Hyundai i30 (Elantra) 2018 infotainment and interior review _ Mat Watson reviews

Getting Familiar with the Hyundai i30's Interior and Infotainment System

As I settle behind the wheel of the Hyundai i30, I'm pleased to find that getting familiar with its interior is not much trouble at all. Everything is simply laid out, making it easy to navigate the various components of the vehicle. While the design may not win any awards for its aesthetic appeal, it certainly does the job well.

One thing that's worth noting is the build quality of the i30. While it's not quite on par with some other premium vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf or Honda Civic, it's still a solid and reliable build. Additionally, all i30s come equipped with plenty of standard features, including 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, and DAB radio.

For those looking to upgrade, the middle-of-the-range SE Nav model offers satellite navigation as an added feature. This particular car is actually a premium model, which adds LED headlights, heated front seats, and extra safety features like blind spot detection. It's worth noting that SE models come with a 5-inch touchscreen, while higher-end models receive an 8-inch display.

The layout of the infotainment system is straightforward and easy to use. Big physical shortcut buttons make it simple to switch between different menus, and the home screen displays mapping information on one side and media functions on the other. Expanding to the full navigation page is a breeze, and the screen is simple and easy to read.

Address and postcode entry are controlled by an on-screen keyboard, which makes it quick and easy to input addresses or find specific locations along your route. If you need to make a diversion or want to find something near your current location, it's also straightforward to bring up the points of interest menu and head to a petrol station, car park, or supermarket.

One of the best features of the i30's infotainment system is its seamless integration with smartphones. On SE Nav models and above, you can make use of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for smooth navigation and access to your own phone contacts and music. The mapping functions work beautifully, with pinch and swipe movements allowing you to preview a route while also accessing your own phone's maps.

The sound quality through the standard speakers is decent but not spectacular, although the Bluetooth connection pairs easily and remembers your phone every time you use it. If radio is more your thing, the i30's DAB radio is fairly simple to work with, even if it doesn't have colorful station icons like some other infotainment systems.

If you're in the market for a high-end Hyundai i30, there's one important step you should take: clicking on that pop-out banner and visiting car.com UK. This will allow you to configure your ideal car and receive offers from dealers without any hassle or need to haggle. You can even compare prices from the comfort of your own home.

For those interested in learning more about the Hyundai i30, I've included links to my full in-depth video review, practicality test, and 360° passenger ride videos at the end of this article.