Hyundai i30N - 3 and a half
Discussion
I see autocar performed a full road test of the Hyundai i30N - it gets just 3.5 Stars.
When this car was launched loads of people on the ph forum talking utter nonsense about how this rewrites the hot hatch rulebook, best hot hatch ever, the Korean makers are way better in every way to the German manufactures etc. etc. etc.
Also, in Autocar’s performance car of the year [AND evo mag's, Top Gear's - basically every single publication] it was beaten by all other hot hatches tested - including the Civic Type R and even the Golf GTI [which has been out years and due to be replaced in not too distant future]
So, while the Hyundai i30N is a good car - I am not saying it bad I quite like it and would happily drive one - but all the people on here saying it [and the Kia Stinger] are immediately the best in class better and than all the German rivals but in reality they are far from it.
Kia and Hyundai used to be terrible cars, this is no longer the case, they are now average cars - nothing more, nothing less
They used to be cheap but they are now just averagely priced – sadly negating lots of advantages they used to have.
When this car was launched loads of people on the ph forum talking utter nonsense about how this rewrites the hot hatch rulebook, best hot hatch ever, the Korean makers are way better in every way to the German manufactures etc. etc. etc.
Also, in Autocar’s performance car of the year [AND evo mag's, Top Gear's - basically every single publication] it was beaten by all other hot hatches tested - including the Civic Type R and even the Golf GTI [which has been out years and due to be replaced in not too distant future]
So, while the Hyundai i30N is a good car - I am not saying it bad I quite like it and would happily drive one - but all the people on here saying it [and the Kia Stinger] are immediately the best in class better and than all the German rivals but in reality they are far from it.
Kia and Hyundai used to be terrible cars, this is no longer the case, they are now average cars - nothing more, nothing less
They used to be cheap but they are now just averagely priced – sadly negating lots of advantages they used to have.
Willy Nilly said:
What's their advertising budget with Autocar?
You tell me?And also tell me what every other manufacturer’s budget is for all publications while you are it please
If you actually read the test - and the other tests by other mags - they justify and explain why its gets 3.5 stars. 3.5 is good as they say, just not great, which sounds right from reading their test of it [and all other publications]
So say it only got 3.5 stars due to advertised budget is just something only silly a fanboy would say
D200 said:
Also, in Autocar’s performance car of the year [AND evo mag's, Top Gear's - basically every single publication] it was beaten by all other hot hatches tested - including the Civic Type R and even the Golf GTI [which has been out years and due to be replaced in not too distant future]
What does it cost compared to a Type R and the Golf, when those 2 are loaded up with the same level of kit. The i30N's reviews have been odd. Some publications (such as Evo) have basically said it's the best modern hot hatch chassis full-stop, surpassing even Renault Sport's best efforts; some have said it's an unresolved mess. The Stinger's reviews have at least been consistent, saying it's good but not class-leading.
I think the problem with both cars is that whilst in terms of purchase price they look very good value (to be at least), their PCP/lease rates are likely to be horrific compared to the German competition.
I think the problem with both cars is that whilst in terms of purchase price they look very good value (to be at least), their PCP/lease rates are likely to be horrific compared to the German competition.
DanielSan said:
Which is high praise indeed.In fact, at one point, he calls it "stunning"
DanielSan said:
I can’t normally stand Evo but the video review of the i30N was amazing. I felt genuinely inspired to buy a hot hatch afterwards. I didn’t, but my next car will be one
TwigtheWonderkid said:
D200 said:
Also, in Autocar’s performance car of the year [AND evo mag's, Top Gear's - basically every single publication] it was beaten by all other hot hatches tested - including the Civic Type R and even the Golf GTI [which has been out years and due to be replaced in not too distant future]
What does it cost compared to a Type R and the Golf, when those 2 are loaded up with the same level of kit. Well, it depends what are are interested in when buying a hot hatch - standard equipment or driving dynamics?
In reality, it is there or there abouts the same price as all competitors - especially in PCP terms
Even ignoring equipment differences, it's a fair bit cheaper (in terms of list price) than the Golf GTi - £25k entry for the i30N vs £28500. Add the power upgrades to both and the difference remains similar.
To be put that in perspective, that's the same as the difference between the Golf GTi and the Golf R.
I can't see that ~15% gap staying there once finance is considered though. It might even end up reversed.
To be put that in perspective, that's the same as the difference between the Golf GTi and the Golf R.
I can't see that ~15% gap staying there once finance is considered though. It might even end up reversed.
Edited by kambites on Friday 5th January 13:58
I have no opinion on the car, but I think it is worth noting that you used the lowest rated review I could find in order to bolster your argument.
AutoExpress
5/5
Driving.co.uk
4/5
EVO
4/5
What Car
4/5
CAR Magazine
4/5
Telegraph
4/5
Car Buyer
4.4/5
Express
9/10
The Car Expert
8.6/10
Car Throttle
"The world beater that came out of nowhere"
TopGear
"make no mistake, this is a great hot hatch."
AutoExpress
5/5
Driving.co.uk
4/5
EVO
4/5
What Car
4/5
CAR Magazine
4/5
Telegraph
4/5
Car Buyer
4.4/5
Express
9/10
The Car Expert
8.6/10
Car Throttle
"The world beater that came out of nowhere"
TopGear
"make no mistake, this is a great hot hatch."
They're trying to move into the performance car game.
