Hyundai i30 N Performance: PH Fleet
PH's resident family-sized hot hatch has been on holiday. Not with an actual family, mind. But the next best thing
The i30 N has been quietly (exhaust tone aside) etching its likeable character into the minds of PH's staffers, and is well on the way to becoming our preferred all-rounder. We're just a few weeks in but already it's proved to be equally well-equipped for a dreary slog through London's traffic hotspots as it is at sampling the jaw droppingly gorgeous coastal roads of Cornwall's western perimeter - as this PHer found out during a recent four-day holiday there with friends.
On the outbound journey there were four of us packed into it, with a boot full of luggage behind. A time-honoured usability test then - and you know what, the i30 did a fine job of mimicking its arch rival, the Golf GTI. It sat happily with the cruise control on and climate control set just so, and, to be honest, it was a very comfortable place to be for four hours. From behind the wheel I can't actually think of a more effortless car to drive in this segment, largely because the i30 N's standard-fit lane keep assist technology leaves it a step ahead of the rest for ease of use. Such a system - which can essentially steer the car on a laned motorway so the driver's inputs are lessened - is unlikely to appeal to set-jawed PHers (what with it being the first step toward autonomy) but on a mundane motorway route it really does reduce driver fatigue.
Other things to note: after 120 miles my passengers didn't agree that the exhaust should remain in the (admittedly rather anti-social) Sport+ setting for the entire trip. Apparently it was too droney for the two (wimps) in the back, so the hushed Normal mode was voted in. We did at least agree that the i30 N rode nicely on the motorway, although it never gets to that cushioned, supple state that a DCC-equipped VW Golf GTI can do in Comfort mode. But then perhaps that's to be expected in a car with a top performance setting - N Mode - that, with four in the car, is akin to throwing a pair of trainers into the tumble dryer. The middle ground Sport setting was actually pretty good even with so many passengers aboard, but Normal won the day here, too.
That was until I managed to shelve a couple of passengers into the other cars included on our trip. Now with just two onboard Sport mode felt well suited to the B-roads that dart and twist around Cornwall's topography, while the 275hp engine felt potent and muscular again (350kg of human cargo having somewhat hampered its responses). This experience confirms that the i30 N has, without doubt, the broadest character of any car in its class. The earlier Golf GTI-mimicking cruising personality was now replaced by a thuggish temperament that no hot Golf or even razor-sharp Civic Type R can match. Am I tired of the pops, crackles and gargles of the exhaust yet? Not one bit.
No surprise then that the i30 N commanded the highest fuel bill of the trip - by some distance. Our trip computer claimed an economy of 29mpg after just over 800 miles across the four days, even when using the two accompanying diesel hatchbacks as pace-setters. The highest we saw was 35mpg, but on most of the technical A-roads the figure was closer to, ahem, 22mpg.
Yet, despite being faced with the prospect of contributing to a higher fuel bill, everyone on our trip not automatically tied to a car wanted to ride in the i30 N. For a group containing only a couple of other car enthusiasts, that speaks volumes about the easy-to-like character of the Hyundai. More importantly, I'm not convinced a Golf GTI would have received as much affection in the same circumstances.
Car: Hyundai i30 N Performance
On fleet since: August 2018
Run by: Sam Sheehan
List price new: £28,010 (As tested £28,895 comprising £300 for winter pack and £585 for metallic Clean Slate paint).
Last month at a glance: The i30 N is already getting under our skin, but our love for its most thuggish mode means it's also developing quite a drinking habit
Sounded and looked good!Sporty exhausts can be great fun. They are not so much fun droning away for the duration of a long motorway journey. Last month I drove from Central Scotland to Cork in the South of Ireland and back then the next week did a return trip to Manchester. The I30 N in quiet mode would have been perfect for such road trips.
