Hybrid at last! Updates to Hyundai's 2024 i30 Sedan finally put it in league with the Toyota Corolla, but what else has changed?

Hyundai has announced its updated 2024 i30 Sedan range will feature a new hybrid drivetrain alongside a tweaked and expanded model range.

The i30 Sedan range now consists of three drivetrain options across five variants, with minor tweaks to styling and upgraded standard equipment to go with marginally higher prices.

The three drivetrain options include two carryover units, the entry-level 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine (110kW/180Nm) and the 1.6-litre turbocharged four (150kW/265Nm), as well as the new 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid (104kW/265Nm combined).

Read More About Hyundai I30

Sold out! Hyundai stops taking orders on i30 as wait begins for new model, but popular Toyota Corolla rival will live on in Australia Best hybrid cars arriving in 2024 Advantage Korea: Hyundai says cheaper electric vehicles coming to Australia take on Chinese EVs like the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora

All cars remain front-wheel drive, but the six-speed torque converter automatic and six-speed manual for the base 2.0-litre engine have both been swapped for a continuously variable automatic (CVT), and the manual option has been dumped from the 1.6-litre turbo, which is now a seven-speed dual-clutch only. Finally, the hybrid is driven via a six-speed electrified dual-clutch.

The three main-line variants have also been altered, now consisting of the base ‘i30’ ($29,000 before on-roads, an increase of $1000 over the outgoing model), mid-spec Elite ($33,500), and top-spec Premium ($38,500). All three grades can be had with either the 2.0-litre engine or the 1.6-litre hybrid.

Most hybrid pricing is yet to be determined as it will arrive at a later date, though the base model hybrid has been confirmed to land at $33,000 (a $4000 premium over the base petrol).

Most variants of the upgraded 2024 i30 Sedan will be available in Q1 of 2024.

Alternatively, the sporty 1.6-litre engine can only be chosen as an N-Line or N-Line Premium, with prices boosted to $36,000 or $41,500 respectively.

The entry-grade i30 dumps the Active nameplate, but now comes with an increase to standard equipment such as standard LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded cloth trim for the seats, rear collision warning, traffic sign assist and an upgraded AEB suite.

Meanwhile the mid-grade Elite adds connected services for the multimedia suite, an auto-dimming rear vision mirror and an LED rear positioning light.

Most hybrid pricing is yet to be determined as it will arrive at a later date.

The top-spec Premium gains parking collision warning, a Bose premium audio system, blind-spot view camera, surround-view camera, with upgraded LED headlights and tail lights as well as a heated steering wheel.

Other tweaked equipment includes revised versions of the standard wireless phone charger and 4.2-inch LCD driver display plus USB-C outlets front and rear, while the N-Line versions get a new exterior treatment, new 18-inch alloy designs and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Fuel consumption drops to 6.1L/100km for the base 2.0-litre engine (previously 7.0L/100km), while the hybrid decreases this significantly to 3.9L/100km on the ADR combined cycle. Meanwhile, the 1.6-litre turbocharged N-Line variants score a carryover 6.8L/100km consumption on the combined cycle.

The i30 Sedan range receives minor tweaks to styling and upgraded standard equipment.

Most variants of the upgraded 2024 i30 Sedan will be available in Q1 of 2024, with only the hybrid Elite and Premium grades due in Q2 2024 - pricing yet to be announced.

The i30 hatchback has been halted for sale as the brand looks to clear its backlog of existing orders before a deeply facelifted model is set to arrive around the middle of 2024.

The hatch will swap production from Hyundai’s Korean plant to its Czech one, which could result in radically different powertrain options and a major price increase.

2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan (MSRP)