Better Than A Corolla Hybrid? (Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid / Elantra Hybrid 2024 Review)

Detailed review and test of the 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid / i30 Sedan Hybrid including economy, price and more.

Depending on where you live, this car might have different name. Here in Australia it’s called the Hyundai i30 Hybrid, but overseas it’s called the Elantra Hybrid or Avante Hybrid.

Either way, this fuel efficient sedan is an arch rival to the Toyota Corolla hybrid sedan. Is the Hyundai better? Maybe not, but it’s in much stronger supply so you can actually get one soon. And at $33,000 it’s not badly priced either.

Rivals also include the Kia Cerato, Mazda 3 sedan, Skoda Octavia and others.

Chasing Cars is Australia’s most independent car review platform.

[jeremybean-hodges]

I think it looks pretty good to be honest - especially from the back. It's nicely tucked in.

[dotadork]

Wonderful review as always Tom. I understand cars better everyday from your work 😊

[XaviRonaldo]

Very comprehensive review mate without getting too technical.

Just bought one for a good deal I feel and overall I'm ecstatic with it. Would've preferred a Corolla but as you said they're hard to get your hands on and my 2004 Magna needed too much work to get roadworthy for rego in a week's time. Plus it's a gas guzzler. Needed a new car and used cars are such a risk especially after warranty period is over.

I'm 187cm/155kg. I needed a spacious car and actually a Corolla probably wouldn't have suited me. This thing though is very easy to get in and out of and requires me to barely have to duck my head and twist my size 12 boots around.

I didn't even test drive it. I test drove the Kona hybrid and really liked it. I would've got one as it's easier to get in and out of but sadly I didn't want to stretch my finances that far. I knew I wanted one of these babies just as you sometimes know a certain person is made for you when you meet them.

[leedaq]

what a great hybrid competitor in our market, would love to see hatch version

[nizmman]

Good to see Toyota getting competition for urban driving. Sad that Peugeot priced themselves out of this market.

[XybrTeCh]

If the i30 is a station wagon then it would be really nice.

[fabianchow]

I love Hyundais with our i30 Tourer diesel still soldiering on with no issues approaching 200k km … but it has to be said that infotainment fascia/housing is ghastly cheap - not only have they ripped the cheap feeling and looking 80’s Nintendo buttons off Toyota, the entire fascia looks like the back of a television! Having driven for days a Corolla hybrid twice now, that car is also very underpowered when out on the open road - it’s only in the Camry hybrid with its bigger engine, that the battery acts like a little turbo when overtaking, but not the Corolla. I wouldn’t imagine this i30 is any different. Good review.

[chasf]

A key to getting decent bursts of acceleration out of Kia and Hyundai hybrids is to use the sport mode which then gives instant full electric motor assist to the petrol engine.

[spiro]

Looks like a decent all round car especially for the money though i don't think i will ever get used to that rear end. My question is, what ever happened to an updated version of the i30 hatch ??. Thanks for the review Tom.

[mr.knight]

honestly for a cheap car only thing i care is backup camera and decent AC and being fairly reliable

[RodneyW]

The physical controls for the boot and fuel filler are a plus. One less electronic thing to go wrong.... I must say that this is an excellent review, and the first one that I've seen which acknowledges that - once the battery power runs out.- you have very little power to get up a big incline... (e.g. the big hill up the freeway heading towards Mittagong). On the safety front, the Americans have tested the car (NHTSA and IIHS), and have rated it as (just) being pretty decent (5 stars from the NHTSA, although only the passenger side frontal test was a bit weak.. and "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS, who noted that the car has some issues with safety belt placement in a crash for rear set passengers).

[therealjeffg]

Great review thanks Tom. Good to see a serious hybrid challenger. Hate the rear end design. Too many angles.

[vinsonthum]

A very good review as always. Is there any chance to have a comparison with Civic Hybrid? I know Civic Hybrid is at the other end of the spectrum in term of specs, features and pricing. Just interested to know in term of the drivability, overall packages (interior space and all).

[jameswong]

I really enjoyed the car's comfort and handling. The hybrid system is pretty perky going off from standstill too. I agree though, at speeds above 80 km/h the sound insulation isn't all that great. Definitely a car that works best in the city or suburbs.

[ELEKo.O]

for driving Uber or Didi you need ANCAP safety rating but this i30 Hybrid will dont have one so its undriveable im correct?

[VikramDattu]

Hyundai Verna in Indian Market, the sibling of this car has got 5 star NCAP rating.

[daineseboy]

That front number plate mount is very high haha.

[XYang]

Will there be a station wagon version? Thank you.

[MrBobegregg]

Do these Hyundai’s continue to have the same engine as the thousands of Hyundai’s with blown SETA2 engines ? The way they have handled that problem has put me off for life

[alwaysright]

Its not ANCAP rated so you will never see it used for Uber and other rideshare companies...