Before experiencing the I30N and coming from a Golf R myself I was extremely sceptical of the Hyundai and thought all the great reviews were just paid for promotions and favourable reflections of large advertising campaign spends. I mean how can a Hyundai come out of nowhere and knock Type R's, Renaultsports, GTIs etc off their perch?
Well they well and truly have done! Yes a Golf R may launch better, yes a Type R may be faster round a track, objectively the I30N is trumped in most areas, but it's got more character and soul than the lot of them. From the way it turns in to the incredible sounding exhaust, the I30N is intoxicating. I find myself driving my "Ultimate Golf" and wishing I was in a cheaper Hyundai, who'd have thought I'd ever say that.
If you haven't tried an N I implore you to do so, you'll be hooked.
Sporty exhausts can be great fun. They are not so much fun droning away for the duration of a long motorway journey. Last month I drove from Central Scotland to Cork in the South of Ireland and back then the next week did a return trip to Manchester. The I30 N in quiet mode would have been perfect for such road trips.
It does everything well - but that to me just seems dull - maybe I'm just too old school, and the discussion about horse power (or too much) has been ongoing for some time, but at times I think i had more fun in my rover 25 1.4 as I had to rev the nuts off it to make a decent pace, obviously doesn't handle as well as current cars, but was good fun!
you hear similar storier about the 500 Abarths. tiny cars tiny engines huge grins.
if you have a family to haul about then I can see the appeal of this N.
Agree completely; the original i20 WRC car looked brilliant and I never understood why they didn't make a hot-hatch road version. It's also refreshing to see a press car that doesn't have (or, apparently, need) £5k of options thrown at it to make it a respectable spec.
The pricing structure is refreshing as well, after the options list obsessed German manufacturers. Apart from some paint colours and a winter pack, everything comes as standard. What's more it feels well put together, and the Millbrook event shows it can take plenty of abuse as well. The cars were doing hard launches and being flung around the Alpine handling course all day, and nothing (obviously) broke or fell off.
If these don't sell by the boatload, it will be a genuine shame.
Motorway, back roads, it does everything well and putting up against our GT86 the Torque makes a huge difference with pulling power as it would considering the 86 lacks much torque.
I love both cars for different reasons. the 86 for the RWD and just how well it drives, handles and comfort on the long tours I have taken it over the last 4 years of ownership.
The i30 sound great, pulls like a train and handles very well. Only thing i'm not a big fan of is FWD cars after years of RWD.
Both great cars in their own way. And having test rode the i30N and new Golf GTI for the money i'm glad we went for the i30N. yes the cabin is not to the level of quality the GTI has but I can live with that
Only issue we have has was a bad knock from the rear of the i30N which turned out to be a faulty bush, which was quickly dealt with my the dealer.
Sporty exhausts can be great fun. They are not so much fun droning away for the duration of a long motorway journey. Last month I drove from Central Scotland to Cork in the South of Ireland and back then the next week did a return trip to Manchester. The I30 N in quiet mode would have been perfect for such road trips.
Decent tyres on?
Decent tyres on?
Not sociable if you have passengers but might reduce NVH related tiredness or headaches
Decent tyres on?
It's a shame as what sold me on the 208gti was the combination of a more pliant suspension, nice interior and spec made it a quick yet much less focused hot hatch and just that little bit more away to live with.
I have a feeling I'd love the i30 N. I also have a feeling I might prefer the Golf GTI as everyday transport. Would need to drive both before deciding.
Well they well and truly have done! Yes a Golf R may launch better, yes a Type R may be faster round a track, objectively the I30N is trumped in most areas, but it's got more character and soul than the lot of them. From the way it turns in to the incredible sounding exhaust, the I30N is intoxicating. I find myself driving my "Ultimate Golf" and wishing I was in a cheaper Hyundai, who'd have thought I'd ever say that.
If you haven't tried an N I implore you to do so, you'll be hooked.
You'll be surprised at which car is the quickest. Or perhaps not...
https://youtu.be/Vfhw07KOjow
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