drive?

The i30 Series II Premium returns with the same 1.6L turbo-diesel engine, producing 100kW of power and 300Nm of torque. With the addition of the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), the i30 Series II Premium now does 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds, impressive for the small car market. Feann Torr from motoring.com.au described the DCT as "a proactive unit that generally chooses the right gear for the situation and makes the turbo-diesel engine feel almost lag-free".

2015 Hyundai i30 front

Image Courtesy of CarAdvice.com.au

Hyundai has also updated the suspension for the Series II, improving both the handling and ride comfort overall. Matt Campbell from caradvice.com.au said, "Over terribly pockmarked, pothole-ridden surfaces, the level of composure that the i30 offers is exceptional". The i30 Series II Premium now also comes with three selectable steering modes: Comfort, Sport and Normal along with updates to the stability and traction control systems, producing improved drivability.

The i30 Series II Premium now also has an extremely impressive fuel rating of just 4.9L/100km. When you consider that all Hyundai cars now come with lifetime capped-price servicing, this makes the i30 Series II Premium an extremely cheap car to run.

2015 Hyundai i30 side

Image Courtesy of CarAdvice.com.au

Looking for a hatchback that's even faster? Check out the VW Golf GTI Performance!

With a range of tweaks, updates and improvements, we think the i30 Series II Premium has gone from good to great.

How does it feel?

Comfort is good in the i30 Series II Premium. The cabin is attractive and well laid out, the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and reversing camera is a highlight. You'll also find dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, cruise control, auto bi-xenon headlights, auto wipers, heated front seats and auto-parking.

2015 Hyundai i30 control panel

Image Courtesy of CarAdvice.com.au

There's also plenty of room on the inside of the i30 Series II Premium, a common concern for small car buyers, with ample head and leg room for both the front and rear passengers. It also has above average boot space for the small car market, 378 litres with the rear seats in place and 1316 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

You'll also feel safe in the i30 Series II Premium since it features seven airbags, stability and traction control, lane departure warning, brake force distribution and brake assist. All this scored it a five-star ANCAP rating.

How does it look?

The new i30 Series II Premium now has a larger front grille and 17-inch alloy wheels, giving it a stronger and bolder look. You'll also notice the familiar and distinctive lines that run along the side doors, curving above and around the front and rear wheels. Another new feature is the large sunroof that covers the whole top of the car in black glass. There are also LED daytime driving lights for an extra touch of style. The overall verdict from us? The i30 Series II Premium looks damn good.

2015 Hyundai i30 style

Image Courtesy of CarAdvice.com.au

Summary

The i30 Series I was always a good car, and it was rightly popular with Australian small car buyers. Now the Series II has arrived, and we think the range of tweaks, updates and improvements are enough for the i30 Series II Premium to go from good to great. With an impressive list of feature and good value for money, It's sure to be a popular choice well into the future as well.

Sound like the car for you? Check out your finance options. Get a car loan quote from Rapid Finance.