Feisty hot hatch that is one of the best drives you'll find for $55k
Kylie Minogue transformed from the girl next door doing the Locomotion to sultry pop and indie stardom.
This is the car which has achieved the same feat for Hyundai.
Evolving from cheap runabouts to mainstream vehicles of all shapes and sizes, a couple of years before the pandemic took hold a fire-breathing version of the humble i30 hatch delivered a new persona.
The i30N is unadulterated fun which has injected performance into the otherwise family-friendly portfolio. It's paved the way to N derivatives of the i20 and Ioniq electric car. Over the past five years the N products from Hyundai have developed a cult following. Not unlike the original Alfa Romeos and pre-China MGs.
Nicknamed Nthusiasts, there are planned track days at some of Australia's best circuits where owners gather to test the limits of their prized possessions.
Prices originally started below $40,000 when a manual transmission was the only option. Improvements have been made in recent years, along with the introduction of an auto box, while the cost has also escalated, with 2025 variants requiring $54,250 once on-roads are covered. It may sound steep, although close to a Subaru WRX, while it's a bargain compared to the Honda Civic Type R which is beyond $70k.
Our family sampled the i30N Premium with a self-shifter, which is just under $60,000 on the road.
What do you get?
Some of the upgrades for 2025 deliver a much-needed modern edge, including the 10.25-inch digital driver instruments which matches the central infotainment touchscreen size.
Other inclusions are dual zone aircon, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front bucket seats covered in leather and suede, satnav, three USB-C ports (two in the back) and shiny black finishes around the gear shifter
External updates include a redesigned grille with red-accented intake inserts and red features on the side skirts – which also match the brake calipers. Trainspotters will also note the matt grey colour option for the 19-inch alloys, along with Hyundai's flat-style badging in matt black.
Warranty coverage remains at five years and unlimited kilometres, even extending to untimed track days.
Prepaid servicing is solid value with an average price of $377 if taking the five-year package.
The 2025 Hyundai i30N starts from about $55,000 drive-away.
How was the drive?
From the moment you press the start button there is a sense of occasion.
The throaty exhaust note is testament that the body kit and big brakes hidden behind the alloys shod with low-profile rubber are more than just for good looks.
Straight line speed is quick at 5.3 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint. Although that figure is no longer regarded fast up against a raft of performance EVs which hover around three seconds for the same task.
But it's the sum of the i30N's parts which tell the story. Balance and confidence work hand-in-glove with twisty terrain best showcasing its ability. Fun is delivered in spades.
Pirelli P-Zero rubber bites into the bitumen for rail-like prowess in the bends.
Steering wheel N buttons offer changes in personality, with custom modes allowing for bespoke changes in suspension, stability control, exhaust sound and transmission settings (auto). There is also a 'N Grin Shift' button which delivers a 20 second boost to maximum power and torque.
Fuel consumption varies depending on how much you enjoy that acceleration soundtrack. Our test saw the i30N drink more than 10 litres of premium unleaded for every 100km.
Fun is delivered in spades when it comes to the Hyundai i30N.
Would you buy one?
Kel: Great looks and an even better sound, the i30N is a great blend of performance and practicality. Using comfort mode the ride wasn't too firm and the external styling isn't outrageous. Although being a mature mother and not one to push the performance envelope, it's probably not where I'd spend my $60k.
