Hyundai i30 Hatch Discontinued Down Under: What’s Next for Australian Drivers?

After nearly two decades, Hyundai is set to discontinue its popular i30 Hatch model in Australia. The decision comes as production of the i30 Hatch will cease in December 2025, as per a dealer bulletin obtained by CarExpert. This news marks the end of an era for the i30 Hatch in the Australian market.

The dealer bulletin specifically mentions the discontinuation of the “i30 Hatch” model, leaving uncertainty around the fate of the high-performance i30 N Hatch. It remains unclear whether the i30 N Hatch will also be phased out and for how much longer it will be available to consumers.

The move to discontinue the i30 Hatch comes after Hyundai Australia transitioned to sourcing the model from the Czech Republic, following the end of Korean production for the small hatchback. While this change allowed for the introduction of a more efficient turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol powertrain, it also led to price increases for the vehicle due to import duties on European imports.

The i30 Hatch lineup in Australia was limited to N Line and N Line Premium trim levels, resulting in price hikes ranging from $3500 to $3700. The base price of the i30 Hatch also saw a significant increase of $12,000 with the loss of more affordable trim levels.

Despite the end of Korean production for the i30 Hatch, the i30 Sedan continues to be produced in Korea for various markets, including Australia. Notably, Australia is unique in branding the sedan as the i30 Sedan, while it goes by Avante or Elantra in other regions.

Looking ahead, the future of the i30 nameplate itself remains uncertain. While the i30 Sedan is expected to enter a new generation in the coming years, the long-term prospects for the i30 Hatch and its related liftback and wagon models in Europe are less certain.

In Europe, the i30 N Hatch has already been discontinued, though production continues for select markets, including Australia. The rest of the i30 range is anticipated to undergo another facelift to prolong the model’s lifecycle, with camouflaged prototypes spotted testing in Europe recently.

While sister brand Kia has introduced the K4 as its new global small car, there is no indication of a new-generation model for the i30 lineup at this time. Hyundai may opt to retire the i30 lineup altogether, potentially replacing it with the all-electric Ioniq 3 concept revealed at a recent motor show.

In Australia, Hyundai has delivered 8468 i30s this year up until September, with hatchback variants accounting for a significant portion of sales. Despite a slight decrease in sales compared to the previous year, the i30 remains a popular choice in the small-car segment.

As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, the future of the i30 lineup remains uncertain. With changing consumer preferences and advancements in electric vehicle technology, Hyundai may explore new directions for its small car offerings in the years to come.

For more information on the Hyundai i30 and its range of models, feel free to explore the Hyundai i30 showroom for detailed specifications and pricing options.