Hyundai’s latest machine is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive on the road, delivering the same thrills as much more expensive vehicles.
They’ve done it again. As you scythe into a tight corner with an inside rear wheel dangling in the air, it becomes clear that Hyundai has cooked up another cracking performance car in the compact i20 N hot hatch.
There’s a little thump when the wheel touches down again – a charming trait shared by many great hot hatches with stiff suspension – before the turbo motor fires us towards the next bend on this tight circuit.
The follow-up act to the groundbreaking i30 N brings much of the bigger car’s appeal in a smaller, cheaper package.
Priced from $32,490 plus on-road costs (about $36,000 drive-away), the i20 N undercuts its big brother by almost $13,000. Aimed squarely at Ford’s Fiesta ST, the new machine is based on a 1.0-litre runabout not sold in Australia.
The i20 N is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 150kW of power and 275Nm of torque that can swell to 304Nm under full throttle.
Sporty inclusions range from 18-inch wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres to bigger brakes, a daring body kit and an active exhaust system that can be quietened to keep neighbours happy.
The only transmission option is a six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels through a must-have limited-slip differential.
The brand’s outstanding eight-speed dual-clutch auto, torque-vectoring diff and active suspension that shifts from mild to wild are reserved for more expensive N models.
The i20 N’s performance hardware is bolstered by clever electronics including launch control, rev matching and a three-stage stability control system that can be fully deactivated for track work.
Handy features such as automatic GPS-triggered lap timing for track days join slightly puzzling inclusions such as “N Road Sense”, which watches the path ahead and suggests you put the car in sport mode before fun corners.
As with the i30 N, the new model is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty that includes casual track day coverage but not timed competition.
Much lighter than larger cars such as the VW Golf GTI or Subaru WRX, the little Hyundai is fun to toss around a track. It strikes an impressive blend of agility and stability, feeling more mobile than most hot hatches without resorting to the hyperactive steering response and wayward rear end of Ford’s Fiesta ST.
Predictable at speed, the Hyundai rewards precision from experienced drivers and is unlikely to intimidate folks new to circuit driving.
The brakes offer impressive bite, driver-focused feel and – unlike the Fiesta – don’t give up after five minutes on track.
Respectable rather than rapid on the straights, the i20 N loses points for a flat engine that lacks the aural charm of warbling three-cylinder motors served up by Ford and Toyota. Turbo lag and subtle “rev hang” – a tendency for the engine to flare when you change gears, even when you’ve lifted off the throttle – will frustrate purists.
Firm fixed-rate suspension lacks the customisable compliance of more expensive alternatives and the little cabin is loud on the highway.
But other elements make it a daily delight, as the i20 N is affordable without feeling cheap.
In many ways the i20 N’s cabin is better presented than the more expensive i30 N.
Light-blue stitching and trim elements brighten a cabin where well-judged ergonomics put you low in the car, with a meaty steering wheel ahead and perfectly placed pedals below.
There’s room for tall drivers to wear a helmet and rear passengers get a surprising amount of space for this class of car.
A customisable 10.25-inch digital dash is loaded with handy info, and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen brings smartphone mirroring, satnav, digital radio, wireless charging and decent sound quality through an eight-speaker stereo.
Front and rear parking sensors work with a conventional reversing camera as opposed to the more expensive bird’s eye variant. Other omissions include niceties such as heated seats, active cruise control and the head-up display found in more expensive Hyundai N machines, but budget buyers are unlikely to be too bothered.
VERDICT 4/5
Packed with value and fun to drive, the i20 N proves Hyundai’s original i30 N performance car was no fluke.
HYUNDAI I20 N VITALS
Price: About $36,000 drive-away
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 150kW/275Nm
Warranty/servicing: 5-year/unlimited km, about $1600 for 5 years
Safety: 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert
Thirst: 6.9L/100km
Cargo: 310 litres
Spare: Space saver
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