2025 Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Review

The latest Hyundai i30 hatchback range hits the ground running in 2025 with a facelifted styling package, added equipment and a new mild-hybrid engine under the bonnet in an increasingly more premium take on a widely-loved small car package.

The MY25 Hyundai i30 range has seen these upgrades accompanied by some notable price increases, while the keen-eyed will notice there is no longer a no-frills base model available, with Hyundai offering in N Line and N Line Premium flavours, instead.

Just how much does the lack of a base model kneecap the i30’s overall appeal as a trusty little hatchback, then, and is the range-topping N Line Premium version worth stretching the budget for?

We got behind the wheel of the flagship MY25 Hyundai i30 N Line Premium to find out if its new-found, premium-only lineup has impacted its mass appeal for hatchback buyers.

Hyundai i30 Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the MY25 Hyundai i30 range kick off from $36,000 for the entry-level i30 N Line hatchback.

Our review vehicle here, the MY25 i30 N Line Premium is priced at $41,000.

Prices for the full MY25 Hyundai i30 range, including performance-focussed i30 N variants can be found below.

• i30 N Line Hatchback - $36,000

• i30 N Line Premium Hatchback - $41,000 (tested)

• i30 N Hatchback - $50,000

• i30 N Premium Hatchback - $53,500

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Have?

The i30 N Line Premium sits atop the new base model, picking up a number of creature comforts to help justify its new price tag.

Bespoke features for the i30 N Line Premium include the heated steering wheel and heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, 12-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, and some infotainment upgrades we’ll cover in the next section of our review.

These features come in addition to all the kit that you’ll find on the current N Line entry-point into the i30 range.

This list includes 18-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber, LED headlights with active cornering lamps, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, sports seats with leather and suede upholstery, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors and four-way lumbar adjustment in the pilot’s seat.

Buyers also pick up a wireless charging pad, keyless entry & start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, an extendable driver’s seat thigh support pad, three USB-C ports, red contrast stitching and a lengthy list of active safety equipment.

Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Connectivity & Infotainment Features

One of the major reasons to upgrade to the i30 N Line Premium is the significant leap forward in infotainment tech.

While the entry-level i30 N Line comes packaged with a compact little 8.0-inch infotainment system, those splurging out on the i30 N Line Premium pick up a larger 10.25-inch display sitting proudly atop the dashboard.

We think the added screen real estate is a better suit for the i30’s premium-only lineup, with the 10.25-inch display offering clean graphics, high brightness levels and decent processing power to keep up with inputs on the move.

Hyundai’s menu layout is reminiscent of a smartphone and remains easy to navigate through submenus and back to the homescreen thanks to a permanently-placed home shortcut at the top left of the display.

Hyundai packages the 10.25-inch infotainment system with AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio as well as satellite navigation and pairs it with a six-speaker sound system that sounds solid, but not amazing.

Another potential reason to upgrade is the simple fact that Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services suite is reserved for the i30 N Line Premium hatch with the larger 10.25-inch display.

Hyundai’s Bluelink connected suite offers remote vehicle controls and information like location tracking, diagnostics, collision notifications with SOS calls, connected navigation routing, weather alerts, voice controls, a valet mode and key over-the-air software updates.

Hyundai offers buyers a five-year subscription to the Bluelink service from the date of purchase.

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

Interestingly, buyers upgrading to the i30 N Line Premium hatchback with the larger 10.25-inch display actually miss out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Hyundai packages the i30 N Line with the 8.0-inch display with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the more expensive and technologically-advanced N Line Premium doesn’t get the same love.

This means you’ll need to bring your own USB cable in order to access Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in the i30 N Line Premium which does, at least, ensure a stable connection while accessing your music, podcasts, preferred navigation apps and contacts on the move.

Is the Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Comfortable to Drive?

In recent years, the Hyundai i30 is a very grown-up and it remains an impressively dynamic little package that can take on even the best in the segment.

The most important change for the MY25 i30 hatchback range remains the new mild-hybrid powertrain that sits under the bonnet.

Hyundai has said goodbye to the previous 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, with the i30 N Line & Premium variants now coming powered exclusively by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system.

Combined outputs for the new 1.5-litre mild-hybrid stand at 117kW of power and 253Nm of torque, making it significantly less potent than the previous 1.6-litre turbo in the name of fuel savings.

While some have been quick to critique Hyundai’s new mild-hybrid system, we think that it feels at home inside the i30 range on a very leisurely ride around town.

When you flatten your foot, there’s certainly less power available (33kW / 12Nm, to be exact) than Hyundai’s outgoing 1.6-turbo but the new mild-hybrid unit has more than enough poke for your average drive.

If you’re really intent on hardcore acceleration, may we point you in the direction of the i30 N?

