Blending speed, agility and practicality, the Hyundai i30 N hatch is the one stop shop for a driving enthusiast’s needs. Launched in 2018 and facelifted in 2021, with minor tweaks in the interceding years, it’s still a strong option.
Along winding roads like the Old Pacific Highway (north of Sydney) and up through Wiseman’s Ferry, you discover its playful personality. The combination of big brakes, direct and communicative steering, and a stiff chassis gives you the confidence to throw it into corners.
The rear strut brace found behind the back seats does rob some room, but it more than makes up for it by giving the car a lively tail end. Round those tight twisting roads, Hyundai’s hot hatch feels like a go-kart.
Tipping the scales at 1500kg and wearing sticky 235/35 R19 Pirelli P-Zero tyres, specially formulated for Hyundai N, backs that up. But it’s very Jekyll & Hyde. In its normal driving modes (Eco, Standard and Sport), it feels like any other hatch.
It’s small, light and easy to park. But, with one press of one of the two bright blue buttons on the steering wheel the i30 N engages ‘N-mode’. It’s here that the car is completely transformed into a road legal rally car that just happens to have room for a family of five.
There’s a 381-litre boot for he weekly shopping run. Importantly, a second button brings you N-custom. That matters because while the car’s suspension has been tuned for Aussie roads, it’s very harsh and unforgiving when N-mode is on.
The “custom” option lets you dial the car into your preferred setup, allowing you to soften the settings for things like the exhaust, engine, transmission, steering, e-LSD and stability control.
Pushing the loud pedal engulfs the cabin with an intoxicating roar from the 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder. As you lift off, your surroundings are filled with addictive pops and crackles from the 206kW/392Nm powerplant.
Capable of making the sprint to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds, it’s mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed dual clutch transmission (as tested). It offers Hyundai’s ‘N-Grin Shift’ (NGS) at the push of the other wheel-mounted button.
The red button brings up a 20 second timer where the car drops the gears for maximum torque and over boosts the turbo to provide an extra 7.5kW of power. There is a 40 second cool down before being able to use it again.
The in-house designed transmission is smooth and responsive, but like other DCTs falls short when driving around at parking lot speeds, where it can become jerky. Unlike rivals though this one does not suffer from harsh axle hop when accelerating hard from a stand still.
Coupled with a trick electronic limited slip differential, burying the loud pedal does not invoke any form of torque steer. The e-LSD helps pull the car around corners in ways that FWD cars of the past cannot.
For those looking for a weekend and daily car rolled into one, the i30 N is loaded with advanced safety features such as blind spot collision warning and avoidance, forward collision avoidance assistance and speed limit warnings.
It comes with standard cruise control that can be used in conjunction with the lane keep and line follow assist to munch highway kilometres. A genuine head turner in its Performance Blue paint scheme, it measures 4.3m long, 1.8m wide and 1.4m high.
If the blue is a bit too loud, Abyss Black, Atlas White, Ecotronic Grey, Engine Red, Shadow Grey and Ultimate Red are available. Inside, you’ll find semi-bucket style seats, which are exclusive to the Premium and its “with sunroof” sibling.
Heated, lined with Alcantara, and sporting a light up N logo, they’re surprisingly comfortable and hold you in place during spirited driving. There’s no electronic adjustment or any form of lumbar support, but you do get a heated steering wheel.
Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features as part of a dual 10.25-inch screen setup. The touchscreen infotainment component sports satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity on a display that’s bright responsive and easy to use.
A proximity key with push button start, wireless charging, an auto dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers and LED headlights with daytime running lights and auto high beams are all standard kit.
Back in 2021, the i30 N traded physical buttons for a touch sensitive panel under the large infotainment screen for media controls and a customisable shortcut button, but you do get the real deal for climate, and the heated bits like the seats and steering wheel.
The sound system is a little average and a reflect of the fact this car is now starting to show its age. There are three USB-C charging ports (including two in the rear), but you’ll need a USB-A cable to connect to your Apple CarPlay or Android Auto setup.
The use of a physical handbrake robs rear seat occupants of centre console air vents in what is an otherwise decent space for those in the second row, but it does make perfect sense in the i30 N Premium. This is a performance car, after all.
One that just happens to blend speed and a raw driving experience with comfort and refinement. In its as tested trim, the DCT version will set you back $60,600 drive away, and is backed by Hyundai’s 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
You can find out more on the brand’s Australian website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Hyundai Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
