The Real Deal - 2018 Hyundai i30 N

[@vinceleone5794]

Absolutely comprehensive and most informative video ! Perfect ! You have covered everything ! 👌👌

[@DaveZalstein]

Wow, thanks so much Vince Leone - stoked you enjoyed the video and got so much out of it. Hopefully you'll subscribe and check out some of my other vids too :D

[@wightangel]

Brilliant review . As an owner of the i30N , i know first hand what a great car it is.

[@DaveZalstein]

Glad you liked the video Ray Mew, and a massive congrats on scoring yourself one. What colour did you go with?

[@SCYorks]

I have recently purchased an I30N performance in the UK and love it.

[@DaveZalstein]

Awesome to hear Jason Holt. How are you finding it and have you come across any issues at all?

[@SCYorks]

Dave Zalstein No issues so far covered 3000 miles in it really is a great car for the price.

[@DaveZalstein]

Awesome to hear Jason Holt! Great stuff and enjoy the little guy :D

[@kjenk19]

One of the best and most in-depth reviews I’ve seen of the i30 N. Can’t wait for mine to arrive!

[@DaveZalstein]

Rad to hear Kobi Jenkins, and congrats! Super glad you liked the vid - hope you'll share it around and tune in for more :D Drive safely and enjoy your new ride when it comes...

[@scooternutmick]

The most comprehensive review I’ve seen of this car’s design and functions. I’m super impressed with the i30 N. After riding scooters for ten years this might be the thing that gets me back on four wheels.

[@DaveZalstein]

Haha, cheers Michael Jones - glad you enjoyed the vid and glad you like the car :D

[@swanblake]

Dave you killed it on this review! Amazing work. Could not ask for more from a review. Thank you

[@DaveZalstein]

Wow mate, mega thanks - means a lot to me that people are watching, digging, and (hopefully) sharing these little videos of mine. Now there's pressure to make the rest top notch too ;-)

[@congdang7980]

Shared on the i30 N forum for you.

[@DaveZalstein]

Oh wow Cong Dang, thanks so much! You rock! Have you got an i30 N yourself? If so, what do you think of it and how has it been?

[@congdang7980]

Dave Zalstein It's been great! Definitely a fun car for someone a little older and practical enough for a family without sticking out too much. Your review sums it up nicely. Smiles and giggles all around!

[@DaveZalstein]

Awesome to hear mate and really glad you enjoyed the video - cheers :D

[@SCYorks]

Excellent review I own an I30N performance myself in the UK. Used to own a Ford Focus Rs and prefer this to that for many reasons as follows. 1 Sounds better 2 Better seats and driving position 3 A lot more comfortable suspension. 4 Superior infotainment I had ford sync 2 very slow and lagy. 5 Awful turning circle on Focus far better on Hyundai. 6 Constant worry about engine due to well documented issues with engine.

[@DaveZalstein]

All seem like pretty reasonable points there Jason Holt - good stuff and glad you're loving your new purchase. Cheers for watching and commenting too :D

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

hey mate, I'm going to get one in a few months, how would you say the fuel is on daily drives? Do you use N-custom much or just stick to N? I can't wait! Also do you get any lookers driving this car? :)

[@alexb2612]

I've just upgraded from MK7 Fiesta ST3 Stage 1. Got a '70 plate and haven't really thrashed it yet, love it so far, got it in white aswel. Enjoy your motor 👍

[@o0HD4554551N0o]

Great work, easily the best most informative review i've seen, and i've watched a lot haha

[@DaveZalstein]

Wow Smiles Per Gallon, totally taken aback by that - thanks so much. I just love making these videos and talking about cars to people. The fact peeps seem to be enjoying them is simply loads of icing on a pretty fun cake. Really appreciate the positive feedback though and I hope you like some of my other vids too :D Cheers.

[@o0HD4554551N0o]

Dave Zalstein No problem at all! Keep doing what you love and making great videos 🙂 I'm thinking of buying an i30N soon so this video really helped as you go in to a lot more detail about some of the features than most other reviews 🙂

[@hellogoodthxroche8997]

Agree, great review bud...cheers

[@DaveZalstein]

Awesome sauce! Glad you liked it and glad it was of some help. Thanks again for the kind words and support. More videos to come...

[@DaveZalstein]

Thanks Hello good thx Roche - very much appreciated. And what are you driving, if I may ask?

[@techpappee]

Only thing you forgot is to mention the man behind I30N, Albert Biermann. Formally BMW M division head now working for HMG. Biermann is in charge of driving dynamics throughout the entire line of Hyundai motor group vehicles (Genesis/Kia/Hyundai). Stinger was/is another of his creations. The 2019 Veloster N will be the next vehicle to get this treatment. Released this fall in North America and already available in Korea. Oh and an 8spd DCT is currently in development for future N (and other) vehicles including I30N. I believe it's still a year out, from what I read last at least. Great review!!!

