Let’s start by agreeing on something – the rise in the popularity of cars from South Korea in recent years has been spectacular. Hyundai has been at the forefront of this and has not simply settled on making reliable but basic vehicles. In fact, with their recent models, these are cars that people aspire to own.
The used car market is an unusual place in 2023 so let’s keep this with new car options and see what different models are available. Setting a budget of £30,000 should keep payment and leasing options within an affordable level whilst being enough to pull in a few cars of interest.
So which cars have I chosen? There’s a lot of variety on this list, and chances are if you are after a certain type of car, it’s here. So let’s get started…
The Five Best Hyundais For Less Than £30,000
These are my own opinions, and you might disagree with my rankings – after all, everyone is looking for something different in a car. What matters most though, is that every car on this list is a brand new Hyundai, with a full warranty for peace of mind, and it can be in yours for less than £30000.
Want to find out what those cars are?
5. Hyundai TUCSON – £29,140
The first car on our list is the Hyundai Tucson, their mid-sized SUV. This car isn’t going to excite anyone as a driving machine, but it’s a good choice for anyone looking at a solid SUV. The Tuscon won the Auto Express mid-size SUV of the year in 2021, so it comes highly recommended.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Excellent use of space | Not the most exciting car |
| Usable technology | Leasing will bring premium brand options close |
| Hybrid option | No 7 seat option |
The Tucson comes with a few engine options including a hybrid, and compared to its main rivals the practicality is impressive. If you’re after a family car with plenty of space, usable technology, and a cast iron warranty starting at under £30,000 you won’t go far wrong with the Tucson.
4. Hyundai i30 Tourer – £22,010
Next up we have the i30 tourer. Not everybody with an active lifestyle has fallen for the SUV trend, and there is still a lot of demand in the market for a solid estate car. The i30 tourer scratches that itch, allowing you more luggage space than a saloon, and giving you a better driving experience than an SUV
The Hyundai I30 tourer is stylish and very competitively priced. Even the basic model has an 8-inch
touchscreen with Android auto and Apple car play. The premium spec adds wireless charging to the equation.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Well priced | Only one engine option |
| Lots of space and technology | Not a full hybrid system |
| Advanced safety features | Bland design |
There isn’t a lot to dislike about the Hyundai i30 Tourer. It is safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient – all great qualities for a family estate. It won’t turn heads, but the i30 isn’t designed for that – it’s substance over style, and it’s an excellent car as a result.
3. Hyundai Kona Hybrid – £24,315
The Hyundai Kona Hybrid is the first crossover on our list. Within the Kona, you get an idea of the progress Hyundai has made over the past few years, and the result is pretty special.
As with the other cars on this list, technology is abundant here. A premium sound system is coupled with Apple and Android car play, plus the ability to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time, a great feature in a family SUV. Depending on the trim level you also get a touch screen display, wireless charging, and even a heads-up display.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Smart modern styling | The ride quality is poor |
| Excellent hybrid powertrain | Only one power option |
| Plenty of technology |
The 1.6 litre petrol engine is combined with a lithium-ion battery to power the Kona Hybrid. It’s a little disappointing to only see only power option, but the hybrid system is reasonable. Like many of its crossover rivals, the Kona lets itself down with poor ride quality and stiff suspension. It’s ok for shorter journeys but you’ll feel this on long motorway drives.
Overall, in a crowded and popular market sector, the Kona Hybrid is worth a look, especially at less than £25,000. It’s not quite Hyundai’s best vehicle though, and we have two more to cover here.
2. Hyundai i20N – £25,250
The i20N is next on our list, and compared to the Kona Hybrid this is a totally different machine. Built off the success of the larger i30N, this mini hot hatch is one of the most exciting vehicles to come out of Korea in a long time.
The first thing you notice about the i20N is the design. The base model i20 is a good looking car, but the i20N is eye-catching. With coloured accents and additional aero parts, the i20N is a far better-looking car than rivals like the Fiesta ST.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Fast and Fun | Not an established performance marque |
| Packed with technology | Interior design isn’t best in its class |
| Top Gear magazine 2021 award |
Performance in the i20N isn’t bad either. You get over 200 bhp and a proper six speed manual gearbox. This is a hot hatch after all so outright speed isn’t the focus, it’s the driving experience that matters. Fortunately, this is outstanding in the i20N, and like any good hot hatch, it feels a lot faster than it is.
Technology isn’t lacking in the i20N – you get Android auto and Apple car play, wireless charging, and an excellent infotainment screen. The material quality isn’t so good, and the overall layout of the i20N could be more exciting. Even so, for £25,000 this small hatchback contains an incredible amount of driving entertainment.
1. Hyundai Kona Electric – £30,450
And finally, in first place, we have the Hyundai Kona Electric. As some of you have noticed I’m cheating slightly here, because the starting price for this car is just over £30,000. Even though it’s breaking the rules, I can’t leave this car out.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Excellent range | £450 above budget |
| 8 year battery warranty | Sector will move on quickly |
| Good technology |
Like it or not electric cars are the future of the industry, in the short term at least. The Kona Electric is up there with the best options on sale right now, with up to 300 miles of range and 47 minutes of charging from 10% to 80% at a rapid charging station.
As with most electric cars the Kona Electric is packed with tech, and options even include heated & ventilated seats – usually found on your premium German models. The performance and handling of the Kona Electric are nothing spectacular (0-60 takes 7.9 seconds) but this is a comfortable, family-sized car.
Summary
There we are – my top five new Hyundais for under £30,000. In summary, we have:
5. Hyundai Tucson – £29,140
4. Hyundai i30 Tourer – £22,300
3. Hyundai Kona Hybrid – £24,315
2. Hyundai i20N – £25,250
1. Hyundai Kona Electric -£30,450
Every car on this list has its benefits, and my ranking is purely based on what cars I would own if I had a budget of £30,000. Even in fifth place, the Tucson will be the best option for many of you due to its practicality, but for me, anyone who wants to enjoy driving needs to try the I20N. On balance though, and for the needs and budgets of most owners, the Kona electric is difficult to beat.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to find out more, check out the links below:
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