Grant: While I may be even more mature (in age), I remember test driving editions of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru WRX. The i30N delivers that level of excitement which seems long forgotten. For those who love to drive, this is outstanding value for money. Love the exhaust note. Love the acceleration. Love the theatre. It's love and lust.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
3 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
$4.1m Rimac Nevera R breaks 24 world records in one go
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. A Rimac hypercar has smashed 24 world records, including going from 0 to 400km/h and then coming to a complete stop in just 25 seconds. The hair-raising Nevera R has been crowned the new 0-400-0 champion, breaking a slew of records in the process. In just 25.79 seconds, the electric supercar accelerated from standstill to 400km/h and back to a halt, beating the previous record by a full 2.04 seconds. Equipped with a breathtaking quad-motor all-electric powertrain, the Rimac has been labelled 'the fastest accelerating production car the world has ever seen.' Among the new benchmarks set by the electrifying ride is a jaw-dropping 0 to 60mph time of just 1.66 seconds. During its record-breaking run, the £1.8 million ($A3.4m) Nevera R hit a blistering top speed of 431.453km/h. Producing an astonishing 2,107 brake horsepower, the Nevera R soared to the top of the performance charts, according to Luxury Auto News. The dramatic improvement is thanks to a re-engineering of several major components. A fixed rear wing and enlarged diffuser generate greater downforce while enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. This was insane. Photo: YouTube The car is so fast it's blurry in the screenshot. Photo: YouTube Meanwhile, Michelin Cup 2 tires reduce understeer and boost lateral grip. These upgrades work in concert with a next-generation All-Wheel Torque Vectoring system, designed to maximise traction and handling precision. 'When we first introduced Nevera, it almost seemed like the pinnacle of hypercar performance had been reached. In a single generation, we had created a performance jump that previously would have taken decades,' Mate Rimac, founder and president of the Rimac Group said. 'But now, through relentless innovation, Nevera R goes even faster, while still maintaining much of the comfort and practicality that makes the Nevera a real, usable daily car,' he added. 'Breaking records is in our DNA, and we won't stop here.' The Nevera R smashed its own 2023 records, securing its spot at the very top of the EV leaderboard. The original Nevera already held several elite titles, including the production EV top speed record of 412 km/h, a Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb record of 49.32 seconds, and the electric production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife at 7:05.298. Now, there's even more opportunity for the Nevera R to go after what few records remain. 23 of the records that were broken. Photo: YouTube Limited to just 40 units worldwide with a starting price of €2.3 million ($A4.1m), each Nevera R now carries the distinction of being part of the most comprehensively record-breaking hypercar ever created. The Rimac Nevera R doesn't just edge out the original Nevera — it leaps ahead, according to CarBuzz. The performance gap is clear across nearly every metric. The R version cut 1.61 seconds off the 0–200mph time, coming in at 9.25 seconds. It also hit 0–400 km/h (249mph) in 17.35 seconds, nearly four seconds quicker than the standard model. Damn, that's insane. Photo: YouTube In the 0–250–0mph test, the Nevera R was over five seconds faster, highlighting massive gains in both acceleration and braking. It also improved the standing mile time to 19.71 seconds, shaving off almost a full second. The quarter-mile came in at 7.90 seconds, beating even the drag-ready Dodge Demon 170, and without special tires. Top speed rose from 412km/h to 431km/h, and it accelerated from 200–300km/h in just 3.89 seconds. Each upgrade shows Rimac's engineering wasn't just refined, it was reimagined. This story first appeared in The US Sun and was republished with permission. Originally published as $4.1m Rimac Nevera R breaks 24 world records in one go
Herald Sun
6 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Zoomo demands crackdown on illegal e-bike modifications across Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. A leading e-bike company is demanding urgent action from authorities as illegally modified bicycles surge in popularity across Australia. Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to navigate congested CBD streets faster than cars or scooters, making them an ideal choice for food delivery workers. James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 10 2024. GENERIC. Economy, cost of living, budget. Food delivery rider in the CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers MORE: Dua Lipa's $1m flaunt stuns onlookers Unlike cars or motorcycles, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a licence to ride, making them an efficient alternative provided they fall within certain power limits under Australian law. Gema Martínez Casanova, operations manager for populae e-bike brand Zoomo, says the proliferation of illegal e-bikes undermines legal e-bikes. 'It's quite frustrating because we try to create a really safe and reliable product for our customers,' she says. 'We understand e-bikes, there's a big increase in usage with e-bikes, and there are a lot of people who don't like them because they have this idea of e-bikes going 45 km/h on the pathway.' James Chung with the Zoomo e-bike. Picture: David McCowen In most states and territories, e-bikes are classified as 'pedal-assisted cycles' and must comply with the European Standard for Power-Assisted Pedal Cycles (EN15194). This standard typically limits the power from the electric motor to 250W and mandates that the motor stop propelling the bike when the speed reaches 25 km/h. Despite Zoomo's commitment to adhering to legal standards and ensuring customer safety, the situation is worsened by gig economy workers who seek faster delivery times and opt for bikes that can be modified to exceed legal limits. 'We can't do anything, because the customer wants to make more deliveries per hour, so of course they are going to go for a vehicle that goes faster,' Gema said. 