Hyundai i30 N-Line+ 2018 Review

2018 Hyundai i30 N-Line+ Review

I put the 2018 Hyundai i30 N-Line + to the test. It was a pleasure to drive. Here are my thoughts on the new model:

What’s the Hyundai i30 N Line+ all about?

Meet the Hyundai i30 N-Line+. It takes the best bits of the i30N and makes them more accessible to those who can’t afford or don’t want all the power and performance of the super-hot hatch, but still want the look. It’s a reasonably sized hatchback with many features. This particular model has been built according to the latest Hyundai styling.

N-Line is new for 2018 on the i30 brand. It brings a more performance-focused look to the exterior and shares the front and rear bumper design of the i30N. If you look closely, you will also see a silver accent line on the bottom of the bumper and N-Line badging on the front wings.

At the back, there is a twin exhaust and LED rear clusters. You will also notice a nice set of 18″ alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. These changes may seem small, but they add up to an aggressive looking vehicle.

On the inside, N-Line brings sports seats and a leather steering wheel from the i30N, and a specific N-Line gearstick. So whether you are inside or out, the car looks sportier than before.

They are a few real-world performance improvements to the model also, including tweaks to the mechanical suspension set-up and brakes and engine response, in order to enhance the driving experience over the standard i30 model. There are two tiers available: N-Line and N-Line+. The N-Line+ cars feature a heated steering wheel, leather and suede seats with memory function on the driver’s seat, electrically-adjustable lumbar support for the passenger and dual-zone climate control and automatic rain sensing wipers.

The Hyundai i30 N-Line is powered by a four-cylinder, 1.4-litre T-GDi petrol engine that creates 140 PS and 242 Nm of torque. This power goes to the front wheels using a six-speed manual gearbox. It accelerates from 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph. It might not be a powerful i30N engine, but don’t underestimate it. It’s very efficient and more than capable of achieving a combined fuel efficiency figure of 56 mpg. So, it will create only 133g of CO2 per km.

How does it drive?

Please bear in mind that you can’t compare this car to the i30 N performance model when getting behind the wheel. However, once you get over that, you will realise that it can be equally as enjoyable to its big brother in different ways.

The 1.4-litre engine creates more than enough power to have fun on the road without getting up to dangerous speeds. Aided by the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, the Hyundai i30 N-Line gets off the line swiftly and will encourage you to use the manual gearbox to get the most out of the engine. The car feels playful and planted without having the hard suspension and overly responsive throttle drawbacks you get with performance models.

It is worth noting that if you prefer an automatic gearbox, there is a seven-speed DCT transmission. I haven’t tested this, but it should be the more desirable option for those battling traffic.

The steering feels perfect for the car too, both for parking and country roads as it has been nicely weighted.

The 2018 Hyundai i30 N-Line features a range of up to the minute technology such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert and Blind Spot Detection. The list goes on with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, a Lane Keeping Assist System and High Beam Assist. Technology like this will help to reduce road accidents.

What’s it like inside?

When you get into the Hyundai i30 N-Line+, you will notice the cabin features sporty motifs, such as a suede and leather sports seat and an N-Line gear stick. Take a closer look and there is even an N badge at the bottom of the steering wheel. The rest of the cabin replicates the standard i30, which bodes well.

The interior of this model is definitely a comfortable place to be. The driver’s instruments are illuminated with white lights on both of the main dials.

You can change the central console to display information about the car’s metrics, so you can keep a close eye on those mpg figures.

The infotainment system in the Hyundai i30 N-Line features an 8″ display. The touchscreen interface is very modern and user-friendly.

The advanced feel continues as in-car technology includes DAB radio, USB, Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and of course Sat Nav.

This sporty model also features the standard i30 boot, which is very spacious with a large opening and very little load lip, making it very useful for everyday tasks.

The Experience

I love vehicles like the Hyundai i30 N-Line+. They offer sporty looks and more involved driving without any of the negative performance traits that can be a pain to live with.

The Hyundai i30 N-Line is a car that is enjoyable to drive, but will keep you out of trouble. Most potential customers will be interested in its sporty looks, which is where the i30 really delivers.

Verdict

So, the Hyundai i30 N-Line is not a track demon, but a sporty everyday model available at a low cost. It will impress the crowds with its aggressive styling, without upsetting your neighbours with the loud exhaust noise.

The i30 is another string to Hyundai’s bow. But If you are looking for something faster and want to spend the extra money, then the i30N comes highly recommended by us.

Specification

Hyundai i30 N Line +

  • Price: From £25,090
  • Engine: 1.4-Litre Diesel
  • Power: 140 PS 
  • Torque: 242 Nm
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
  • 0-62mph: 8.9 Seconds
  • Top speed: 130 mph
  • Economy combined: 48.7 mpg
  • CO2: 133 g/km