Hyundai i30 Fastback N 2019 review - it's even better!

The Hyundai i30 Fastback N is a new body style of i30 N - the 202kW (271hp) hot hatch that competes with the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI. The 2019 i30 Fastback N is a bit longer and has better weight balance - and to get some first impressions, Tom takes on some fast roads in the new Fastback.
What do you think of the new i30 N Fastback? Do you think it beats a Civic Type R for looks? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments.
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Covers the exterior, interior, boot space, engine and driving of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N 2019 / 2019 i30 N.
READ our detailed Australian coverage of the 2019 Hyundai i30 Fastback N here: chasingcars.com.au

[@chasingcars]

This week, Tom checks out the new i30 Fastback N. Next week, catch the track review, filmed at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Subscribe so that you don't miss it!

[@iordaniskaravasilis]

Is this car coming to America????

[@nadenmeier5942]

best colour for this car is the shadow grey i got it myself. Greetings from germany

[@chasingcars]

Guten tag Naden. Have seen one in the Shadow Grey and it looked pretty handsome.

[@Veodo]

I like it white like this!! *_*

[@eospace]

White for the win. Contrast elements come out to play with this colour.

[@vascoladeiras9772]

got one too just a few weeks ago in grey, its incredibly beautiful

[@bradkakoschke5165]

A refreshing review without over the top screaming and unrealistic comparisons and expectations. This car looks amazing and sets it apart from the hatch version. The interior looks pretty swish. I'd be pretty happy with one of these!

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Brad! Glad you like the style.

[@bill7481]

Those wheels! I am so excited about the work that Hyundai/ Kia are doing! Keep it up! Nice review, Tom! Thanks!

[@chasingcars]

No problem, Bill!

[@larssfeihc9199]

@Hyundai Please bring this car to the US. I volunteer to shake it down for you.

[@chasingcars]

I'm sure they'd appreciate that, Lars!

[@cindysue5474]

yes this would be a good alternative to the regular civic.

[@larssfeihc9199]

Also @Hyundai could please include red leather seats. Thank you very much.

[@stephenhendricks103]

Sorry, Lars. Not much chance of that. Hyundai has made a corporate decision to sell either the Veloster N or the i30N in various national markets. The US gets the Veloster so we won't get the i30N. Personally, I find that disappointing as I'd prefer the i30.

[@erratic100]

@@stephenhendricks103 Is that in every market? In Australia we get the Veloster, AND the i30n.

[@pophilio]

I will get mine in the middle of May. I cant wait.

[@chasingcars]

Awesome. I'm sure you'll like it.

[@qq4810]

me too, end of next week :D

[@emmanuelburnett6]

I like that Hyundai i30 Fastback N this is my favourite

[@Johnacles]

Good stuff Tom, track review looks like a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to when Hyundai do a 300+KW AWD I30 with some cheeky WRC fender flares and aero addenda (please Hyundai if you're listening!). Continuing my guessing of roads featured that in-car shot looks like the road out to Kurnell, and the country road segment maybe the start of Jenolan caves?

[@cmphoto_]

Just came across this channel, really really good presentation. Tom speaks super well & it doesn’t seem forced. Some extra / variety of b-roll to segment the talking would be dope, but seriously slick video.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks Christopher - appreciate the feedback. We’re always looking to improve. Enjoy the content!

[@its_ben_carter]

Thanks Tom! It’s like the bastard child of a model x and a Proton gen 2 🙈 I’m over these fake poppy 4 poppers... rs3 8v is the last time crackles we’re done well Full respect for still putting out manuals Hyundai 🤘

[@Frank-hg9rl]

Please Hyundai ! Bring the I30 fastback N To Canada!

[@eospace]

Please please!

[@christianmbabazi9722]

You'll probably get it before the U.S ever does :/

[@Ronsolo767]

Agreed. I would buy one tomorrow if this car was in Canada. Who makes these decisions!!??

[@brentratcliffe879]

Great review Ed Sheehan, keep it up ! 🤙🏼

[@chasingcars]

Will do!

