RE: Hyundai i30N vs SEAT Leon Cupra 300

[kambites]

Haven't a clue having not driven most of them.

The most enjoyable recent hot hatch I've driven was the previous generation Suzuki Swift Sport. Certainly infinitely more enjoyable than the Golf R which is one of the few other recent hot hatches I've driven.

Edited by kambites on Friday 8th December 21:16

[nickfrog]

ZX10R NIN said:

I like the 140/240i but they're more GT than hot hatch

I totally agree.

ZX10R NIN said:

but if I was in the Market for a hot hatch they wouldn't make the list of cars I'd be looking to test drive.

And it would be your loss. The 140i is a better car than the Megane RS for road use IMO. At the track, things are a bit different of course so it depends merely on your particular use of the car.

[aaron_2000]

Not from experience, but my top 5 would be:

Focus RS
Civic Type R
Leon 300
M140i
308 GTI

If they still made them then:

Swift Sport N/A
Fiesta ST

Waiting to see Chris Harris drive:

New Megane RS 275
i30N

[andrewparker]

Seen a few regular new Meganes over the past day or two, strange looking car, almost a size up on most normal Golf sized hatchbacks. Will be interesting to see if they can make the RS visually appealing.

[D200]

ZX10R NIN said:

My Top 5:

Focus RS
Civic Type R
Fiesta ST
Clio 220 Trophy
A45 AMG

After that:

RS3
Golf R/Audi S3
140i M

Anyone else?

Just to say I didn’t list A45 as for sure it’s a hot hatch (as is the RS3) but I think it’s a class above to all the rest price wise, it’s a near £50k car. Money no object it would be in my top 5 Possibly. But I take an M2 over either of them

[TwigtheWonderkid]

kambites said:

Haven't a clue having not driven most of them.

The most enjoyable recent hot hatch I've driven was the previous generation Suzuki Swift Sport. Certainly infinitely more enjoyable than the Golf R which is one of the few other recent hot hatches I've driven.

Edited by kambites on Friday 8th December 21:16

The DSG gearbox is brilliant in the Tiguan or normal cars but it kills the Golf R and the hot Leons stone dead.
IMHO.

I haven't driven the Civic but it looks so mental that's the one I'd go far. Because I'm 55 going on 12.

[ZX10R NIN]

nickfrog said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I like the 140/240i but they're more GT than hot hatch

I totally agree.

ZX10R NIN said:

but if I was in the Market for a hot hatch they wouldn't make the list of cars I'd be looking to test drive.

And it would be your loss. The 140i is a better car than the Megane RS for road use IMO. At the track, things are a bit different of course so it depends merely on your particular use of the car.

I've driven a few 140i's & while they do nothing wrong I'd have taken the old Megane over a 135i right now I'd buy an S3 over the 140i but that's the joys of having choice,

[AJB88]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

The DSG gearbox is brilliant in the Tiguan or normal cars but it kills the Golf R and the hot Leons stone dead.
IMHO.

Drive one thats had its DSG box fettled with Mine IMHO is as close as your going to get to a sequential box now without having a sequential box.

Love going out on my Bike just for the gearbox.

[Burgerbob]

Mike1990 said:

culpz said:

See, the 308 is the one competitor, in this segment, that i just couldn't care less about. Harsh, i know.

It could be great, it could be amazing; it's clearly doing something right. However, i just don't want one, at all.

It seems loads of others aswell, including the press. Shame. I’ve only seen a handful on the roads tbh, perhaps the badge doesn’t sit well with the neighbours or something lol.

But trawl YouTube the Europeans seem to compare it with everything, so i’am guessing its fairing a lot better over there.

As an owner of a 308 GTi, I rather like its exclusivity! Plus it's a brilliant car. But I'm no fanboy and appreciate that everyone is entitled to their views however I am intrigued as to why people can be down on it? Initially the press were indifferent, but if you read the latest reviews (Evo, Car, Parkers) they all rate it highly.

If you look at track times, then it is one of the quickest in the segment. Reported to be quicker than the 2015 Type R that claimed the FWD record at Nurburgring.

It's comfy and got a big boot, But then its understated and has a Peugeot badge - maybe thats the problem??

Coming back to the thead - it is probably a main competitor to the i30N...

[nickfrog]

ZX10R NIN said:

I've driven a few 140i's & while they do nothing wrong I'd have taken the old Megane over a 135i right now I'd buy an S3 over the 140i but that's the joys of having choice,

And we are spoilt for choice with new cars ! There is something for everyone.

[andrewparker]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

The DSG gearbox is brilliant in the Tiguan or normal cars but it kills the Golf R and the hot Leons stone dead.
IMHO.

Out of interest, have you driven a Golf R with the new 7-speed DSG ‘box? I was never impressed with the DQ250 in any application, but the new DQ380 ‘box is brilliant. I have both a DSG Golf R and a manual Golf R and the latter still frustrates me enormously.

