Hyundai i30 N Performance | Spotted
The hot hatch old school brought bang up to date - and with surprisingly strong residuals, too
Following its reveal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year, the Hyundai Ioniq 6N will get an official launch next month. Which, even in a volatile market for electric cars, must surely count as good news; the Ioniq 5N was brilliant to drive, the 6 might be even better. And even if it can’t reset expectations as the 5 did not so long ago, it should be another great performance EV. Which is not exactly a long list.
It really wasn’t very long ago that the idea of an enthusiast’s Hyundai was an oxymoron, but the N division has proved in next to no time that it can make driver’s cars to match the best of them. The i20N was the best rival the all-conquering Fiesta ST ever had, the Kona N demonstrated there was a sense of humour somewhere in Hyundai, and the US is still enjoying cars like the Elantra N. In less than a decade we’ve gone from having no expectation of a fast Hyundai to anticipating new models like the Ioniq 6 pretty eagerly.
Therefore it’s hard to overstate the importance of the first N Hyundai, the i30. Perhaps unfairly, hopes weren’t tremendously high for a Namyang hot hatch, yet the i30 overdelivered in 2017: competitive across the board, there wasn’t a rival that couldn’t have had sales stolen by the Hyundai. It was smarter looking than a Civic Type R, the interior was nicer than a Focus ST, it was more fun than a Golf GTI and its manual gearbox (the sole option at launch) was way nicer than a 308 GTI. With a warranty that covered track days, too. From nowhere, Hyundai had a £25k hot hatch hero on its hands. (And yes, that really is what a 250hp N cost back then, with the Performance at £27,995.)
Time has done nothing to dim the appeal of an i30, either, particularly as Hyundai has (for now, at least) given up on the idea of N cars with engines in. Despite the plethora of modes and settings, it didn’t need a specific setup to feel like a heap of fun: the sound was great, the control weights sorted, the willingness to be thrashed totally addictive. Across seven years of production, there simply wasn’t a bad one, whether Fastback hatch, 250hp or 275hp, manual or DCT. So you’re definitely not alone in thinking an i30 N might be a good idea, even with a ferocious appetite for fuel.
Again, perhaps against expectations, the i30N’s residual value has proven resolute. The latest, lowest-mileage examples still command more than £30k, and the only one less than £15k on PH is in Belfast and showing almost 90,000 miles. The rest start around £17,000, which is incredible for a car that cost just £10,000 more than that almost a decade ago. Perhaps not ideal for those wanting to buy right now, though it should mean a strong return on investment when selling (assuming, of course, a car like the i30 doesn’t happen again).
This one appeals with the rarely seen Atlas White paint, a full Hyundai history and four brand new Pirellis. There’s even manufacturer breakdown cover until next year. No excuse required, then, to add more miles as soon as possible, because there really aren’t many more entertaining hot hatches. Just don’t expect to go quite as fast as that 6N.
SPECIFICATION | HYUNDAI I30 N PERFORMANCE
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited-slip diff
Power (hp): 275@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 260@1,500-4,700rpm
MPG: 39.8 (NEDC)
CO2: 163g/km (NEDC)
Year registered: 2019
Recorded mileage: 37,500
Price new: £27,995 (2017)
Yours for: £22,495
However depreciation has made the latest Focus ST an even more enticing buy especially when it tends to be ever so slightly faster on track and has a far nicer cabin.
Great car, no doubt, but feels a lot for a 9 year old one.
That said, i just did a cursory check and it seems you can get a 2020 car for that sort of money, which feels more palatable.
Touch points in particular in the Focus are stronger. Steering wheel and metal shifter are nicer. Everything just feels a bit more ‘chunky’.
Looks are subjective but think the ST is just more modern. Especially the tech and nicer infotainment system.
Not that the I30N is bad! Just it’s a strong field the got overlooked with EVs arrivals. Megane RS is really good and the Mk8 GTI got the very good Clubsport model. Hyundai basically came along at the end of the previous generation and the I30N new when everything was old.
Touch points in particular in the Focus are stronger. Steering wheel and metal shifter are nicer. Everything just feels a bit more chunky .
Looks are subjective but think the ST is just more modern. Especially the tech and nicer infotainment system.
Not that the I30N is bad! Just it s a strong field the got overlooked with EVs arrivals. Megane RS is really good and the Mk8 GTI got the very good Clubsport model. Hyundai basically came along at the end of the previous generation and the I30N new when everything was old.
Not for this price, no chance. No wonder I hang on to my 10 year old JCW when it's worth 10k on a good day, most 'decent' cars are such a rip off nowadays.
Shame really as I quite like them.
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