'So not only do we have to compete by always trying to be better on our hardware and customer experience on a legal side, but also we have to be aware of the illegal bikes in the industry. 'We really respect the law, but we would like everyone to be applying the same rules. 'We create such a safe, reliable product, and we also employ a lot of people in Australia, but at the end of the day, we won't be able to compete. A general view of a food delivery bike rider during lunch hour in the CBD in Sydney. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard MORE: $185m scandal engulfs China EV giants 'So we urge the authorities to do more on illegal e-bikes. We see it everyday when a rider is riding up hill, not pedalling and travelling more than 6km per hour.' Many riders are also turning to e-bike conversion kits, which allow them to retrofit a standard bicycle with an electric motor, battery, and control system. These kits are widely available online, and their power can exceed 1000 watts, reaching speeds well over 60 km/h. A leading industry body has reported a surge in these unregistered and high-powered e-bike models entering the Australian market. A food delivery rider riding through Sydney's CBD. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, are growing in popularity. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer MORE: Car boss' wild call to end Aus tax breaks The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) is calling on both state and federal governments to urgently enforce existing national laws that regulate e-bikes, as growing numbers of unregistered, high-powered models are being used in commercial operations across Melbourne. 'The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they're being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,' VACC CEO Peter Jones says. 'It's one thing to ride a compliant e-bike recreationally. 'But when you're using a 1000-watt machine all day in city traffic to deliver for a company, you're operating a commercial vehicle. That must come with legal responsibilities, just like it would for a van, a ute or a motorbike.' NSW authorities are also intensifying efforts to enforce safety laws against e-bike riders who have illegally modified or tampered with their bikes, according to The Daily Telegraph. NSW police conducted a month-long operation, during which they checked 305 e-bikes and fined 32 riders. They discovered that 28 bikes had been modified or adjusted to exceed the legal speed limits set by manufacturers. Operation Kilowatt has cracked down on e-bike riders in the Northern Beaches. Picture: Jeremy Piper Over the past year, high-visibility police operations have been conducted across New South Wales in areas such as the Sydney CBD, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Suburbs, and Byron Bay, resulting in hundreds of fines being issued to e-bike riders who breached regulations. Originally published as Zoomo calls for stricter regulations amid illegal e-bike domination
Courier-Mail
9 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
BYD boss says Australia success key to global EV domination plans
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring. Followed categories will be added to My News. The billionaire founder of a Chinese electric vehicle giant has declared Australia the ultimate proving ground, claiming local success is a 'signal to the world' the brand is ready to dominate the globe. Build Your Dreams (BYD) boss Wang Chuanfu made the claim in a rare and exclusive interview with News Corp Australia. Previously, Mr Chuanfu had never spoken with Australian media. The quietly spoken founder, chairman and president of BYD, made a surprise appearance in Melbourne this week to hand over the 60,000th BYD vehicle sold in Australia. It's a major milestone for an automotive brand. MORE: Massive car companies stop all US imports BYD Founder Wang Chuanfu says Australia is key to global EV strategy as the brand hits 60,000 sales. MORE: Car prices set to plummet Mr Chuanfu said Australia had become far more than just another sales market. 'Australia is a key market for the BYD Brand. It's a highly competitive, advanced automotive market with an educated customer that values innovation, safety, and sustainability,' he told News Corp Australia. He added that the brand's success wasn't just a sales win but a message. 'Success here is a signal to the world that BYD vehicles can meet and exceed the expectations of mature markets. The learnings we gain from Australia help shape our products and approach globally.' BYD has been rapidly rising through the ranks as one Australia's fastest-growing automotive players. Last month BYD achieved 8,156 monthly deliveries, up 386 per cent year-on-year and finished eighth overall in national sales. MORE: Iconic car quits Aus amid global collapse In June, BYD finished 8th overall in national sales. Picture: BYD MORE: $9.1bn slide: Car giant hits the wall The surge was largely due to the launch of the Shark 6 – the country's first plug-in hybrid ute. This year the brand's success continues, with 40,000 vehicle deliveries forecasted. Mr Chuanfu acknowledged local distributor EVDirect in helping build BYD's early momentum and praised Australian buyers for embracing BYD. 'Personally, it's very meaningful,' he said of the milestone. 'Our success in Australia would not have been possible without the strong partnership and commitment of EVDirect.' 'As our exclusive distributor, they have been instrumental in bringing BYD's vision to cool the Earth by 1°C to Australian customers. 'We are proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to continuing this successful collaboration as we enter the next phase of growth.' BYD Founder Wang Chuanfu, BYD Australia general manager Mr Wing You and BYD Asia-Pacific auto sales Mr Liu Xueliang arrive to BYD dealership in Melbourne. Picture: BYD Founded in 1995, BYD began as a battery manufacturer before expanding into tech, rail and eventually electric vehicles. Today, it operates in more than 70 countries and employs more than 600,000 people worldwide. Its expansion has unsettled traditional players, especially as the brand continues to undercut rivals on price without compromising on features or safety. Currently, its Australian line-up includes the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7 and Shark 6. Originally published as BYD boss says Australia success key to global EV domination plans