They're comparable to a MK7 GTI, which although great in it's own right, isn't up there with the big hitters, like the Focus RS and Golf R and Megane Renaultsport (old one)
in mind they're up against one of the hardest fought sectors of the market I think that it's a good first attempt from Hyundai. Not as accomplished as a Megane Renaultsport, or like the Focus RS'.
They're comparable to a MK7 GTI, which although great in it's own right, isn't up there with the big hitters, like the Focus RS and Golf R and Megane Renaultsport (old one)
in mind they're up against one of the hardest fought sectors of the market I think that it's a good first attempt from Hyundai. Not as accomplished as a Megane Renaultsport, or like the Focus RS'.
Blanchimont said:
They're comparable to a MK7 GTI, which although great in it's own right, isn't up there with the big hitters, like the Focus RS and Golf R and Megane Renaultsport (old one)
Given that the car is £3500 cheaper than the Golf GTi, one could argue that it's a bit unfair to expect it to compete with cars from the class above that. 
Snails said:
I have no opinion on the car, but I think it is worth noting that you used the lowest rated review I could find in order to bolster your argument.
AutoExpress
5/5
Driving.co.uk
4/5
EVO
4/5
What Car
4/5
CAR Magazine
4/5
Telegraph
4/5
Car Buyer
4.4/5
Express
9/10
The Car Expert
8.6/10
Car Throttle
"The world beater that came out of nowhere"
TopGear
"make no mistake, this is a great hot hatch."
Haha, that is called being very selective - in several dodgy industries, picking and quoting only the studies that give results that back up your product. Or inversely, as the OP has done AutoExpress
5/5
Driving.co.uk
4/5
EVO
4/5
What Car
4/5
CAR Magazine
4/5
Telegraph
4/5
Car Buyer
4.4/5
Express
9/10
The Car Expert
8.6/10
Car Throttle
"The world beater that came out of nowhere"
TopGear
"make no mistake, this is a great hot hatch."
But aren't most car reviews like school reports? No one is going to slate the 'slow' kids - so "the engine delivers a snarling rasp" instead of "it sounds like a bag of nails and runs out of puff at 4000rpm", for example. Also mentioning 'it's designed by the ex-head of M-division" in almost every review isn't objective - it's like giving a kid extra marks because his dad is Lord Snooty. It sounds like Autocar don't like the engine as it produces most of the power low down like a diesel causing traction issues - not a great characteristic for a hot hatch.
Edited by fido on Friday 5th January 14:07
DanielSan said:
I actually find evo review strange - it sounds like a good [not amazing car] but gets a higher rating than cars like Lambo's, A45 AMG [+ many others] and same as the new AMG E63 SBut the evo test was the foreign launch test so a limited drive whereas the autocar one was a full UK road test
Plus in the evo ecoty test the Civic beat it
kambites said:
Blanchimont said:
They're comparable to a MK7 GTI, which although great in it's own right, isn't up there with the big hitters, like the Focus RS and Golf R and Megane Renaultsport (old one)
Given that the car is £3500 cheaper than the Golf GTi, one could argue that it's a bit unfair to expect it to compete with cars from the class above that. 
Regardless of it's rivals, for a first attempt, it's a bloody good one. I'm yet to see one in the flesh, but I do quite like the look of these on photos/videos.
Replacement for my current car will either be the new Megane, or this I30n.
kambites said:
Even ignoring equipment differences, it's a fair bit cheaper (in terms of list price) than the Golf GTi - £25k entry for the i30N vs £28500. Add the power upgrades to both and the difference remains similar.
To be put that in perspective, that's the same as the difference between the Golf GTi and the Golf R.
I can't see that ~15% gap staying there once finance is considered though. It might even end up reversed.
Exactly, its probably more expensive in real termsTo be put that in perspective, that's the same as the difference between the Golf GTi and the Golf R.
I can't see that ~15% gap staying there once finance is considered though. It might even end up reversed.
Edited by kambites on Friday 5th January 13:58
996TT02 said:
Snails said:
I have no opinion on the car, but I think it is worth noting that you used the lowest rated review I could find in order to bolster your argument.
AutoExpress
5/5
Driving.co.uk
4/5
EVO
4/5
What Car
4/5
CAR Magazine
4/5
Telegraph
4/5
Car Buyer
4.4/5
Express
9/10
The Car Expert
8.6/10
Car Throttle
"The world beater that came out of nowhere"
TopGear
"make no mistake, this is a great hot hatch."
Haha, that is called being very selective - in several dodgy industries, picking and quoting only the studies that give results that back up your product. Or inversely, as the OP has done AutoExpress
5/5
Driving.co.uk
4/5
EVO
4/5
What Car
4/5
CAR Magazine
4/5
Telegraph
4/5
Car Buyer
4.4/5
Express
9/10
The Car Expert
8.6/10
Car Throttle
"The world beater that came out of nowhere"
TopGear
"make no mistake, this is a great hot hatch."
Autocar’s full UK road test was very comprehensive and they fully explain why they give it 3.5 – which as they said is a good - and as I said 100 times, I fully agree.
It’s just not the 2nd coming and better than all the competition like some here seem to think for some reason.
Plus it’s too expensive for what it is – in real terms same price or more expensive
Show me a proper UK full hot hatch comparison test with all competitors where the I30 wins?
Maybe I missed it but I had a look and I can’t see any?
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