Hyundai’s Volkswagen Golf rival has received a mid-life refresh to help it face off newer rivals. The 2020 i30 brings a redesigned exterior, more advanced safety and connectivity tech and new mild-hybrid engines.

The exterior has a wider grille with a new 3D pattern, slimmer headlamps and new bumpers for both the five-door hatchback and Fastback model. The sportier N-Line variant is more distinct, too, with a different grille design among a raft of alterations. 

Fresh colours also feature, while there is new interior tech including a 7in digital instrument cluster and larger 10.25in touchscreen, wireless phone charging and a variety of Hyundai’s connected car functions. New safety kit includes Lane Following Assist, Rear Collision-Avoidance Assist and Leading vehicle Departure Alert extending the existing tally of safety kit.

The 118bhp 1.0-litre engine gets a 48V mild hybrid option on both the manual and a new seven-speed DCT auto, as does the 134bhp 1.6 diesel. A new N-Line-only 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit has also been added, with 158bhp, and also receives the efficiency-boosting 48v tech.

The updated i30 will go on sale in the months to follow the Geneva show. Expect the hot i30 N variants to have received the same round of updates by then, too.

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