Used Hyundai i30N 2018 - present review

Imitation is, apparently, the sincerest form of flattery. Many have tried to copy the winning formula of the mighty Volkswagen Golf GTI – a car that is practically the synonym for hot hatch – but, more often than not, they have come up short.

As a used purchase, however, things start to look less favourable for the GTI. Due to its popularity, prices remain high and therefore allow less expensive alternatives, such as this Hyundai i30N, to give the Golf a real run for its money.

The i30N is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that could initially be had in two different flavours: a standard 247bhp version, or a hotter 271bhp Performance variant that gets upgraded brakes, stickier tyres and an electronic limited-slip differential that helps to meter out the power in tight corners. You also get an active exhaust on the more powerful i30N that sounds great and even emits popping sounds when you lift off the accelerator.

The handling is a bit of a revelation because it’s wonderfully composed, even on rough roads. Every i30N has adaptive dampers that can be slackened off to their most forgiving setting without compromising body control. Even a mid-corner ripple does little to alter the car’s stability. The steering is progressive in comfort mode and builds weight in a linear manner, while the brakes are nice and strong and give you confidence when tackling a challenging road.

Aside from some purposeful-looking sports seats, there’s little inside the i30N to differentiate it from its lesser siblings, which is a shame considering rivals like the Honda Civic Type R have put in the extra effort to make you feel like you’re driving something special. There isn’t anything wrong with it, per se, because the infotainment system is responsive and easy to navigate and all the controls are logically laid out and feel well screwed together. It’s not quite as premium feeling as it is in a Golf GTI but, given the i30N costs less, you can forgive this.

However, the i30N isn’t as practical as its rivals because the boot is on the pokey side, and Performance versions have a removable chassis brace behind the rear seats that, unless you remember to unscrew it beforehand, can be an obstruction when you fold the rear bench flat.

Rear seat passengers aren’t treated to quite the same amount of leg room as they are in the Civic, although head room is fine. Those upfront will find plenty of room and the driver gets lots of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel. Electric seats are standard on top-tier Performance cars.

Having become firmly established in the class, the i30N received its first batch of upgrades in 2021. Modifications to its nose brought improvements to its aerodynamics and cooling, and power was increased; the previous entry-level engine was dropped leaving only the N Performance, which gains 5bhp for 276bhp in all.

If you're interested in buying a used Hyundai i30N, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used cars classifieds site here.

Prices for a Hyundai i30N start at around £19,000 for a 2018 version. Spend between £20,000 and £23,000 on a 2019 car, £23,000 and £25,000 on a 2020 or 2021 one, and £25,000 to £30,000 on a 2022 or 2023 model. To keep up to date with used i30N prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.

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MPG

Perhaps because they both use similarly sized 2.0-litre engines, the WLTP (worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure) fuel economy figures for both the 247bhp and 271bhp versions are remarkably similar: 34.9mpg and 34mpg respectively. That’s a little bit down on the figures posted by the Golf GTI, but better than the thirstier Honda Civic Type R – although considering that it’s more powerful, this is hardly surprising.

Road tax

Yearly road tax will be at the current flat rate of £180.

Servicing

Hyundai servicing isn’t the most expensive around, but you’ll have to wait until the car is over five years old or outside of the manufacturer’s warranty coverage before being able to take advantage of Hyundai’s cheaper fixed price servicing.

At the moment, it’s the more powerful i30N Performance that you’re likely to find adorning most used car forecourts. This is no bad thing because it comes loaded with goodies such as bigger brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, electric seats and an active exhaust.

If you want heated front seats and steering wheel, then you’ll need to find a Performance model fitted with the optional winter pack.

Our favourite Hyundai i30N: i30N 2.0 Performance

The Honda Civic Type R is a favourite of ours. It is ballistically fast thanks to its 316bhp 2.0-litre engine, has razor-sharp handling and yet still provides a decent ride for a performance car.

If you want a solid all-rounder, then the Volkswagen Golf GTI is the perfect car for the job. It’s just as happy easing through town traffic as it is attacking a twisty back road when the moment strikes you.

The Skoda Octavia vRS is also worthy of consideration if you want practicality and value in your hot hatch. Not only does its boot absolutely dwarf that of the i30N, but it also offers lots of rear seat space and plenty of performance for not much money.

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If you're interested in buying a used Hyundai i30N, check out our used cars classifieds site here.