Living With a Hyundai i30N | 15,000 Mile Review

15,000 miles later what do I like and what don't I like about my Hyundai i30n. This model has been out for nearly 4 years so we already know a bit about the car, but what is it actually like to live with?
Please like, subscribe and comment what you think of the i30N and would you buy one over it's rivals? Also leave any suggestions for things I could do better down in the comments below - I can definitely improve with my videos and the only way is up!
Twitter: GenuinelyLAS
Instagram: GenuinelyLAS

[@maxspencer1151]

Wicked vid. Obsessed with these at the moment, walked into Ken Brown Letchworth Hyundai and test drove a facelift DCT on the weekend which was amazing!! Looking at 2.5k down 500ish a month vs 360ish for a pre facelift manual. Need to drive a manual pre I think

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I appreciate that thank you! I need to try a DCT but I’ve heard great things. A pre facelift manual is definitely worth a go if for no other reason that to cause some mayhem haha! Is that an m135i/140i in your picture? Was that an auto?

[@Enviouskibbles]

let us know what you did

[@joeknight6151]

december and i get my hands on the dct in shadow grey. cannot wait! excellent video, got a proper owners perspective and not just a car journo. sub defo earned

[@JMB1891]

What kind of deal did you get? Been looking but the deals aren’t that great in my experience.

[@joeknight6151]

@@JMB1891 I won it mate 😂😅lucky sod I know. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6aohYVsqtl8eLM

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Thought I recognised the name! Massive congrats, (definitely more skill than luck BOTB I reckon) and I appreciate that thank you💪🏾, if you have any other questions give me a shout👍🏾

[@GenuinelyLAS]

@JB I’ve usually heard of quite good deals on carwow around Black Friday/end of Nov, but they may have cooled off a bit because the new model came out not long ago - worth a look though

[@joeknight6151]

@@GenuinelyLAS ah i dunno took a few attempts ahaha. will do fella cant bloody wait!

[@andrewlukinsmusic]

Great video man! Really detailed owners review! I'm hoping to get one of these second hand soon. I've had two test drives so far and absolutely loved it!

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Thanks Andrew, means a lot! Now that sounds exciting, as someone who has had two test drives what did you like and not like about it? It’d be interesting to hear! Oh and what colour?

[@jimmythebeast8279]

As we speak I am finalizing my papers for the damn bank financial plan. They better approve it so I get my i30N or else bad things will happen ! :D Loved the vid, thank you for all the information.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Damn right they better or I’ll storm Hyundai HQ with you! Thanks for watching!

[@billsmith9016]

Great vid. I'm picking up mine on Monday 11/10/21, 8 speed DCT in black, can't wait. I'm in New Zealand by the way.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I appreciate that Bill! Big congrats on that, let me know how you find it a Genuinely LAS going worldwide haha!

[@qmass]

how long was delivery ?

[@fatino1234]

@@qmass Im still waiting for mine, 3 months passed...

[@suzukik9833]

Best 4 cyl exhaust note

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Agreed! Sounds like a baby rally car

[@joec-PC]

Thorough and honest, good vid!

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I appreciate that Joe thanks! Definitely better vids to come!

[@Mgough1200]

I'm looking to get one of these either this month or the next, but a 2019 version. Funny you said that the interior was a bit bleak/basic. I was actually planning on adding a few trim lines around some of the dash and doors to give it a more colourful feel. I'm going for the pale/sky blue type one so will probs go with that colour too. From what I can tell, the interior is the only thing that is somewhat of a letdown. Will definitely be adding a new sports air induction kit too at some point too lol. Great review mate!

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Mega my man! Let me know how you find it! I actually did buy some of that trim stuff, I went for red, but couldn’t dig deep enough to find the effort to fit it haha! I think the air induction is a great shout as well and I did actually look into getting light blue seatbelts (before I went with Micron Grey), like the Veloster N in the states but it was pretty pricey last time I checked. Thanks for watching though, I appreciate it!