[@davidx8152]

Hi Tom, another great review! Just wanted to run an idea past you. Have you considered reviewing the 2018 Subaru WRX? Reason being; despite all the new hot hatches arriving on the market, a lot of folks are still going with the WRX as a (somewhat) proven 4 door performance option. Do you have any thoughts on the 2018 WRX? Have you driven it? Is it very noisy and difficult to live with as a daily driver when compared to say the i30n? Many Thanks

[@MDWPlays]

I've had mine since March 1st and it really is a great car. Its quick but not too quick. Boot size is great. Seats are really comfy. The only fault I notice quite often is the start/stop technology doesn't always work

[@chasingcars]

Good summary. In Australia I don't think we have start/stop for the i30 N (unless I am quite mistaken).

[@amantupar888]

It reminds me its design for being the "Baby Stinger".

[@ThrottleDownunder]

G'day Tom, I'm torn between this and thr 2020 Fiesta St. Id love to know what you preferred?

[@chasingcars]

If you’re okay with the smaller size I’d go the ST.

[@ThrottleDownunder]

@@chasingcars thank you. Yes I owned the Mk7 ST. Best car I've owned, so thr size isn't an issue

[@alexandrospapadakis7511]

Great review.. what is your opinion about the grip of the fastback after the changes of the suspension.. anti roll bar thickness and the softer front. In comparison to hatchback n.. Alex from Greece.

[@chasingcars]

Less outright grip, which is fine - the hatch is a little too stiff and grippy at the rear for our tastes. This one has a more playful rear end.

[@malcolmscott4150]

For the money I’d have to go for an RS280 but do prefer the N fastback to the hatch as visually quite well proportioned and a good drive - albeit I like my RS265 as its rear end very communicative and with manual handbrake I could rip a few skids if I felt so inclined - great fun review Tom :)

[@RustyPro676]

just drove it today... got a pretty good deal with almost all the extras for 29k euros which i recon is amazing for a new sporty hatchback...

[@chasingcars]

Not a bad deal but we get them so much cheaper!

[@harvey5738]

Why oh why did they give us the Veloster N instead of this in North America? Would have bought this over my '19 GTI.

[@Ronsolo767]

No kidding. I would buy this today if it was in North America. I love my Elantra Sport with a manual and this is just the next step up for me. I don't even consider the Veloster N.

[@harvey5738]

@@Ronsolo767 exactly I want a sporty car but I need 4 doors.

[@Ronsolo767]

@@harvey5738 Same here. The Veloster has an identity crisis, is it a coupe is it a hatch? No idea why they don't think this Fastback would not do well in North America.

[@FlyingGentile]

I swore i was the only one who thought this. Everyone seems to like the Veloster N. I rather take the fastback or rather even the US Elantra Hatch N if they made it. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@raul.tortosa]

This video without the sound and bangs of the exhaust is like a GARDEN WITH NO FLOWERS :(

[@martinkrahge5568]

Excellent Review Tom.

[@haydenlane5028]

Not a fan of the fastback version. For me, it’s amazing from front to rear doors...and that’s where the issues start. Much prefer the hatch version. In saying that though, Hyundai and Kia are doing some awesome things at the moment with their cars. Good video!

[@chasingcars]

Fair enough Hayden - I think it's great that they provide the choice! Hatchback for me too, by the way, but only after it receives the Fastback's more refined suspension tune (happening later this year).

[@soupistasty5]

Several Mercedes models have this roof line. Basically all their 4 door models with the coupe design, like the new AMG GT model, or some of the older models like the CLA.

[@chasingcars]

Quite right. Hyundai’s certainly not the first here.

[@apsilonblue]

You mention the rear interior brace (most reviewers don't mention it's presence at all) can be removed. Is it designed this way or do you mean by pulling the trim panels and unbolting it? Seriously considering one of these as my new daily but need to stick with 4 doors for the occasional time I need to take people with me but also would be useful to have large carrying capacity when the seats are folded down (I'm assuming they fold? Again something reviewers don't cover for this model) but that brace reduces the practicality of that a lot but if it can be removed fairly easily then that con goes away for me.

