First Drive: Hyundai i30 N

‍When I first heard that Hyundai was making a sports hatch which will take on the GTI, I found it hard to believe. Look, Hyundai was making a good impression in the WRC with their Rally i20 but, in all honesty, I wasn’t overly excited at the prospect of experiencing another hot-hatch that positions itself as a usurper to the GTI’s throne. 

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It was quick around the track and a lot of fun off the track, gradually making a name for itself. An impressive hatch, sure, but an attention stopper? That’s a reach. Now, though, Hyundai’s N division has hugely upped their game with the latest facelifted i30 N.

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The new i30 N is not to be compared to the base model i30. The base model is a small affordable hatch and it pretty much ends there. The i30 N on the other hand is an entirely new machine. Out of the box, the i30 N looks amazing. It is sleek and sporty and the use of aggressive aesthetic components such as a big rear wing and black side skirts are complementary and give the car a charming yet sharp look. Even the exhaust tips, although rather large, support the well-balanced style of the car which sits confidently on its set of stylish-looking 19” wheels.

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It is common for cars to be bought on looks alone since not everyone cares to constantly recite power figures. But there’s a lot more to take into consideration when picking a hot-hatch. Handling, power output and balance all play a big role in building a good performance hatch. 

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As far as the i30 N is concerned, it has an impressive amount of grip and stability in the corners which is due to a strong chassis supported by a chassis brace in the boot to gain further structural rigidity. The brace is positioned right behind the rear seat allowing for little to no loss in boot space. The chassis feels tight and provides a great deal of confidence. It has little body roll and the ride is firm yet forgiving. I do have to say that the i30 Ns suspension set-up doesn’t perform well with high-speed undulations and causes the car to become light and unsettled more so than other vehicles in the same environment.  Still, it tops out at a not-too-shabby 250kph if you are willing to take it there. With that being said, on-track driving and canyon carving are where the i30 N thrives and provides a confident yet thrilling driving experience.

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Like any hot-hatch, power statistics are always a hot topic of debate among niche enthusiasts, and the i30 N holds its own. It is running the Theta-II 2.0l T-GDI petrol motor, pushing 206 kW and 392 Nm torque. Propelling this 1.45-tonne hatch from 0-100 km/h in a claimed time of 5.4 seconds. Almost a second faster than the Golf 8 GTI, the i30 sounds good doing it. 

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The i30 N comes with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, which Hyundai are rather proud of and I must say it is a great gearbox. It needs a little further refining as the car tends to hesitate before changing gears, as well as occasionally struggles to rev-match seamlessly, but again it isn’t a 911 turbo S. 

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If you are an emotional buyer, it’s good news for you since the i30 N is a good-looking hatch and the interior is designed with the same stylish prowess. Upon entering the car, you will immediately notice the 10.25” infotainment display which complements the design of the cabin well. The media display system provides the owner with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with your typical radio and Bluetooth connectivity. The system also provides access to all your vehicle settings such as launch control, creep control and variable exhaust settings. Furthermore, you have the liberty to tweak the different driving modes which can all be accessed through the larger N button on the sharp-looking and well-designed steering wheel. 

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The performance data system allows the driver to monitor how their car is performing through active displays which show the car’s turbo-boost levels, G-force and even lap times. The i30 N also comes with black cloth or artificial suede and leather seats that work well with the mostly-black interior. Light blue accents on the steering wheel and gear knob add good contrast and highlight the car's more exciting features. There are niceties such as cruise control, a front and rear parking assist system with a rear-view camera and dynamic guidelines, lane-keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, lane following assist, forward collision avoidance assist and LED headlamps, with a few other creature comforts like air-conditioning and electric seats. The cherry on top is the colossal panoramic sunroof. It’s a nice place to be. 

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Before I sum this car up, I must touch on the price. The i30 N comes in at a rather steep R749,900. The car does seem to be around R100k more expensive than competitors such as the Golf 8 GTI, but it’s unfair to compare it like-for-like. It’s more exciting, faster and in my opinion, it has more character than its competitors. Therefore, I believe that its price is justifiable, especially as it is provided with a seven-year/200,000 km manufacturer's warranty and a five-year/75,000 km service plan. 

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It shows just how confident Hyundai is in its vehicle quality. Altogether, the i30 N is a fun, punchy hot-hatch that is making a big name for itself, and rightly so. It’s practical, fast and definitely eye-catching. 

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Hyundai is going to continue making waves in the somewhat affordable performance vehicle market. They might even have me sold, how about you? 

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