Power is thrown to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that offers snappy shifts at speed but still provides some awkwardly slow moments at low speeds or while taking off from a standstill.

Around town, the i30 N Line Premium feels totally at home and remains one of the leading vehicles on the road if you’re after a user-friendly package.

The steering is direct and communicative, while the i30’s stout wheelbase allows you to squeeze into virtually any car park while offering a lightweight rack to throw around at lower speeds.

The only drawback to the daily driving experience is the surprising amount of nose scrapes we experienced while driving out of some car parks and driveways.

Some careful positioning can help to avoid these scrapes, though, for an urban-focussed package, we were surprised just how often the front end bottomed-out.

As we’ve mentioned, Hyundai has said goodbye to the previous entry-level versions of the i30 hatchback.

Without getting too technical, those versions received more of a basic suspension system that actually worked well in terms of daily driving comfort and was more forgiving to rougher, country roads.

Now, though, the remaining i30 N Line & N Line Premium hit the road with the more dynamic multi-link rear suspension package that works wonders when it comes to carving through corners.

The result is a somewhat firm ride, reminiscent of its European rivals, though the excellent handling characteristics make for a the trade-off, so long as you’re not tackling long stretches of country roads on the regular.

This all means that the overall handling package is simply fabulous for this segment of the market, particularly with the excellent traction provided by the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

The new mild-hybrid engine is a minor downgrade from the previous 1.6-litre turbo, though,  which makes the suspension and chassis ultimately feel over-gunned for what’s on tap.

This gives the i30 go-kart handling abilities but fairly lukewarm acceleration off the line, but we do ultimately love how the i30 N Line Premium feels on the road and how it welcomes being pushed.

It’s a super agile little package that celebrates a challenge and remains user-friendly on the daily grind, though, we do miss at least having the option of base models with their more comfort-focussed suspension to widen the i30’s appeal with Aussies.

Is the Hyundai i30 Mild Hybrid Engine Tech Fuel Efficient?

Hyundai’s latest i30 range comes powered by a new engine that aims to increase fuel efficiency.

The 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system is, on paper, significantly more fuel efficient than Hyundai’s previous petrol lineup.

Sipping a claimed 5.6L per 100km on the combined test cycle, Hyundai’s new 1.5-litre mild-hybrid drops fuel economy figures down from 7.3L/100km in the previous 2.0-litre petrol and down from 7.1 - 7.5L/100km in the outgoing 1.6-litre turbo.

During our time behind the wheel, we covered 620km worth of town, country and highway driving and consumed 6.5L per 100km.

This means that it was difficult to match Hyundai’s official figures, though if your commute involves more time on the highway, we’re sure you could match them.

The MY25 i30 Hatchback range has a 50L fuel tank and can be filled with RON 91 fuel.

i30 Fuel Economy: 5.6L per 100km (claimed)
i30 Fuel Economy: 6.5L per 100km (tested)

Is the Hyundai i30 Practical?

Climb aboard and, in spite of its sporty seats and new tech, there’s no hiding the fact the i30 platform is getting a little long in the tooth.

This is both a good and bad thing, depending on your preferences for a new car in 2025.

If a clean, user-friendly layout of the switchgear is a key priority, you’re in luck - the i30 retains physical dials for the climate controls and there’s no shortage of buttons at your disposal.

If you’ve been shopping around in some of its more contemporary rivals, though, you’d be forgiven for thinking it looks a little dated in parts.

Thankfully, some new-age goodies like the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and chunky little steering wheel with its flappy paddles help keep things feeling modern inside.

Climb aboard and you’ll notice the i30’s driving position sits low to the ground, with the reach- and rake-adjustable steering wheel and the power-adjustable seat welcoming a wide range of drivers and providing no shortage of headroom, even for tall drivers.

The same, however, can’t be said for Hyundai’s sporty leather and suede upholstered seats that feature some pretty aggressive side bolstering and might not be the most welcoming for those with a wide torso.

Cabin ergonomics are solid when it comes to the wheel and switchgear, though the door sill isn’t quite padded enough to keep our elbows happy on a long haul up the highway but thankfully, the left armrest is padded nicely.

The centre console picks up a largely piano-black finish that, as always, will become a magnet for fingerprints, dust and light scratches.

Overall, with the exception of the seats and steering wheel, the cabin materials used might not look super flashy but they do indeed feel solid and not quite as plastic-y as they look from a distance.

In terms of storage options, the i30 posts some pretty strong marks.

Hyundai has managed to extract a fair bit of practicality for a reasonably compact package, with the i30 offering a covered storage area at the base of the dash, a retractable covered area housing a pair of cupholders flanked by a narrow storage tray and some added storage inside the armrest.

The i30 also picks up a regular-sized glovebox, enough space for two bottles inside the doors and another storage pocket just beneath the door handle.

Move to the rear of the cabin and things get a little bit more cramped.

