2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N review

Sporty treatment from Hyundai’s N performance division has its updated i30 Sedan N returning hotter than ever.

Hyundai has moved from strength to strength in recent years, pushing the envelope of both electric and combustion engine sports cars through its N performance division. Truly no enthusiast left behind. 

Now, concurrent with the release of the i30 Sedan’s most fuel-efficient variant ever, the racy N variant has come out of the gates with new styling, tech and more chassis and driving refinement than ever. 

2024 Hyundai i30 N sedan line-up

Both six-speed manual and eight-speed DCT options run up the same bill in the updated N, with pricing starting from $52,000 (up $1800 on the outgoing model).

A limited catalogue of options, consisting of a sunroof ($2000) and premium paint ($595), can take it to about $55k before on-roads, but a fully specified N still undercuts some of its most notable rivals, such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI.  

2024 Hyundai i30 N sedan design and features

To match the modest price increase, the updated N gets a modest suite of upgrades, with new exterior styling and LED lighting, black badging, and updated safety features to name a few. As the N is only offered in top-spec Premium trim, these come in addition to an already well specified car. 

Exterior styling remains a bit of a love or hate affair, with Hyundai clearly not afraid to push the boundaries of aggressive design – red trim now runs the entirety of the i30 Sedan N’s circumference, reaffirming (somewhat ham-fistedly) the model’s sporting aspirations. 

Inside, the N gets supportive sports seats with heating and cooling, although the driving position is a little high. Taller drivers intending track use with a helmet should steer clear of sunroof-equipped models. Compared to the exterior, the N’s interior styling is quite restrained, only sometimes reminding you it shares foundations with much cheaper variants within the model family. 

In the spirit of the badge, the updates aren’t just visual. New 19-inch alloy wheels – both lighter and stronger than outgoing units – are complemented by refreshed electronically controlled suspension (ECS) tuning, additional chassis reinforcement, uprated steering and suspension components, and revised engine mounts. 

2024 Hyundai i30 N sedan performance

As expected, the upgrades translate to a sportier ride, returning a good amount of feedback to the driver – reminiscent of older front-wheel drive sports cars such as the Honda Integra Type R – without an unrefined or jarring ride. Brake-feel is confidence-inspiring and matched to well-weighted steering. In manuals, the shifts feel mechanical and crisp, however the clutch can be a little doughy. 

N mode, which tweaks the componentry’s characteristics to offer a stiffer, more serious drive, is on the teetering edge of too firm for public roads. On our test loop through winding country roads, we noticed a more planted ride on some sections when not in this mode. This seemingly unnecessary surplus of harshness on-road becomes justified when you roll onto a racetrack, however. 

Extracting the most out of its Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, the N flirts with oversteer near the limit, often getting the rear tyres and driver very involved, very suddenly. This swift rotation during almost all on-, off- and neutral-throttle situations is a marvel considering drive and steering are done solely by the front axle. 

Both manual and DCT drivetrains provide compelling cases during spirited driving. The DCT is faster all-out (we saw lap times fall about half a second with it during our testing, but this was likely due to faster shifting rather than shorter ratios), but the manual’s longer gearing feels a more natural pairing to the 206kW/392Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four’s low, wide torque band. Pushing either configuration to its limits won’t result in disappointment. 

2024 Hyundai i30 N sedan verdict

Tuning sports cars is a tricky business, and there are often diminishing returns as manufacturers approach ‘perfect’ balance. The i30 N, in all its guises since its 2018 release, came remarkably close to it first go.

While the new i30 Sedan N is no major leap in performance or tech, it is an improvement on what was already a great and value-rich package. Any buyer wanting budget performance would be foolish to strike the N off their shortlist just because of its badge. 

Pros: Grin-inducing performance; great value; driver adjustability 

Cons: Divisive styling; driver’s seat ergonomics; invasive driver aids 

Features

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder 
  
• Transmission: Eight-speed DCT/six-speed manual 
• Power: 206kW 
• Torque: 392Nm 
• Fuel consumption: Claimed 8.3L/100km (DCT)/8.5L/100km (manual) 
• Spare tyre: Space saver 
• ANCAP: Unrated 
• Price: From $52,000 (plus ORC)