[@DaveZalstein]

Hi Tech Pappee, glad you liked the video! I didn't forget about Biermann, I just wanted to focus on the car. A lot of other people have spoken about Biermann's role in lifting both Hyundai's and Kia's performance game, so I didn't feel me talking more about him added much. That said, his input and influence is obvious and I think both brands will continue to grow in potential from this point on. Are you a Hyundai/Kia fan? Do you own one?

[@mazfosters186]

Great review and I appreciated you taking the time to go through some of the features that others missed on this car. Well done! I (an Aussie living in Paris) am the owner of a golf gti 7.5 performance, yes dsg7. Bought it new less than a year ago. Long story short, I went for a test drive in the i30n 2 days ago and I fell in love. Putting my car for sale and ordering an i30n performabce ASAP! Beyond the badge, and considering how much it costs, this car is nothing short of Amazing. I am not even sure I felt the same way after driving the BMW m4... Removing all badges from the rear is a must do for that cleaner look though. And maybe blacking the front logo.

[@mazfosters186]

BTW, dsg7 gearbox does not produce farts anymore. Another reason to consider a manual

[@DaveZalstein]

Hey Maz fosters, thanks so much for the positive feedback - stoked you liked the vid :D As for the car, yeah, it's hard not to like ay? I don't know about removing or blacking out the badges though mate... Why not embrace your inner Korean car lover and be proud of the Hyundai badge? :-P

[@mazfosters186]

Yeah its an idea. We need to do our bit towards world peace I suppose :)

[@DaveZalstein]

...now that Trump has anyway haha :D

[@Whereismyname34]

Great review Dave!

[@DaveZalstein]

Thanks so much Steve34 - really appreciate the positive feedback and stoked you're digging the vids :D

[@nancemason7394]

So now you need to do an I20N ❤

[@DaveZalstein]

Right?! Have you been out to Haunted Hills before?

[@nancemason7394]

@@DaveZalstein Yes & I love it. Have driven a moderately modified RS3 & An Audi TTRS Performance parts edition around there

[@DaveZalstein]

@@nancemason7394 Sick, sick!

[@Original21panos]

Veryvery very nice review. Nice work!!!

[@DaveZalstein]

Cheers Original 21, I'm just glad people are digging these vids. Have you checked out any of my others at all?

[@PlanetautoUK]

What a car, an amazing vehicle especially on a track, great review, game changer?

[@DaveZalstein]

Cheers Planet Auto. As for the car being a 'game changer'... I think it's fair to say yes, given this is the first genuine hot hatch we've seen from Hyundai and I feel it's only going to be the beginning. Cheers for watching and subscribing :)

[@PlanetautoUK]

Dave Zalstein yes indeed, I was very impressed driving it on a track at a press day, our video has me smiling and grinning constantly. Can’t wait for a 7 day review with it.

[@himedia5354]

BEST REVIEW AND IN SO MUCH DETAILS

[@DaveZalstein]

Oh, thanks so much @himedia5354 - really appreciate all the positive feedback and comments. All the best.

[@hellogoodthxroche8997]

Great review bud, very informative...keep up the great work :) Thank you

[@DaveZalstein]

Not at all, my pleasure. Thanks for watching and (hopefully) for subscribing ;-)

[@hellogoodthxroche8997]

Definitely Subscribed bud, keep up the awesome reviews...cheers Rochie

[@DaveZalstein]

Legend! Will do :)

[@gixxerboy555]

In the 80's we where very lucky if we could buy a Golf GTi ,Ford Escort XR4i ,Ford Escort RS2000,..Opel Kadett GSi 16v,..Renault R5 Turbo or a Lancia Delta HF Turbo...all very fast cars with only...between 130 and 160hp...and now the "new normal" is speaking of GTi's with horsepowers between 240 and 320hp...

[@DaveZalstein]

Hear hear gixxerboy555, crazy times indeed...

[@gixxerboy555]

@@DaveZalstein Hi Dave,i've ordered the same (Blue) i30N as in the video...normally it should come this week but because of the sadly Corona-pandemic..i don't know when i'll get mine now... (my currently car is the i30 1.4 T-GDi with 140hp)...cheers mate,very nice vid btw.. ;)

[@DaveZalstein]

Awesome news @@gixxerboy555 - congrats! Even with the COVID_19 delays, I'm sure you'll be in it soon and able to have some fun shortly after. Not being able to go for drives sucks a bit at the moment, but the health and safety of the everyone is what's important now. Well done again and super stoked you liked the video - feel free to share it around :D Take care mate.

