2019 Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium quick review

What is it?

The Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium takes the place of the i30 SR, and now wears body plastics and wheels designed to mimic of the i30 N hot hatch.

A rival to other mid-strength hatches like the Ford Focus ST-Line, Holden Astra RS-V, and Kia Cerato GT, the i30 N-Line retains the SR’s 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmissions.

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How much is the Hyundai i30 N-Line?

Retail pricing for the i30 N-Line starts at $26,490 for the manual version, with the seven-speed dual clutch auto adding $3000 to the bill.

The car we tested was the i30 N-Line Premium, which comes standard with the automatic gearbox and gains additional interior garnish and creature comforts including red seatbelts, stitching and piping, heated/ventilated front seats, and Infinity premium sound system.

The extras take the price to $34,990, which positions it an even $8000 below the i30 N, which starts at $42,990.

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Extra-cost options include a panoramic sunroof for $2000, Chrome Pack ($642) – with floor mats, dash mat, and rear bumper protector - and premium paint for about $495.

The Hyundai i30 N-Line is covered by the Korean carmaker’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Is the Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium easy to live with?

The Hyundai i30 is one of the roomiest small cars on the market, with comfort levels further enhanced by the well-appointed interior featuring soft-touch surfaces and leather trimmed seats and steering wheel.

The heated/cooled front seats have basic adjustments, but have excellent back support and generous side bolstering. The rear seats fit two adults comfortably, with broad cushions and plenty of leg- and headroom.

The uncluttered dashboard features an 8.0-inch touch screen for the user-friendly infotainment system, which comes loaded with sat-nav and digital radio, and pairs easily to your smartphone via Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The controls on the steering wheel and the dashboard buttons are intuitively laid out, and the uncluttered gauge cluster is easy to read. On top of that, the i30 has a deep 395-litre boot space that’s one of the biggest in its class.

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It’s reasonably cheap to run with an official consumption rating of 7.8L/100km. Drive it spiritedly, as we did, and that figure rises to a still-reasonable 8.5L/100km.

The i30 N-Line has a 5-star ANCAP rating and is equipped with Hyundai’s Smart Sense Active Safety package that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, driver attention alert, blind-spot monitor, and rear-cross traffic alert.

Does the Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium drive well?

The i30 N-Line provides plenty of driving pleasure thanks to its silky powertrain, direct steering and compliant handling.

The 150kW/256Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that carried over from the i30 SR accelerates effortlessly via the smooth-shifting dual-clutch transmission.

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The taut multi-link rear suspension holds the i30 N-Line level through corners, while the 18-inch, low profile Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres provide plenty of grip without compromising ride comfort or noise. Any firmness is only really felt on rougher roads, where the ride can be a little jarring for those in the rear seats.

Despite its sports focus, the i30-N-Line is a great all-rounder with an ability to dial things down and pretend its a normal hatch offering everyday comfort and economy around town.

Verdict

The Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium is a great performance hatchback that gives European rivals a run for their money in terms of driving pleasure, style and features.

However, the smart money (if you can’t trade up to the i30 N) is on the standard N-Line that comes with most of the N-Line Premium’s key features including the leather trim, premium sound system, active safety, and performance. You’ll also gain $5000 in change and the option of the even more affordable six-speed manual.

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