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2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior

Hyundai, for the most part, is making really interesting cars right now. But the European i30 hatchback, which comes to America as the Elantra GT, doesn't fall under that description.
2021 Hyundai i30 facelift 37 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior2021 Hyundai i30 Facelift Looks Super-Sharp, Reveals Interior
When this compact came out a couple of years ago, we were surprised by how tame it looked, especially by the standards set by the Korean automaker. Maybe they tried to borrow a page from the Golf design book, but they've now reconsidered their decision.

Our spies stationed in Scandinavia have caught up to a fleet of test prototypes undergoing winter testing. And despite the heavy camouflage, we can make out some bold styling elements.

At the front, the i30 sports much narrower LED headlights with a sort of V-shaped halo that's mirrored at the back. Meanwhile, the grille has a 3D trestle effect, which may be similar to the all-new Tucson SUV.

Of all the prototypes present, one has a different set of headlights that appear larger, so Hyundai may be looking to offer a distinct body style like the Kia XCeed or this could just be the cheaper headlight system.

Likely to debut towards the end of the year, this facelift will have to cover the entire i30 family that includes not only the hatchback, but also a wagon and perhaps even the Fastback. We also can't forget about the popular i30 N, a hot hatch that packs GTI-beating performance for less money and should add an 8-speed DCT gearbox option.

Selling in Europe means Hyundai needs to keep the i30's CO2 emissions to a minimum. The target for 2021 is 95 grams, and for that to be achieved, they will probably need to add mild-hybrid technology to both the 1.0 and the 1.4-liter turbo engine. There's already a plug-in version, though it's not widely available at the moment.

The interior spyshots don't reveal anything major, but this i30 seems to be fitted with a digital dashboard and a new infotainment screen with fewer buttons and knobs.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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