Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
The only engine choice for the Hyundai i30 Fastback is the 1.5 G-TDi petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. Complementing the sporty N Line trim level, the engine produces 157bhp and feels sufficiently potent from low revs, making overtaking and getting up to motorway speeds a doddle.
In fact, that power allows the i30 Fastback to sprint from 0-62mph in 8.6sec, which is faster than the 9.2sec it’ll take the BMW 218i Sport Gran Coupé. Surprisingly, despite being heavier than the regular Hyundai i30 with the same engine, it manages to maintain the same performance figures.
To top it off, the well-weighted steering gives you a good idea of what the front wheels are up to. You can switch driving modes to change the extent of that weight – we’d avoid the sportiest option, as many will find that it adds a bit too much heft.
Of course, the downside to all of the performance-based changes is that they compromise how the car feels when you’re just cruising around. The Fastback isn't uncomfortable, but the stiffened suspension means that the ride is quite firm, and you feel bumps and divots on uneven roads.
It’s also not the quietest coupé while you’re at the wheel. You won’t hear the engine unless you floor the accelerator, but you will be aware of the constant road noise when you get up to motorway speeds. The softer and quieter Mercedes CLA is far more comfortable and relaxing on a long journey.