[@EvoBeard]

Fantastic review, only just saw this now as my mate just purchased a late 21' i30N Performance 8-spd DCT (he was going to buy brand new, but was too impatient to wait until December, so he purchased an ex-test-drive car with 4k on the clock from the Dealer, 300 miles away). You hit every point on the head from a legit driver's perspective. I only spent time in the passenger seat of his for a bit, and drove it for like 30minutes, but man what a machine. It invokes confidence, you're the only person I've seen that has mentioned that the steering wheel really IS chunky lol. I also said to him he'll be better off getting some PS4S rubber from the P-Zero's too. Before I heard the i30N, I was never keen on pops&bangs, I love my cars but every car I heard them on just seemed trashy and obnoxious (apart from Rally cars). The i30N makes you giggle like a lunatic when you hear them emit from it. Great review. 👍

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Really appreciate this comment and sorry it took so long to get back to it but what a story! Could not agree more about the pops and bangs and the steering wheel being thick enough to stop a bullet! How did you find the DCT? I’m hoping to make a video comparing it to a manual car so would be great to get your opinion from a passenger’s point of view!

[@EvoBeard]

@@GenuinelyLAS No need to apologise, it's a long comment haha. And hey, thanks for the reply! The DCT is surprisingly nice. The tuning aspect of the car really makes it shine as you can have it aggressively geared or smooth as butter and economical. In aggressive gearing, it'll hover around 6th gear at 60mph, but still return decent MPG, it's very responsive compared to softer gearing as you can imagine. DCT without a doubt is fantastic for extracting raw performance from the i30N. We have comparably powered cars and in a 3rd to 4th roll we're level, then the DCT leaves me far behind. For daily driving, DCT wins in terms of ease of use. Again it's very easy to drive, especially in slow moving traffic. It's super easy to drop gears with the paddles for pops & bangs in a tunnel too, so you never miss out on having juvenile fun either. Manual is still the most raw fun though, for pure enjoyment there's still nothing that beats dropping down 2 gears and flooring it with a manual, or getting the perfect shift yourself and the sense of achievement that goes along with it. It's a very earnest experience compared to the modern auto boxes, no matter how advanced and smart they are, they do take away that sense of direct connection to the happenings of the vehicle. Whenever he jumps in my car for a spin, he wishes he got the manual, but with the fact he's done circa 13k miles in nearly 4 months, I think the DCT made it a much easier experience.

[@MrAndyp25]

Hi, I really enjoyed your review, I ve had mine just over a year I had a 2013 1.4 i30 which I loved and had It 7 years so going for the I30N was the next spent for me and what a shock it was SO BLOODY FAST! I test drove it and bought it straight away, I even drove it home the same day! I ve got a Ram Air cone filter on mine, it creates a lovely turbo flutter and a Turbosmart Blow off valve, RPM Performance Flexi pipe, which has given me better pops and bangs also RPM Performance exhaust tips. Are you on the Hyundai I30N UK forum?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Thanks Andrew, it’s appreciated! Now that is a mega jump, I felt exactly the same way when I hopped in one haha! Those upgrades sound like the definition of i30N+! I’ve been eyeing up a ram air cone and a blow off valve to give me max fast and the furious haha! I’m in the N-cars.not forum and in a local group but not on that one I don’t think.

[@johnadam5702]

Picking up a 1.5 t-gdi Fastback i30 tomorrow. Seems like all the juicy mods are for the N model, as opposed to the N-Line which my car is. Great video!

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Nice one! There are definitely some spicy bits for the N model, but I’ve definitely seen some equally spicy bits on the N-Line! What have you got planned for it?

