2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N Review

While many rivals have given up on developing an affordable, fire-breathing flagship well before 2024, thankfully, Hyundai has stuck by its unapologetic range-topper for the i30 Sedan, with several key changes set to make it the best we’ve seen yet.

Hyundai’s recipe for the i30 Sedan N is remarkably simple - take the practical platform we’ve come to love and turn its performance up to eleven with a turbocharged beating heart, trick hardware and, of course, a spicy exhaust.

Just how well has the recipe turned out? Let’s take a look at the i30 Sedan N in both the contexts of performance and everyday motoring to find out if it’s the perfect everyday sports car.   

Hyundai i30 Sedan N Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

The 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N is priced at $52,000 before on-road costs for both manual and automatic variants.

The only optional extra, a tilt-and-slide glass sunroof is priced at $2,000.

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Hyundai i30 N PREMIUM Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Have?

The MY24 Hyundai i30 Sedan N comes riding on a set of 19-inch forged alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber and receives an adaptive suspension package, variable exhaust system, upgraded brakes, a limited-slip differential and rear stiffness bar.

You’ll also receive LED head and tail lights, power-adjustable sports seats with leather upholstery, keyless entry & start, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, climate control, seat heating and ventilation, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, cruise control, alloy pedals, and a wireless smartphone charger.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Hyundai’s i30 Sedan N receives both a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display that sits atop the dashboard and offers DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth and satellite navigation.

The unit is packed with special N-specific software like track maps and Hyundai’s N Performance Driving Data system that allows you to create a specific driving profile with tailored suspension, steering, exhaust and differential.

For the HI-FI enthusiasts out there, you’ll be pleased to know that the i30 Sedan N receives an eight-speaker sound system courtesy of Bose which sounds great.

The i30 Sedan N also receives Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services system which offers remote vehicle location, diagnostics, emergency calls, satellite navigation and voice recognition.

Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Unfortunately, the i30 Sedan N does not offer wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity. instead, it requires a wired USB connection to your smartphone.

Even though there’s a USB-C standing by in the front of the cabin, Hyundai’s 10.25-inch infotainment system requires you to connect your smartphone via a USB-A port to access Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the move.

Having said that, once it’s up and running Hyundai’s 10.25-inch display looks great, offers enough brightness while driving during the day and feels fast and responsive to inputs.

Is the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Fun to Drive?

It absolutely is - and for the money, it’s one of the best driving packages you’ll find.

Hyundai has pulled out all the stops to make the i30 Sedan N a truly special creation that will put a smile on anyone’s face.

Under the bonnet, there’s a cracking little 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that throws out 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque to the front wheels, resulting in a 5.3-second sprint to 100km/h.

The firecracker engine is matched with upgraded brakes, a trick adaptive suspension package that can stiffen up for flat cornering while softening down for everyday driving.

The end result is nothing short of intoxicating, with the i30 Sedan N picking up speed effortlessly and tackling corners in a manner reminiscent of a purebred sports car.

It’s also available with a lovely six-speed manual transmission which adds some more engagement into the mix, while the eight-speed DCT dual-clutch offers snappy shifts at speed.

Hyundai’s adjustable suspension package keeps the body flat in the bends while the clever limited-slip differential offers endless grip and makes pushing a front-wheel-drive platform fun - which is a difficult feat.

The steering is sharp and while the i30 Sedan N is limited by its FWD setup, you’d have to be on a circuit to be at the point of understeer spoiling the fun.

Combine that with Hyundai’s customised N driving modes and the naughty exhaust that cracks and pops while shifting and the i30 Sedan N is a timely reminder of the joys of performance motoring.

Better yet, it manages to do all of this performance motoring without major sacrifices as a daily driver.

The suspension, even in comfort mode, is firm, but not unforgivingly so for the majority of drives around town and stints on the highway.

The steering is heavily weighted and the platform has a wider turning circle than the regular i30 Sedan, which means you might have to judge your entrance into a driveway or tight car space a bit more carefully.

Other than those minor detractions, though, the i30 Sedan N is an incredibly well-rounded package that can set your hair on fire in the twisties while remaining well-mannered enough as a daily driver - in the essence of a great ‘hot’ hatch or sedan.

It’s extremely rewarding for experienced drivers yet user-friendly enough to give relatively new drivers a taste of performance motoring, and in our mind, deserves a spot as one of the best affordable sports cars on the market.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

As you might imagine, the pursuit of speed means that the i30 Sedan N is less fuel-efficient than the regular i30 Sedan, though the difference can be marginal if you behave yourself.

Officially, the i30 Sedan N Manual is rated at 8.5L/100km on a combined cycle while the i30 Sedan N DCT is slightly more fuel-efficient at 8.2L/100km.

