For the purposes of illustration, think Pontiac Grand Prix GTP rather than BMW 3 Series in terms of ride quality. The I30t crashes over bumps rather than absorbs them. Furthermore, the car suffers from hobbyhorsing on certain freeway surfaces and lots of tire thwack is evident inside the cabin. Not only is it devoid of meaningful road feel and feedback, but the turning circle is a wide 40 feet. This means parking in tight spots may require plenty of back and fill if you haven't judged your space properly.
Effort is nicely progressive however, with no tugging off center and no dead spot on center.
Aside from the engine's midrange behavior, the best part of the I30t's hardware is the exceptional braking system. The pedal is easy to modulate, provides excellent feel, and the ABS intrudes little when activated. The result is exceptional response around town and short stops from speed. Overall, the driving experience is acceptable, but not what we'd call fun or refined. At least the I30 delivers luxury inside, not only in the way it's outfitted, but in terms of comfort as well.