Aside from the rather exclusive i30 N, South Africa hasn't seen much of the third-generation Hyundai i30. In fact, the last i30 (in anything other than fire-breathing trim) that we saw was the facelifted second-generation, and only briefly. Quietly, the i30 slid off the plate and rolled into the dark unknowns. Hyundai decided to rather focus on the volume sellers, the likes of the Tucson, Creta and more recently, the Venue - all crossover and compact SUVs.
Related: Top 5 things you need to know about the Hyundai i30
This hasn't stopped the i30 from populating the used car market though and a 4-year old Hyundai i30 can be picked up for a rather smashing price, considering all the equipment on offer. So if a used Hyundai i30 is on your radar, you may want to know what the safety side of things looks like. Here's how it fares:
1. NCAP Rating
We'll start out with the Euro NCAP rating on the GD (second-gen) i30 that came in with 5-stars. The Euro NCAP raring has changed since then but at the time of testing, the i30 was as safe as you were going to get.
2. ABS
It's standard fitment on most cars, so it's no surprise that the i30 is also fitted with anti-lock brakes that help reduce stopping distances. The i30 is also fitted with Emergency brake Assist that will increase the effective pressure of the braking when the brakes are applied rapidly.
3. ESP
The Hyundai i30 is equipped with an Electronic Stability Program that helps prevent a loss of control. By individually braking the wheels and limiting the amount of power that is sent to the wheels, the program can help prevent a spin.
4. VSM
Vehicle Stability Management combines the ABS, ESP and traction control to ensure that the vehicle remains on its intended path, especially under braking. By varying the braking force on each wheel, it ensures that the i30 doesn't nose-dive or spin out.
5. Emergency Stop Signal
Helping you stay safe in an emergency is the ESS. This system will detect when you're braking for an emergency situation and automatically activate the hazard flashers to warn approaching vehicles that your speed has drastically reduced.
6. Fog Lamps
Fog lamps will help you see in poor conditions and more importantly, make sure that you are seen by other motorists when the conditions are less than ideal.
7. Airbags
The Hyundai i30 has no fewer than six airbags. You will get two front airbags for the driver and passenger as well as side airbags and curtain airbags to help protect you in a side impact situation.
8. Strong Construction
The Hyundai i30 is crafted from high-tensile steel that helps create a strong, robust framework. This not only helps protect the occupants in the event of a collision but helps improve handling performance.
9. Bluetooth
It doesn't sound like a safety feature, but it is. Keeping your hands free to do the driving helps you maintain control of the road and avoids unnecessary distractions.
10. Heated Mirrors
Here's one that you'll appreciate in winter when things get chilly and your mirrors freeze over. The heating function ensures that you can see what is behind you and alongside you, helping prevent those nasty blind-spot mistakes.
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