Adults will have their knees brushing against the seat backs while sitting behind a tall driver, or at least sitting with a monster of a leg-spread, meaning a sacrifice is in order if you’re transporting adult friends on a long trip.

Thankfully, there’s no issues when it comes to headroom, even with the panoramic sunroof in place and we do need to tip our hat to Hyundai on this one because it’s a massive sunroof for a hatchback, stretching well into the second row directly above the rear passenger’s head.

The door sills rise quite high, reducing visibility out of the second row, though the massive sunroof definitely helps to curb any major concerns here.

Cabin width is also pretty restrictive, meaning that three-abreast seating isn’t an option unless you’re factoring some kids into the equation. 

Amenities in the second row aren’t amazing, though you do pick up a pair of USB-C charging ports, dedicated air vents, netted map pockets and a bottle holder on either side of the doors, as well as a folding armrest with two cup holders.

The MY25 i30 range comes equipped with a pair of ISOFIX anchors on either side of the cabin, with three top tether mounts hiding on the seatbacks.

All up, the i30 certainly isn’t a limousine but it hits a confident par for the small car course and remains a usable option for small families.

How Big is the Hyundai i30 N Line Premium’s Boot?

The Hyundai i30 continues to assert itself as one of the most practical hatchbacks in the small car segment thanks to its large boot.

Even with the added hardware of its 48V mild-hybrid battery sitting underneath the boot floor, the Hyundai i30 impresses with a boot measuring 395L with all the seats standing, putting it ahead of key rivals like the Toyota Corolla, VW Golf, Mazda 3 and the Subaru Impreza.

Fold down the rear seats and you’ll unlock a total of 1,301L worth of boot space when it’s time to lug around sports gear or some bulky cargo.

Unfortunately, there’s no full-sized or even a space-saver spare tyre, with just a tyre repair kit sitting underneath the boot floor alongside some small under-floor storage compartments.

That said, considering the i30’s hefty boot space premium over some of the biggest names in the small car segment, we can’t fault it too much for the boot experience.

• i30 hatchback boot space minimum: 395L

• i30 hatchback boot space maximum: 1,301L

Is the Hyundai i30 Safe?

Hyundai offers the i30 range with a pretty lengthy range of safety equipment in both the N Line and N Line Premium.

Both come packaged with autonomous emergency braking with junction assist as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection alongside adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The i30 also picks up lane-keep assist with lane-centring, driver attention alerts, speed limit assist, rear occupant alerts and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.

We found Hyundai’s rear-view camera to be a pretty underwhelming unit for the money, offering a low-resolution display that doesn’t quite match up with its aspirational price tag.

That said, the calibration of Hyundai’s safety equipment is fairly non-invasive, if a little bit paranoid overall, though it’s relatively easy to switch certain features off or change their sensitivity.

The i30’s previous five-star ANCAP safety rating secured upon launch in 2017 has since expired, with the current range remaining unrated by ANCAP.

What Warranty Does the Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Come With?

Hyundai offers the i30 range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty alongside a 12-month roadside assistance package that extends another 12-months each time you service it within the network.

The company also offers capped-price lifetime servicing plans that map out prices for three, four and five-years of servicing all the way out to 21 years.

This is in addition to a complimentary service at 1,500kms.

The average price of a service for the MY25 i30 range equates to $435.20 and we’ll map out prices for three, four and five-year servicing packages below.

• i30 Three-Year Servicing Cost: $1,095

• i30 Four-Year Servicing Cost: $1,460

• i30 Five-Year Servicing Cost: $1,795

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Worth it?

The latest Hyundai i30 is a fabulous small car package that, unfortunately, has seen a rock-solid value proposition somewhat watered down with the removal of the previously-available base versions.

That said, the remaining versions of the i30 hatchback are seriously impressive when it comes to driving dynamics and impress on both the practicality front thanks to its large boots and fuel efficiency scene with the addition of a new mild-hybrid engine.

The latest i30 feels incredibly confident on the road compared to its softer rivals and may honestly take the cake as the best all-rounder in the whole segment.

It’s not without its shortcomings, though, namely the cramped second row and the ageing cabin design that doesn’t strike the most contemporary light, but it really impresses when you get on the road.

Is it worth stretching your budget for this N Line Premium version? We think not, unless a larger infotainment system and a sunroof are on your list of non-negotiables.

Considering just how much equipment Hyundai bundles into the i30 N Line, we’d be sticking with that and pocketing the change.

Don’t forget that if you’re looking to get behind the wheel of a new car, our team of car-buying experts is ready to help find you the best possible price.

Five Hyundai i30 N Line Premium Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with mild-hybrid system

3. Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, front-wheel drive

4. 5.6L per 100km fuel economy figures

5. 395 - 1,301L boot space figures