[@scottsinclair1364]

I have a 19 plate i30 N fastback shadow grey. Have to say it is a brilliant drivers car. This review is excellent 👌🏼 covers all the main points ( do change the tyres to PS4’s !) and I now might go for the grill surround. Looks smart . it would be good to get your opinion on the dct version that everyone is going on about.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Oh mega! I saw the fastback in shadow grey not long after it came out and nearly made an impulsive change haha! Great looking car! I appreciate that thank you and definitely PS4’s should be the standard type I think and the grill surround on a shadow grey would definitely only add to the looks I reckon! It’s definitely a car I want to try, I’m going to try and have a go in one soon and make a video on it for sure💪🏾

[@artung842]

Awesome review mate! Super helpful.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@chanwtv]

Yeah, Im running a N same Coulour. Had just over a Year with only 2.5k miles from New. But good to see a long term review.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Mega! How are you finding it? It sounds like a weekend blast toy for you which is cool to see

[@chanwtv]

@@GenuinelyLAS Its actually my Daily :) But I'm Playing at Semi Retirement :) I Love the Car its Still a Hoot

[@lyubomirmirchev7947]

Thank you for the review, that really helped, what would you say is your combined mpg, in city and motorway please?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Thank you for watching! I’d say roughly between 26-29mpg, it definitely depends on how much you drive on the motorway because that really bumps up the combined mpg I’d say. I did mostly in city driving

[@1800dontcare]

Wasn't a huge fan of Hyundai due to past issues with them but! this car looks great and sounds down right bloody sexy! if I didn't need to get a more spacious and more family friendly car this would be the one I would spend my money on!

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Definitely see where you are coming from, how they’ve come on has been wild to see! Maybe the Kona N could be more up your street but to say that’s family friendly is a push in fairness! Hahah

[@1800dontcare]

@@GenuinelyLAS I'm a Subaru lover by heart so we've gone with the Subaru Outback however* when it comes to having my mid life crisis I'll look at the i30 N and trust me I'm not far off having one hahahaha

[@infectedN8]

finally proper user review :) Do you like seat height ? I heard it is quite high ... which is a show stopper for me.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Someone has to hahah! I do think it is relatively high in the pre facelift models, but the new model does come with optional bucket seats which I believe are a decent bit lower!

[@hunterkiller9991]

I just ordered mine 2 days a go. Getting the nice light blue colour and manual transmission. Gotta wait about 9 months tho... :(

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Nice one what a combo! That’s a lengthy wait but I’m sure I’ll be worth it! Did you test drive any other cars before ordering your i30n? I always find it interesting to see what other cars were on the shortlist!

[@hunterkiller9991]

@@GenuinelyLAS I was thinking about the peugeot 308 Gti but I can't order one anymore. I also thought about the Honda civic tyoe R but it looks too aggressive personally for daily use.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Oh fair, it’s a shame about the 308 gti I’d love to have a go. I can see what you mean about the civic type r, it’ a shame the new one had such a price hike

[@Orihe]

6,000 miles into mine and love it!

[@clapham4life]

Great vid....I'm currently mulling over getting a grey one like yours (glad to see a vid with a grey instead of blue!!) and selling my Cupra R estate. May I ask how you did the grill and badges? Are they plasti dipped?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I appreciate that James thanks! Always nice to mix it up colour wise haha! So the grill was a matte black wrap (£90 at my local wrapping shop) and the black badge was just off of eBay, (it came with an adhesive) only a few pounds! Also interesting change from Cupra R estate, what made you go for the change?

[@clapham4life]

@@GenuinelyLAS that's a good price for that, thanks for the info. There is a chance with this crazy used car market I may be able to sell my Cupra for 4-5k more than I bought it for after having it for just over a year and putting 10k miles on it and then if I buy an i30N for 25-26k I could have 6-8k in my bank instead. Seems like too good an opportunity to miss. I see in another comment you would have preferred a pre gpf car.....any reason why? More noise? Less restrictive when modding? Interested as I was looking at gpf cars, totally forgot about the gpf thing

[@GenuinelyLAS]

That would be insane, Cupra R and Golf R estates are going bananas how could you not in fairness! My bad for not being clear, I actually have a non-gpf that I was recommending mainly based on the sound! The overrun on a non-gpf definitely has more burbles and crackles and genuinely sounds like a mini rally car sometimes! A fair few guys I know with gpf cars try and get a gpf delete early doors as well. The ‘19 plate onwards have a slightly softer suspension and the gpf so it’s a bit of a trade off

[@clapham4life]

