Hyundai’s cracking good 2020 I30N Driven

Hyundai’s first attempt at the hot hatch may have been a laughable and offensive statement a few years ago- But with’M’ Car Royalty Albert Biermann has the helm of development for the N division, the culmination doesn’t only serve as a massive surprise. It leads to the enormous question do you need a Golf?

With South Africa traditionally being late to the most automotive parties, the I30N arrived three years after its European debut. So late infact that the facelifted version with more power, a new 8-Speed DCT transmission option and extensive revisions to the driving experience is imminent. The I30N finally having arrived with a selling price of R679 900, it places itself at the very top of the FWD hot hatches. In terms of pricing the approach taken by Hyundai in Europe, cant be said for our market. Surpassing the R635k Megane RS280 CUP and the R620k required for the standard version of the Golf GTI, and interestingly just piping the Limited edition Golf TCR priced at R 675700. You see in Europe the I30N smashes all its rivals by a significant margin yet still fails to capture the hearts of enthusiasts and after having spent a week behind the week, one wonders why?

2020 Hyundai I30N: Exterior Styling

The I30 range having is a rather attractive base, to begin with, sadly locally we didn’t see this model, but the sporty charisma is subtly suggested. Mainly through denoting the newly formed ‘N’ nomenclature means larger 19-inch alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish, lower ride height. At the rear boot spoiler with triangular integrated brake light and a twin exit exhaust and rear bumper with a defuser style rear valance. Comparatively the Hyundai doesn’t flex its might as one would expect a hot hatch to and could be considered a bit understated in a world of wild Civic Type R rear wings and triple exhaust set-ups. Even finished in a more outlandish Red Colour it still could easily a miss in a parking lot.

2020 Hyundai I30N: Interior, Design and Spec

Internally the same whispered athleticism is again carried through with the typical loud and brash Hot Hatchery lacking once again. Climbing into the cabin and the suede and leather electric and heated seats are the only significant clue behind the sporting credentials. The medium-sized heated Sports Steering Wheel finished in leather with the ‘N’ badging and buttons, and contrasting light blue stitching doesn’t feel out of place but more lifted from something more sedate. Possibly the largest complaint is the interior feel, fit and finish, which isn’t as plush as you would find in a Golf or the now-defunct Focus ST. Its Very Hyundai and feels it in every way, not very interesting or pleasant to fiddle with but build to a high-quality standard. The standout feature or in fact features can be found as standard fair, Keyless entry and drive, front and rear Park System, Large Panoramic Sunroof, dual-zone climate control and wireless charging all standard. Typically found on an optional extra’s list and with the Golf GTI as a primary rival it has the Golf Stumped in terms of standard spec. The 8-inch infotainment screen with typical CarPlay and Andriod auto connectivity also features voice recognition. Notably, as a Hot Hatch, the practicality element is not as compromised as you’ll experience in other rival vehicles. At 381Litres the boot (even with the rear strut bar in place) is generous and ample enough for a decent payload of suitcases, prams and whatever else you wish to through at it. As with most modern cars, the I30N boasts a Star Euro NCAP crash rating, and the full barrage of passive and active safety systems, including three-level traction control, ABS, ESC, Hill assist and seven airbags including knee airbags.

2020 Hyundai I30N Performance and Driving Dynamics

Right, with all the obligatory consumer stuff out the way we get to the “N” bit of what is in effect a Hyundai- excellent and friendly enough for most in an imposing way to rivals. The performance formula is impressive in many ways 202kW’s and 353Nm of torque provided by a 2.0Litre turbocharged engine driving the front wheels through a torque-vectoring electronic locking-front differential. These numbers are suitable for a 6.2second 0-100 sprint time and the 250km/h top chat. The real-world application of this driving experience is a problematic metier to translate into the real world. I30N is appropriately impressive. The engine notes are raspy, throaty and yet not overbearing and dominating like in other rival vehicles. The first three ratios provide for some rapid movement and progress is massive, and speeds climb increasingly alarmingly when on full chat. The front end grip is incredibly impressive, and the ‘jump in and be quick’ unit of measurement is thoroughly shocking. Cornering speeds and confidence is perfect, and it’s easy to push very hard without the nose, making the nose wide. The front end grip is seemingly unshakeable with even getting onto the throttle way too early and the Traction control off it doesn’t spin up, which is not a statement true of the GTI or cars with 200plus kWs short of the Megane RS280. The N button and Normal, Sport and N mode, settings for the engine, transmission, adaptive dampers and exhaust. The settings are great and make noticeable changes to the driving experience, with the only setting serving is redundant being the Sport and N suspension, which make the car to firm and too aggressive for our roads(much like the Type R and Megane RS).

The I30N is more of a GTI than the VW is, comfortable, brisk as all heck and old school cool with the manual gearbox with auto rev-matching that is very effective and makes you feel like your a rally champ. Fuel consumption is fair with 11.1L/100 at its best, a number which can climb to well into V8 territory when pressing on. Most promising, the systems can be turned off, and some heel-toe’s can be done the old fashioned way, and the connection without the computers and assistance is easy, and this makes this a rather bountiful drivers car, in every respect.

When driven with a serious ferociousness this why is the same question I have about the main rival to this vehicle the GTI. Even in TCR guise is not as sharp and eager on turn-in and exit, front end grip is sublime and it’s instantaneous all the time. The build may let this car down, and the audio system, when turned up, is relatively weak, but as the first attempt by the Koreans at the Hot Hatch its a challenging car to question. Albert Biermann and the extensive development at the Green Hell Nurburgring ring by the Hyundai development team makes for some rousing N badged cars in the future. 

See contextually to anyone that knows a little about BMW’s M Division is the man that was primarily responsible for most of the iconic M cars from 1983 through till he left in 2015. This means he knows a thing or two about how to make a car drive phenomenally and helping in the development of a standard car and enriching the performance from normal variations of production motorcars. This combined with the financial might of Hyundai dawned, the first of what will be many “N” badged cars with the Kona N SUV already in development. 

2020 Hyundai I30N VS Golf GTI

The greatest let down to the I30N in South Africa is arguably the build quality. Not at the same level as the Golf and materials are not as high standard but and this is an unquestionable but. The I30N is beyond most of the vehicles it aims to compete with in every way, the package of a daily driven hot hatch is unrivalled. The sadness that is vehicle car pricing and exchange rates means its priced firm aside from this one should understand the service and warranty options are immense value for a performance car with heightened costs of ownership. Included in the list price is a warranty 7 years/200 000 km, and a service plan 5 yrs or 75 000 km this thing should be doing a bit better than it is. Sorry GTI fans you may be in serious trouble here.

2020 Hyundai I30N Price in South Africa

Priced at R 679 900 and with no options in sight the price is more than fair, and a good attempt at capturing the market is a pity it took this long to reach SA because it may have done better, but again it deserves a spot on the podium albeit not at the top spot, but it’s up there.