[SteA]

The Hyundai looks like a brilliant car, and I'm sure will be very successful what's not to like about all the choice we now have in this segment?

We all want different things thankfully, I wanted a car that was a quick, safe family car that flies under the radar and doesn't attract attention but was still very quick on track. Remap to 350 bhp, £35 bush and a set of PS4S tyres makes the Cupra 280 perfect for me; nothing else worked for my needs. The DSG box is brilliant (I've been a die hard manual fan until now) and makes being stuck in traffic for hours much more pleasant as well as having the excellent paddle shift for fun and track. The only complaint on the road for me; it's probably far too good on the roads, extremely competent and 350 bhp never overshadows the chassis and the grip. It's an epic car and one I'm just not getting bored of, I am thinking it may get kept and turned into a serious track car one day... I've always enjoyed driving caterhams, M3's etc on both road and track, but a shopping trolley with a DSG box can also be really really enjoyable!

[andypolack]

Jonno02 said:

Looked a little further into this car and the reviews seem pretty good. The exhaust actually sounds way better than I would have first thought, although a lot say the interior isn't anything exciting. Not that the Cupras is either. The Cupra 290 BE I have corners like it's on rails, it's absolutely brilliant. But I'm more and more tempted by this little Hyundai when this car is due to go back. The really tinny crackles are a little off-putting though, overly artificial like the A45 and Focus RS.

The sort of blue/whitish hue is absolutely perfect too. Hyundai could be on to a serious winner here if they discount them keenly to push into the market.

Yeah, I have a 290 BE going back next December and I'm very interested in this.

[Dblue]

W124 said:

Quality writing. IMHO. Infinitely better than the usual press pack filtering. As to the cars. I really like the Leon - of the varied MQB cars I've driven, it's my favourite, bar the Golf GTE. But the Hyundai intrigues - It's that deep sown craziness I look for in a hot hatch. But the Megane comes soon and that car is going to be good. And cheap.

The Golf GTE cannot hide its substantial weight penalty compared to its non-hybrid cousins. Golf GTi better in every way to drive and I'm amazed you would prefer it to the Leon. But lets be clear the Megane 3 was still the boss chassis wise even at the end and I'd be pretty confident the next Meg will move the game on even further.

But it seems the Civic is setting a high bar to get over

[aaron_2000]

It'd be a pretty safe bet that the Megane will be the drivers choice. Renault know how to make a fast Megane.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

aaron_2000 said:

Renault know how to make a fast Megane.

I would expect them to be better at it that any other manufacturer!

[Dblue]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

aaron_2000 said:

Renault know how to make a fast Megane.

I would expect them to be better at it that any other manufacturer!

Agree, though Hondas recent efforts are a close match. Personally preferred the turn in and front end grip, reduced roll and less torque steer of the FK2 Civic (Not tried the current one) vs the last Meg Trophy.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Dblue said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

aaron_2000 said:

Renault know how to make a fast Megane.

I would expect them to be better at it that any other manufacturer!

Agree, though Hondas recent efforts are a close match.

Honda have made a fast Megane?

[ToonFan66]

Interestingly (for me) I had a 20 mins or so test drive in a Performance Pack i30N yesterday in Peterborough. It was cold, think about 3 degrees, and the roads were incredibly greasy but despite that I liked it ... a lot. It drove really well. I really miss manual handbrakes too and was nice to have one again, you can keep the electronic ones thank you very much. I'll be back there in 3-4 months when it's a bit warmer and a bit less greasy for another drive before deciding what I want to do.

I've been after a hot hatch for a few months, ever since I got rid of my fun weekend car (a Tiger R6) earlier in the year, and I've driven:

• Golf R - To be honest I found it a bit boring, completely capable and well made, just no spark, and I don't want to be always wondering if it'll be in the same place I left it or if someone has 'had it away'! My wife loved it though.

• Focus RS - Really sad to report after wanting an RS since childhood (Escort RS1600i was my 1st dream car) it left me feeling flat, possibly it was so good that the speed needed to get excited was too much for me and it just felt ... like a let down. I was a bit sad really.

• Civic Type R - Not bad, dare I say it very nice, but I'm too old to look like I've just ram raided a Halfords accessory superstore. Technically brilliant, but I can't be seen driving one every day, supposed to be growing old gracefully here!

• Leon Cupra - I loved it, I really did laugh out loud at one point, it's a bit of a hooligan, I like the looks too, DSG is fab, the only down side is it's not 'different' enough and I want to feel special, not someone who follows the crowd or the cheapest PCP deal. I really do like the Leon though.

• Megane RS is next to be driven, quite excited about that one too. Renault are pretty good at producing hot hatches apparently

In summary, the i30N edges above the Leon Cupra in my list not just because it's a bit different but because I really enjoyed driving it too, and if Hyundai's N division takes off it'll be nice to have one of the original cars (I keep cars a while, buy them and won't do PCP etc). The Golf, Focus, and Civic are already ruled out for me.

Roll on spring (and the chance to assess the Megane RS too).