New 2017 Hyundai i30 – it’s the new ‘Everyman’ Hyundai

The new 2017 Hyundai i30 has been revealed ahead of a Paris Motor Show debut, a car which looks to have grown up and is aiming to take the sector’s crown.

No one could argue that Hyundai has failed to join the mainstream of car makers in recent years, and perhaps the moment that happened was when the current i30 arrived.

But now there’s an all new Hyundai i30 for 2017, and this time Hyundai look to be aiming to dominate in its sector, rather than just joining it, with a new design that delivers a more grown-up i30.

You could argue the design of the new i30 is almost boring, with its smooth surfaces and quite derivative look, but what the new design does do is convey a real confidence in design and product, one Hyundai say sets the DNA for Hyundai in the future.

The design may be clean and un-showy, but there’s interesting stuff going on too, with a new cascading grill, LED lights all round and active air flaps which reduce drag at high speeds.

Inside looks similarly grown-up – with a ‘horizontal’ design, according to Hyundai – with an (optional) floating 8″ touchscreen, new multifunction steering wheel, panoramic glass roof and a bit more room than the current i30.

You’ll be able to choose from a dozen exterior colours for the new i30, three interior colour options including leather, and 17″, 16″ or 15″ wheels according to spec.

There will be plenty of tech on offer too, with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, Smart Cruise, Blind Spot Detector, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist and more in the mix, as well as excellent connectivity including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Under the bonnet there’s the arrival of an interesting 1.4 litre turbo petrol with 138bhp, the very good 1.0 litre three-pot with 118bhp and an entry-level 1.4 litre with 99bhp. Diesel options are a 1.6 litre with 94bhp, 109bhp or 134bhp, with manual and automatic (seven-speed DCT) according to engine, model and option.

What the new i30 also heralds is the imminent arrival of Hyundai’s first N Performance car – which will be based on the new i30 – and it’s rumoured an eventual extension of the i30 range to include coupe, estate and a high-riding Crossover/SUV.