[@chasingcars]

Hey mate. Best to go into a dealership and try doing it for yourself - I have seen it removed fairly easily at the hatch launch, but you may require a tool to do it - if I remember correctly, it's a case of inserting a tool into a hole and it pops out in a pretty straightforward manner - but I am going off 12 month-old memories here.

[@apsilonblue]

@@chasingcars Cheers, I will take a look a little later in the year when I'm ready to buy. I imagine there won't be a lot of them sitting in dealers at launch as they'll go to pre orders and I'm not in a hurry. You're the only one I've seen mention it was even possible though so thanks.

[@NANGSGARAGE]

Looking clean in white 😎

[@ecurb10]

So what's the \difference between a fastback and a hatchback? My 2009 Ford Mondeo XR-5 is called a hatchback, but as it looks similar to this i30, nowadays I guess it'd be called a fastback. Good videos by the way!

[@MLife1972]

Great review and I snorted tea when you said 'rip skids'. As for the car - I must possess it. So glad they don't have those naff, red seat belts like the SR cars.

[@chasingcars]

Not into red seatbelts then Mark? Fair enough. I’m a bit disappointed they removed the blue accents inside for the fastback, though.

[@MLife1972]

@@chasingcars I will miss the blue accents but I just think red seatbelts may look ok for a while before they look grubby.

[@letsseeif]

In as much as you did this video in 'High Summer', don't you find your description of the fastback as 'cool' somewhat counter-intuitive compared with the hatch which rarely allows Sun penetration. That said, I thought your review very interesting and informative.

[@welfareLP]

Why has this Car no Keyless- Start in Australia? Here in Germany it's standart?! It's not even optional in the N-Version

[@addzy85]

Walle!! The luxury pack in Australia gets push button along with a few other options, this is the base car.

[@tomforbes3422]

Feeling a little loose this week Tom 😁 nice job!

[@chasingcars]

The i30 N does that to you. Good car!

[@EastWood2004]

I wonder how it is competing against Golf gti. No electric parking brake, no keyless entry, no Digital dash display, no electric leather seat, no sound option, less refined, and the list is going on. Most buyers with the budget expect some luxury ambience.

[@Ikem5546]

*cries in American*

[@chasingcars]

Sorry bro.

[@christianmbabazi9722]

😭😭😭 we never get none of the good cars

[@NeillyVille]

I prefer the look of the hatchback but this one looks pretty slick too

[@chasingcars]

Fair enough Neil. I think it's great that they offer a choice!

[@newsupdate1324]

I love the car,I love the reviews including the power sound,that makes it the most sports car

[@akent46]

I swear! A couple of journos went on about hard scratchy dashboards and now everyone has jumped on the wagon... guess what, the last time I touched my cars dashboard was about 3 bloody years ago! Hard dash, who gives a flaming F, no one cares; and if they do, they are a drop kick. PS: great reviews lol, not having a go at you personally; as car review 101 these days is going on about hard scratchy dash boards, but it is utterly stupid. Hot tip, the next car journo fad looks like it is - grabbing the center console and ripping it back and forward with 85kg of body weight and then complaining that it is isn't as solid as a stressed member of the car ;) another pet hate.

[@joefattal7592]

Looks Far more cohesive than the Hatch. I’m sure it Will do well.

[@chasingcars]

They're both cool I reckon, but I'm still yet to see many Fastbacks out on the road. I will say, in the black, the Fastback looks really great.

[@lockhart1895]

Reminds me of the 2003-06 Hyundai Elantra GT

[@chasehudson5804]

bruh, why'd you have to say that hahaha

[@addzy85]

Shame the MY19 Golf GTI/R are DSG only! Do you think they will reintroduce the manual gearbox at least for the GTI? If not (As a Mk7 R owner), this may be the next car... Hopefully VW don’t go the way of all others and at least offer a manual special order.

[@chasingcars]

I doubt they will. In order to achieve favourable CO2 ratings on manual gearboxes, Volkswagen are outfitting these cars with petrol particulate filters (PPF), which won't tolerate Australia's low-quality, sulphuric petrol fuel. In future, the DSGs will require a PPF as well, and then all European cars will. When that happens, Australia will start to get old engines, putting us behind the rest of the world. That is a big problem! Hopefully the federal government regulates improvements in the fuel quality before that happens.

