Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo Performance Pack (M) Review

What We Like

Sharp and precise handling

Delightfully rowdy exhaust

More dynamic malleability than before

A hot hatch you can use everyday

Three pedals!

What We Dislike

Those decals need to go

$10,000 VES surcharge compared to the standard i30N

Not exactly subtle, eh?

Yes, this is an i30 N (as if the GIGANTIC decals wasn't obvious enough), but importantly, this isn't your typical i30 N. This one here is the i30 N Performance Pack.

So, it's got more performance?

As the name suggests, this car has had several upgrades to enhance the i30 N's performance capabilities.

The Pirelli P Zero tyres are made specifically for the i30 N

Power from the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine has been bumped up to 271bhp (an increase of 24bhp), while peak torque remains at 353Nm. This allows you to shave 0.3 seconds off the car's 0-100km/h time (6.1 seconds).

The Performance Pack also adds an electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential (LSD). The effect of this is clear - when you floor the car in first gear, wheelspin is largely absent, and the car doesn't feel as wayward as before.

The backfires from the rowdy exhaust is childishly delightful

There are also bigger brakes, 19-inch wheels (compared to the 18-inch on the standard car), as well as stickier Pirelli P Zero tyres.

There's also a variable exhaust valve system, which a louder, more backfire-y exhaust. The backfire sounds aren't the most naturally generated but, hell, it is still endlessly entertaining.

N Grin Control gives you maximum customisability of the car's powertrain and chassis settings

Inside, you also get a tad more equipment, such as heated front memory seats with lumbar and cushion extension, a heated steering wheel, and factory-fitted leather/suede upholstery.

Also, the i30 N PP features N Grin Control. Yes, it's kind of a silly name, but essentially what it does is it allows you to customise a wide variety of powertrain and chassis settings - engine response, rev matching, exhaust sound, electronic controlled suspension, steering and electronic stability control.

The i30N PP comes factory fitted with leather/suede upholstery

So the car's better now?

What's that done to the car? The Performance Pack has definitely has made it a more focused vehicle. The LSD and tyres definitely aid the car's tractability and handling, especially on the limit. The rowdy exhaust also ratchets up the overall drama of the car.

The car's greatest party trick, though, has got to be the rev-matching. It makes you feel (and sound) like an absolute hero every time you downshift as you brake towards a red light.

It's almost unheard of to find a new car offered with three pedals

The blips are perfectly executed (infinitely better than we can manage with our meager abilities), and anyone outside the car would easily be fooled into thinking you are executing perfect heel-toe technique. Which, of course, you are not. Brilliant, eh?

Importantly, the inherent joy, driveability and daily usability of the car have not been compromised. In the Comfort setting, the car is pliant and forgiving, making everyday use a breeze.

The car's professionally precise rev-matching means that every downshift is joyous fun

Time to get one?

It's not quite as dynamically sharp and aggressive as the Renault Megane RS, the cabin not quite as sleek and upmarket as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, but the i30N PP holds its own against these two stellar hot hatches.

It's undeniably involving and fun to drive, especially since it's offered with three pedals. It's just a really, really good hot hatch.

The i30 N PP delivers ample fun and driver involvement without compromising on comfort for everyday driving

Question is, is this worth the $20,000 upgrade over the standard model? The price jump is significant because the i30 N PP falls into the C1 VES category, hence netting a $10,000 penalty over the standard i30 N (B category).

$20,000 is a pretty big jump, but all things considered, it's probably still worth it - this i30 N PP is Hyundai's hot hatch in its most extroverted, most authentic and most excellent form.

With ample dynamic capability mixed with everday usability, the i30 N PP is a hot hatch that's right up there with the best of them

That said, settling for the standard model isn't a significant sacrifice if you don't intend to take your car to the track or push it to its dynamic limits. However you choose, there's no doubting that you're getting one hell of a car.