In our time, we were able to better Hyundai’s fuel economy claims while driving around town and on the highway, though the inevitable temptation of the blue ‘N’ button would trick us into some brief moments of less than fuel-efficient, but extremely rewarding driving.

Hyundai’s high-performance 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder requires, at a minimum, 95RON premium unleaded, though we’d recommend sticking to 98RON for the best performance and longevity.

How Much Fuel Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Use Around Town?

• i30 Sedan N Manual: 12.0L/100km

• i30 Sedan N DCT: 11.8L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Use On the Highway?

• i30 Sedan N Manual: 6.5L/100km

• i30 Sedan N DCT: 6.3L/100km

Is the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Practical and Spacious?

One of the best things about the i30 Sedan N as a complete package is that Hyundai’s performance modifications have not come at the expense of its everyday practicality.

All up the i30 Sedan N is incredibly familiar to the standard car, though offers a healthy blend of special touches that will make buyers spending the extra cash feel rewarded for upgrading.

Its familiarity means that the front of the cabin is impressively spacious, with the low-slung driving position adding to the driving experience while adding decent headroom for tall drivers and a fully adjustable steering rack.

Hyundai’s upgraded sports seats come upholstered in perforated leather and receive both heating and ventilation, with decent side bolsters to hold you in place while accommodating a range of shapes and sizes.

Special touches in the front of the cabin include a sporty steering wheel with a bright red ‘rev’ button for rev-matching and two blue ‘N’ buttons that, at the click, transform it into a loud and proud road-going racer.

Other than that, though, it’s a regular i30 Sedan inside which is quite a good thing considering the i30 Sedan is one of the most practical in the small car segment.

Quick media or climate inputs are made on the fly by physical buttons, which is a particularly user-friendly layout in a world brimming with options featuring touchscreen-heavy controls.

Storage options include a tray at the base of the dash with wireless charging, a pair of cupholders, added storage inside the folding armrest and glovebox and door bins on either side of the cabin.

Move to the second row and while the sports seats have eaten up slightly into rear accommodation, the i30 Sedan N remains a truly family-friendly proposition - something that is difficult to say for this type of car.

There’s more than enough space for adults to get comfortable in the rear of the cabin, with amenities like USB-C ports, air vents, and bottle holders inside the door sills.

The i30 Sedan N also retains the existing pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts which means you can fit a pair of forward and rear-facing child seats without an issue, asserting itself once again as the benchmark for small performance cars.

How Big is the Hyundai i30 Sedan N’s Boot?

Rounding out the i30 Sedan N’s practicality chops is a healthy amount of boot space which means it is an impressively family-friendly affair.

Officially, there’s 464L of cargo storage in the i30 Sedan N’s boot, which rivals a number of midsize SUVs, particularly when it comes to width, though the boot opening isn’t quite as welcoming to bulky cargo as its SUV rivals.

Having said that, Hyundai’s flagship i30 doesn’t offer the same versatility when the rear seats are folded due to the bright red rear stiffness bar getting in the way.

You can still thread the needle with certain narrow items between gaps in the metal stiffness bars, though this is one key area that Hyundai’s performance aspirations for the i30 Sedan have marginally impacted its practicality.

Is it Safe?

Sitting at the top of the i30 Sedan range, the i30 Sedan N picks up a healthy safety equipment list, though there are some key omissions you might be hoping for.

As standard, the i30 Sedan N picks up autonomous emergency braking with vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist detection, as well as essentials like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and lane-keep assist.

There’s also lane centring, traffic sign detection, driver attention alerts, speed limit assist and six airbags. 

Unfortunately, features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view monitor are absent from the i30 Sedan N here in Australia.

Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

ANCAP is yet to officially test the performance-focussed i30 Sedan N, which means it remains untested.

What Warranty Does the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Come With?

Hyundai offers the i30 Sedan N with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

There’s also capped-price servicing for the first five services available, with prices standing at $335, $335, $395, $395 and $335.

That brings five years' worth of regular maintenance to a total of $1,795 which is particularly affordable considering the power on offer from Hyundai’s turbocharged four-pot.

The downside of its pace, though, is that service intervals for the i30 Sedan N stand at 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai i30 Sedan N Worth it?

The Hyundai i30 Sedan N is a fabulous package that has no trouble getting the heart racing while offering the impressive space and practicality we’ve come to love from the regular i30 sedan.

It’s a true performer with a charming spirit and devilish soundtrack that makes a spirited drive extremely fun, while being able to dial it back and become a relatively comfortable daily driver.

For the money, the i30 Sedan N is one of the best performance cars and one we believe leads the segment for sheer driving thrills, practicality and value.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help you find the best possible price. 

Five Hyundai i30 Sedan N Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol (206kW/392Nm)

3. Eight-speed dual-clutch & six-speed manual transmissions available

4. 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds

5. Adaptive suspension, variable exhaust and upgraded brake package