[@chasingcars]

To be clear, the manual is still available in Europe, but only with a PPF.

[@addzy85]

Chasing Cars fingers crossed! It will be a big shame if they don’t.... otherwise it will be a brand change for me...

[@chasingcars]

I agree. The thing is that initially, a brand change will be enough but in future, PPFs will be a standard worldwide. If Australia gets left behind, it’s going to be very bad news for car availability in our market!

[@addzy85]

Chasing Cars - we will go from the most diverse range of cars in the world to one with the least. How do people in your industry help change this and how do the general public get involved to support?

[@laminlamin325]

3:11 changed his tousers lol

[@DEATHSTARER]

Just like a bowl of Rice Bubbles.Lots of snap,crackle,and pops.

[@chasingcars]

And way less bland than rice bubbles.

[@thepeller210]

I was looking to replace my 2015 Leon Cupra 280. I went for a test drive in the i30 N performance, the noises are a novelty but the suspension was horrendous on UK roads, also the interior is cheap and nasty as any Hyundai. Good first attempt from Hyundai but rivals still outpace it in performance and overall quality. I ended up getting another Cupra!

[@chasingcars]

Interesting. Did you test drive the hatchback or the fastback? If it was the hatch, the awful EU/UK suspension tune is being ditched this year for you guys in favour of the Australian tune, which is designed for crappy roads. It will be a major improvement! Wish we got Seats out here in Australia.

[@schunkelperser1794]

This car should not be underestimated. Great buy - even though i prefer rear wheel driven cars. Golf GTI as an automatic only in Australia? Volkswagen - what are you doing?

[@chasingcars]

Not really VW’s fault. The GTI manual now needs a petrol particulate filter, and the Australian government hasn’t legislated to reduce the (huge) sulphur content in our petrol fuel. We’re about to start missing out on a lot of new cars because of this.

[@Jefferson-ly5qe]

@@chasingcars never heard of this before, interesting

[@joshuadaniel4613]

Do you use a drone for b-roll? If yes which one?

[@tabes10]

It would be the perfect fastback if the interior was just up to shape to the rest of the vehicle. More soft touch materials and rear air vents. Atleast a leather handbrake too.

[@chasingcars]

I tend to agree. I still say that I’m happy they spent the money where it counts (mechanicals), but I expect the second-gen i30 N will have an upgraded interior. As for the rear vents, they’re unlikely to appear as long as the manual hand brake is retained, unless Hyundai redesign the mechanicals of the brake. It doesn’t leave room for vents.

[@satishs5199]

😭😭😭😭 This model not available in my country

[@katariramakrishna4284]

How much this car price in India

[@paulie2476]

Ed Sheeran knows his cars very well

[@chasingcars]

Thank you.

[@Graceymay74]

You ain't Tom Baker!!! You're Tom Baker!

[@chasingcars]

Erm, yes!

[@MrBenHaynes]

Are you a Whovian? My favourite Dr. Who was Tom Baker!

[@jivebunny3765]

Not bad looking, but if this is a tacit admission by Hyundai that it made a terrible mistake by axing the Coupe, it's not a good enough replacement, especially after the Velostar sank without trace.

[@chasingcars]

Hard to tell. I don’t think the Coupe made it out of America. The i30 N and Fastback seem more aimed at Europe to me, but I could be wrong.

[@jivebunny3765]

@@chasingcars The Hyundai Coupe very much made it out of the US, if it was ever sold there. I live in the UK and owned one until a couple of years ago.

[@chasingcars]

Is this the S Coupe?

[@jivebunny3765]

@@chasingcars No. This is it. I think it was called a Tiburon in the US. parkers-images.bauersecure.com/gallery-image/pagefiles/198531/static-exterior/1752x1168/022.jpg

[@JimboJones99]

So if this is the Fastback version, then the original i30 is a Slowback?

[@chasingcars]

I mean, yeah.

[@benhuang2773]

So when are we getting Slowfront and Fastfront variants? 😆

[@dheeradjlachman9658]

Very coool sporty car good job Hyundai 👌

[@avicreation9948]

Bro get the information when it will launch in India please please please aks it some how please

[@VimyScout]

Good looking car !

