2017 Hyundai i30 Active – Reinventing Happiness

– By Rod Fuller –

The latest J.D. Power Australia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study for 2016/2017 has been released, with Hyundai winning the top spot, confirming Hyundai customers are the ‘Happiest’ new car customers in Australia. Having recently driven the 2017 ‘Reinvented’ i30 Active, I must say I can see why Hyundai has won the award.

The ‘new’ i30 Active is a vastly superior vehicle to the previous model, with it stepping up in quality and standard inclusions that will please any fleet or novated lease buyer.

For the entry level model, the i30 Active is incredibly well equipped. 16” alloys (and a full sized alloy spare which is still a big thing for fleet buyers), DRL’s, auto folding mirrors, Sat Nav with traffic updates, eight inch touchscreen, Apple Car Play/Android Auto, Bluetooth and DAB radio.

So any aspirations that Fleet Manager’s may have had in providing a ‘Poverty Pack’ special with the i30 Active are well and truly dashed, as its an attractive and stylish vehicle, with a new and fresh “reinvented” look, that gives the i30 Active the look and feel of a car much more expensive than it is.

There is a choice of two engines, a 2.0 litre (120kw/203nm) GDi petrol or 1.6 litre (100kw/280nm MT or 300nm DCT) CRDi turbo diesel. Both engines are 16 valve DOHC and there is a choice of six speed manual or auto transmissions on the petrol engine and six speed manual or seven speed DCT on the diesel.

Driving the 2.0 GDi with auto transmission, the engine’s performance is very responsive and a great improvement over the previous model. It feels willing, eager to go, even zippy and it gives you confidence to accelerate onto the motorway and merge into the traffic with ease. Despite the increased engine power, fuel economy hasn’t been compromised with 7.4L/100km combined cycle and CO2 emissions rated at 173g/km.

Whether out on the open road or around the city the i30 rides comfortably on its 205/55R16 Kumho tyres and feels very refined and composed on the road. The steering is well weighted and responsive, keeping the i30’s nimble feeling, making parking a breeze. Hyundai’s FlexSteer system (adjustable steering wheel weight) on previous i30’s is no longer featured.

Stand out standard technology inclusions featured on the i30 Active are, the Sat Nav system warns you audibly that you are approaching a fixed speed or red light camera, giving you time to check your speed and avoid a fine. Auto folding mirrors linked with the auto-lock keyless entry system, so you can glance back as you walk away from the car and see the mirrors fold up knowing it is locked. The eight inch touchscreen (doubles as reverse camera display) is very easy to use for all infotainment functions, plus in the way it is designed it accentuates the new fresh look of the i30’s interior.

The DAB radio is one of the best I have experienced, the sound quality and signal reception was phenomenal (for the week I had the car, the DAB signal never dropped out, unlike some cars which are lucky to receive it for 10 seconds at a time). Tyre Pressure Monitor System, allowing you to check your tyre pressures from the driver’s seat, whilst I’ve seen these on many cars before, I’ve never seen it on an entry level model.

Active safety systems on the i30 Active include, ABS, Traction control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Vehicle Stability Management. Other driver aids though such as Lane Change Assist, Forward Collision Warning and Blind Spot Detection remain the preserve of the upper model variants. Other ‘niceties’ lost from the previous model Active include the rear 12V outlet (which is now only available in the Premium model) and the quirky glove box cooler, that pumped cool air from the air conditioner into the glove box to kelp your drink cool.

Hyundai’s Auto Link app is also available for the new i30. Download the app onto your smart phone and connect it via Bluetooth to the car. (Bluetooth sound quality is very good and connectivity is simple and easy to use). Once connected the app on your smart phone allows you to monitor and provide analytical information on the cars performance, track its usage history, conduct vehicle health checks and even book your next service. It can also provide valuable information to Fleet Managers and drivers on how to optimise the best performance out of the i30 – Brilliant!

The new reinvented i30 Active, exciting, fresh new look, well featured and an easy driving comfortable car. Combined with a five year unlimited km warranty, 24/7 roadside assistance plans and knowing Hyundai’s customers are the happiest in Australia, it all makes sense. Drive the i30 Active – Be Happy !

What does it look like as a Novated Lease?

This data is from the 2018 Novated Leasing Guide produced by Fleet Auto News.