@@GenuinelyLAS ah ok thanks for that. Interesting to know. Where are you based? I kinda want a proper run out in an i30N before I make a decision and it's really hard to get a good test drive from a dealer. If you were nearby to me I was going to cheekily ask if you'd take me for a spin in yours

[@gixxerboy555]

Very nice car,I miss mine but never would have sold it if the suspension 'even in normal stand' wouldn't have been so firm ..now I own a Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid..though sometimes..I miss the I30N..maybe I just had to switch to 18" tyres..?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I feel that, I do think 18” tyres make a difference from what I’ve heard, but I really like the look of the 19s so I’ll just have to keep bouncing around on a flat road! How’s the Ioniq hybrid?

[@airbusxwb2047]

Great video, thank you! Thinking of switching to this car as I'm not happy with my Mini Cooper JCW

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Thank you I appreciate it! That’s interesting I’ve never driven one but thought they were quite cool - does it not live up to the coolness haha!

[@airbusxwb2047]

@@GenuinelyLAS well it is definitely cool haha, but it has way too many flaws and the driving dynamics are quite poor near or on the limit.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Ahh I see what you mean, now that’s a let down I wasn’t expecting! Are there any other cars you’d consider switching to? I feel like there are so many good options for a similar price now!

[@airbusxwb2047]

@@GenuinelyLAS there are quite a few options, but after calculating the costs there actually aren't that many to choose from. I am looking at the GR Yaris, I30N, BMW M2, Supra MK5 and BMW M140i. The Yaris would be perfect, but the seats are too high up for me and replacing them would add quite a bit. As I'm planning to go for a few track days this year and because I love driving twisty mountain roads and passes, a RWD or AWD car would be great. Do you have any suggestions? I really appreciate your replies btw!

[@GenuinelyLAS]

That’s actually a really tough one! But a great variety of choices! I know what you mean about the GR Yaris and I’ve actually heard that as mega as it is the it can actually feel a bit samey after a while! I think the M2 (If it’s a competition model) could be the best move or an m140i because of the amount of character they both have! I think supras are extremely cool but maybe less practical and more expensive? No problem at all I’m happy sorry this is so late but to me this is what having a channel is all about! Talking to like minded people :)

[@darthwaffleass696]

Great video

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching

[@darthwaffleass696]

Hoping to get mine end of the year. Does it still put a smile on your face every day?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Not bad as Christmas presents go! Oh absolutely every time I get out of it I look back it at and smile, (I rarely am not in it haha) and not just that, but the number of people that have come up to me and asked me about it has been really really cool

[@darthwaffleass696]

@@GenuinelyLAS haha I can’t wait mate I’ll let you know when I get it

[@darthwaffleass696]

@@GenuinelyLAS getting mine tomorrow in performance blue!! Mate I’m f ing buzzin!! It’s a perfect car for me doesn’t need anything changing out the box it comes with side skirts, a spoiler, a splitter, a diffuser and so much more. I had a Leon Fr and don’t get me wrong best car I’ve ever had better than my GTD but I had to add bits on which then fucks your insurance and so on. This car out the box and the exhaust especially. What a car! Serious answer…. Do you find your car turns heads or just sorta blends in?

[@knastaben3849]

Thinking of getting one as a Driver instructor car 😅 How is the exhaustsound if you go full eco? I have looket all over the internet and can´t find a video of that… 😂 Does it still pop and Bang, or is it pretty decent in volume? As a driving instructor, most of the time Will be though town… I don`t want to be the driving School all grownup hates, because the car Goes poppoppoppop 40.000km/year in town 😂

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Haha! I hope you did end up getting one I’d love to have had that as a learner! It’s a decent volume without the pops and bangs and is definitely quite tame!

[@georgebates728]

I'm getting one this week. Question: Where did you get that keyring?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Congrats! Did you go for DCT or manual? So I got the key ring off of someone who was making them on the N-cars.net forum, if you search key rings the thread will probably pop up!