[@chasingcars]

Yeah!

[@nhannis]

How much does it cost?

[@chasingcars]

$41,990 in Australia before on-road costs.

[@kwamenkrumah8900]

Superb

[@kshetrapalgoswami3615]

India mein kab tak launch hoga

[@zacboi94]

Mercedes CLA has similar roof lines

[@stephengriffin4990]

the road rumble could not live with that daily

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, there's a lot of road noise. A lot.

[@stephengriffin4990]

@@chasingcars Thank you for yr great response

[@drwhotardis]

@@chasingcars Change the tyres...Bridgestone S007A's reduce the noise by 50%

[@drwhotardis]

It's the tyres...Bridgestone S007A tyres are much quieter

[@floracane]

@@drwhotardis no, it’s not tyres. Bad design.

[@OnboardCamEurope]

Amazing car, too bad that there is no automatic transmission available

[@wiiten]

Apparently it's coming at the end of the year, probably with AWD as well !

[@OnboardCamEurope]

@@wiiten Cool, I'm looking forward to that, hopefully also for us Europeans. Thanks for the information

[@TheLOL4DUDE]

Aye my friend from Australia how come you are filmin videos? I’ve heard ya don’t exist how come aye

[@chasingcars]

We’re at the bottom of the flat earth? I don’t know the right meme here

[@TheLOL4DUDE]

@@chasingcars Here in Europe, some idiots think the earth is flat and you don't exist.. meh!

[@stefan6076]

estimation of price in Aus??

[@chasingcars]

It’s $42k.

[@stefan6076]

@@chasingcars thats the base model right? ive been looking around online to try and purchase but cant find anywhere?

[@TurfSurf]

Mazda 3, Honda Civic and Ioniq

[@chasingcars]

Roger that, Turf Surf! Mazda 3 launches locally in April, so you can expect a detailed review then. We've got a Civic scheduled for April as well - and I will look into the Ioniq for you, but we've got a review on that already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYKyZWNme7d4kKc

[@MrBenHaynes]

It wasn't on the market when this test was filmed, but Kia Cerato hatch has a similar roofline/packaging.

[@stukkak1976]

Yoonday? Sounds best when pronounced Hunday, which is closer to spelling.

[@troy9er]

I wish we would get the fastback here in the USA, but noooo. We get that crappy re design they are giving us for 2019!

[@chasingcars]

You guys get the Veloster N right?

[@troy9er]

Yes we do. But. They didn’t sell as well as the 4 door Elantra. I liked them but they weren’t everybody’s cup of tea.

[@JLX5]

How come people buy these cars? I'm 1,73m and I have no headroom in the back seats! Waste of money for a 4 seater. Sophisticated roof line? What for? Just looks? These reviewers don't have to live with the impracticalities of a car like this. Yeah great fun for the first half hour and then your head starts to hurt from the hard the suspension of this car is. You can see it from the constant shaking if the camera 😂

[@chasingcars]

I’d like to offer some responses. 1. There’s adequate headroom for 183cm, let alone 173cm, in row 2 2. Impracticalities? It’s a hot hatch 3. The suspension is pretty liveable in comfort mode, and I’ve done many, many hours in many different i30 Ns And I say this as a non-i30 N fanboy, as subscribers know - just stating the facts here

[@JLX5]

@@chasingcars Then the Fastback N in Germany must be lower because the one I sat in if you rest your head back you touch the roof and it is pretty uncomfortable. My girlfriend also sat in it and had exactly the same reaction as me. Don't get me wrong, I don't wanna bash your review, just strongly disagree with you. I also tried the i30N and the ride was quite bad also in comfort mode principally if you compare it to a golf gti or golf R. My head after a 45 min ride was hurting from so much shaking the car did.

[@chasingcars]

The European suspension tune is completely different to ours in Australia, but our softer tune will be applied to European i30 Ns from late 2019

[@JLX5]

@@chasingcars good because they are a pain with the current european tune. That is the first reason to put me off the i30N. I heard the roads in Australia are bad hence the softer tune.

