A hot Korean with hip-hugging comfort
The Hyundai i30 N caused quite a stir when it hit our shores a few years back. Here was a Korean hot hatch with more personality and fun than many of its German rivals. In short, it was a hoot, and for 2022, Hyundai claim things are even better.
There are two variants of the i30 N available, the hatch and the fastback in either manual and DCT dual clutch automatic.
The test car that my wife Azariah and I took for a run was the entry point manual hatch at $58,990. You have to fork out $7000 extra if you want the DCT hatch at $65,990. The fastback sits at $62,990 for the manual and $69,990 for the auto.
The new i30 N gets V-shaped LED daytime running lights, black forged 19-inch alloys and sporty red highlights fore and aft. Grunt comes courtesy of a 2L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. The Series II gets an extra 4kW and 17Nm to make 206kW and 392Nm of torque respectively.
Inside, the N Alcantara and leather sports seats provide hip-hugging comfort. The interior lacks a certain zing found in other hot hatches, but it is still a nice place to be.
The 10.25-inch infotainment screen is a doddle to use and the i30 N gets a full suite of safety kit including a reversing camera, rear-cross traffic alert, lane follow assist and blind spot monitoring.
The sweet sound of a crackling turbo four pot makes itself known the moment you give it stick. Once the boost builds to around 3500rpm, then you can throw rapid acceleration into the mix. In fact, when you work the gearbox in N mode and keep it in that sweet spot between 4000 and 6000rpm, the i30 N is a properly
fast car.
Each shift up and down feels positive and rewarding, and having the i30 N match your revs while downshifting in N mode can let others think you can heel and toe like Haydon Paddon. With perfectly weighted steering, you know exactly what those front wheels are doing.
In the corners it darts with carefree exuberance from bend to bend. The only trade-off is the ride comfort can take a tumble and, thanks to a set of grippy Pirelli P-Zero rubber, there is a bit of tyre roar which can be a nuisance on longer trips.
Such drawbacks are minor when you look at the bigger picture. The i30 N is a hot hatch tour de force and these little 2022 tweaks have made it only more desirable.
Fact file:
Price: $58,990 plus ORC
Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged Four Cylinder Petrol
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drivetrain: FWD
Power: 206kW
Torque: 392Nm
Zero to 100km/h: 5.4 seconds
Wheels: 19-inch forged alloys
BEN SAYS:
Likes
Great power and noise. Driving feel. Grip and go. Looks. Manual option
Dislikes
Ride quite firm in N mode, nose is quite low. Tyre roar.
AZARIAH SAYS:
Likes
Looks good. Great stereo. Love the power.
Dislikes
Tyre roar. Interior a bit bland. Ride a bit firm.