[@georgebates728]

@@GenuinelyLAS I went Manual, 2020 pre facelift. My god, what a car! It has the performance pack too

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Mega choice, that’s exactly how I felt when I first got mine! Big congrats mate💪🏾

[@souztaks5804]

Is the suspension on the stiff side when on Normal/Eco mode?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

It’s fine in normal and eco! My favourite was to use the custom mode to turn everything to the sportiest setting and then leave the suspension on the normal setting

[@r3dp3anut41]

If you don’t mind me asking, could you share how you afforded this car? Whether through pcp finance or bought outright? I ask because I am a young guy in my 20s and have wanted to get one of these since they came out, but I’m not sure pcp is wise. Perhaps I should suck it up and buy one outright when the time comes?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

So I did mine with pcp through Carwow, (around 20% off list at the time), I recommend it if you don’t want to sink all of the cash into a car and want to invest it or something. On reflection I should/would now have waited for 17 and 18 plates, (pre gpf) to come onto the used market and financed the whole thing through HP instead. I’d only pay cash for something I thought was an appreciating modern classic!

[@r3dp3anut41]

@@GenuinelyLAS haha yes! I completely understand the predicament but none of us could have foreseen how well the pre facelift would have held value, on-top of the insane inflation of the used car market.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

For sure! It did make me borderline emotional, but even just in terms of financing a smaller amount! I remember seeing the pre facelifts at one point at 18/19k, which would have nicely reduced monthly payments for sure

[@r3dp3anut41]

@@GenuinelyLAS tell me about it pal! 🤣 I remember those too, they days where I should of made the decision to buy! Would have been a free car effectively… 😂

[@GenuinelyLAS]

You and me both, my bank account reminds me on a monthly basis!

[@calvincleveland4423]

Can you tell me please roughly what mpg you get max and min? Really looking into getting the DCT but not sure.

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Carefully driving on a motorway around 36/37 mpg and around town 26/27ish. But in full hoon mode around town low 20’s (2nd gear heavy but probably on average 21-24mpg). DCT should definitely be a decent bit better

[@Tom7878978789]

Just wondering where you got the black badge and grill surround?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

So the black badges I just got off of eBay abs the grill surround I actually just had the originally surround wrapped at my local wrapping shop!

[@niazkhan3225]

Hi just letting you guys know my experience with my i30n bought it brand new great car really enjoyed it for a while and motor blew up round about 12000km never reach its first service wich was at 15000km or if had reach 1year hyundai not prepared to cover me all they said they don't cover over ref and the car is driven by to hard so I really don't understand that I never like hyundai until the i30n came out thinking its a strong car the way they advertise it but I think advertising is stronger than the car its self

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I have heard this happen to 1 or 2 people in the n cars forum which already is too much - sorry to hear that man, it isn’t right at all

[@muckspreader1able]

Just bought a new golf r and had it 6 months .Covered 3000 mile and guess what .Yep the gearbox blew on it and so did the top end.Spoke to VW who wanted nothing to do with it and put it down to wear and tear.Gutted.Ended up buying an Audi S3 had that for 3 months and guess what ?Set fire and Audi said it was a faulty heater matrix.

[@coolchow]

Is the sunroof for uk available now?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Still no unfortunately, I really think it’s a missed opportunity but what can you do!

[@roger9605]

Where do u buy the black Hyundai logos?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

I originally got mine off of eBay when they were quite cheap, so not sure of where else sells them!

[@grantkahale8933]

Maybe not enough sun in the UK for a sunroof 😅

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Haha atleast I’ll be able to look at the cloud and rain in HD!

[@playingfor4]

Is exhaust stock ?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Yep it’s a 2018 plate pre the particulate filter and they are definitely louder than 2019 plates onwards

[@golfgti6806]

I drove the new i30n and made my golf R feel dull😆

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Haha can’t go wrong with a bit of juvenile flare! Do you think the golf R feels like the better daily driver though? I’m curious to know

[@TheFreakishlemon]

What is this colour called?

[@GenuinelyLAS]

This is Micron Grey

[@nowonder2798]

you need a light to shift ? *rofl*

[@GenuinelyLAS]

Somehow I manage to shift without lights, not sure how!