[@chasingcars]

Correct. It's a superior tune all round, though, which N Performance has recognised. You should try it out later this year!

[@Jsususuhs]

tail lights look like the Mercedes coupe...

[@chasingcars]

Hyundai would probably be quite happy with that comparison.

[@OscarDeCicco]

I cannot believe it. This is not a SUV...

[@chasingcars]

Occasionally we’re able to take a break from SUVs!

[@yamahargxtt]

Hyundai Kona - N is coming!

[@willismith96]

In what world does that look like an Audi RS5

[@chasingcars]

A world where you squint and see how two fastbacks share somewhat similar angles and proportions

[@luckywelder]

Not this one

[@directreply350]

While we in Canada get the ghastly Elantra Sport

[@chasingcars]

We get that too. Actually not a bad thing, but it’s no N alternative...

[@jing713]

Ghastly 🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@directreply350]

jing713 seriously thought, the refresh is so ugly

[@Ronsolo767]

The 2017 and 2018 Elantra Sport are great but I agree that the 2019 refresh is horrible. Plus we get the Veloster N. The car that doesn't know if it wants to be a two door hatch or a four door. Why can't we get this I30 N Fastback in Canada. Who makes these decisions??

[@bradtulk7042]

prefer john cadogan review

[@bradtulk7042]

u look about 18

[@FlyingGentile]

😢....... hate it when America is left out.

[@gabutman6144]

Fastback = extra spoiler

[@jeffstryker1454]

I still wouldn’t buy Hyundai even though they are getting better.

[@luckywelder]

That’s nowhere near as nice as the hatch

[@Chb1812]

Doesn’t look to far off an ioniq

[@lukelawrence6007]

That rear is hideous

[@chasingcars]

I hope you mean the car!

[@chasingcars]

But yeah, there are some ungainly angles. I will admit it has grown on me.

[@lukelawrence6007]

Yes I do mean this car 🤣 at least it's more reliable than some merc amg or audi s3 etc

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, if I was buying a car in this class for keeps, I’d be very drawn to the fact this runs Hyundai mechanicals. But if I was only leasing for three years before flipping it, I wouldn’t really care about dodgy reliability down the track.

[@ARobFpv007]

The back of the car just looks 🤮

[@r.a.yacubu4107]

Only on pictures. You have to see it in real life it's really pretty

[@chasingcars]

This car has certain ungainly angles in photos and in real life - but overall I think it looks pretty slick.

[@sotonjoe]

Too much talk

[@chasingcars]

Reviews tend to include talk, hey

[@conza1989]

Seems ok, but isn't a sports car, amazing how many people get this so wrong.

[@chasingcars]

How isn’t it?

[@conza1989]

@@chasingcars Hey a reply! Cool. Well first of all it's a front wheel drive hatchback that's been made into a hotrod, it's not a purpose built sports car like a Mazda MX-5 or Lotus Elan (yes even the front wheel drive one counts). Ute? Not a sports car. Van? Not a sports car. Sedan? Not a sports car. Wagon? Not a sports car. Convertible or Coupe? Not a sports car. It's about what the car was designed to do, this is designed to go fast-er than a standard hatchback, it's an all rounder, and it could subjectively be 8, 9 or even 10 10ths as fun as a sports car, but it's not a sports car.

[@conza1989]

Porsche 911, Mercedes AMG GT, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, these are all sports cars, the 911 is a Coupe, the Vantage and AMG GT are hatchback coupes. BMW M3? Not a sports car, its another hot rod. BMW X5 M? Not a sports car, is as much a sports car as this is, it's a practical car people have made 'faster' for 'performance'. Hope that clears it up a bit for you.

[@Gamemaster1424]

To much talking.

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, it’s terrible when car reviewers actually spend time, you know, reviewing a car

[@Gamemaster1424]

@@chasingcars Actually, someone felt offended. Man you got plenty options to make it more interesting. Just put some more video of the car when you speak. Unless you will become a Mr. Boring reviewer. Cheers✌🏻

[@zacboi94]

nice review, but a cheap car

[@Unknown70896]

How ugly is this this thing 😂😂😂