[@gixxerboy555]

@@DaveZalstein thanx Dave just contakted my Hyundai dealer..have to wait another 4 weeks... be safe mate ;)

[@DaveZalstein]

@@gixxerboy555 Better than eight weeks mate... Enjoy and you too :D

[@HaveOneWithHans]

Hey Dave, long time fan of you and the crew at Car Advice, love your work champion!!!! just curious if you still have the 2006 polo gti??? i bought the 2016 facelift polo gti couldnt be happier hehe, Your Redline is outrages btw

[@DaveZalstein]

Hey Nick Gatis, thanks for the kind words and support. I actually left CA late last year and am flying solo these days. I also had to sell my little Polo GTI (and my hillclimb-spec S13 Sileighty) to make room for the silly green ute. Glad you're liking the videos though, that's great news, and also stoked you're having fun in your own Polo GTI - fun cars those :D Cheers mate.

[@vagsvags3884]

Perfect presentation! Keep up!

[@DaveZalstein]

Wow Vags Vags, thanks so much. Always striving for better but really appreciate the positive feedback. Hope you like some of my other vids too. Cheers.

[@paulditrap2858]

Just ordered i30n hatch with luxury pack, sunroof and led footwell package, in micron grey, like the blue but everyone seems to review it, different colour for me

[@DaveZalstein]

Nah Paul Ditrap, excellent choice. I really dig the Micron Grey and it'll look tough on the road. Congrats and enjoy it mate. Hope you liked the video :D

[@kjenk19]

I just ordered one too. Got the lux pack but didn’t go the sunroof. It was a tough choice between the Micron Grey and PB but I ended up getting it in PB. Can’t wait for it to arrive!

[@Philbyyyy]

Informative review!

[@DaveZalstein]

Cheers - much appreciated and glad you liked the video :D

[@e1337prodigy]

Nice vid of all the details

[@DaveZalstein]

Thanks e1337prodigy - hope you found it interesting, informative, and helpful.

[@honshin23]

fun to drive... good review

[@DaveZalstein]

It really is Hon Shin, and glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks so much :)

[@SuperShotgun300]

Very awesome review Dave, I'm definitely thinking about getting one of these when I'm off my P's! A little bit more saving to do first, though hahah

[@DaveZalstein]

Worth the saving though mate. To have something like this as a first car off your P-plates would be mega - good luck and drive safe. Glad you liked the video too ;-)

[@SuperShotgun300]

Hey Dave, update: I put a deposit down on an i30N Performance, should be picking it up next week!!

[@alexb2612]

Just bought a white one of these, love it.

[@DaveZalstein]

Nice one Alex B. Having a ball with it already? Anything you don't like with it?

[@alexb2612]

@@DaveZalstein Yeah I like it alot. The only thing I find that lets it down is the crazy axle tramp when it's damp/wet. Apparently it's the P Zero tyres that contribute alot to this, so the sooner I can get some new tyres the better. I probably will get some soon and just keep the P Zeros for the backs.

[@DaveZalstein]

@@alexb2612 You just need to be a touch more mindful of the throttle... Cheaper than new rubber ;-) Congrats on your purchase though and stoked to hear you're loving it.

[@alexb2612]

@@DaveZalstein Yeah you are probably right. They have just got me home from work in bad snow, so they aren't actually that bad 😁

[@DaveZalstein]

@@alexb2612 Good news all around :D Drive safe mate.

[@girdsy9971]

Don't know if I should go for the i30 n or the gts 86. Just a daily driver and no track. The 86 exterior looks nicer and is rwd and looks like fun, but the i30 n has more tech with better interior and more practicality and speed. Opinions anyone?

[@DaveZalstein]

Cheers for the question Daniel Griffiths, and it's a good one. My two cents... If you don't mind the 86's lack of space and limited technology, it's a cracking car that's hugely entertaining and engaging. That said, the i30 N package is beyond compelling, plus it's definitely 'easier' to live with every day than an 86. Either way though, you're bound to end up with a smile on your face :-D

[@UTubeSL]

Hi Daniel, I have an i30N and can wholeheartedly recommend it! I reckon both are fantastic for different reasons. RWD is likely to be more fun on backroads, and the pure sportscar feel will probably be better in the Toyota. The Hyundai feels and sounds so much fun at all speeds - it is a fun car. It is faster. The Hyundai warranty may be better depending on region. Etc. BUT! My strong advice is, drive them both more than once and on decent length test drives, and see which one you love most! Best Steve

[@DaveZalstein]

@@UTubeSL Sound advice from Steve Lane there Daniel Griffiths. Let us know what you decide and how you get on :)

[@DukeBen316663]

Is it more fun to drive than your Redline ute Dave?

[@DaveZalstein]

Haha, I was waiting for this question Ben Muir... I'd say the two are just very different as opposed to one being better than the other. The ute I love because it's mine, it's got that archaic pushrod V8 under the bonnet, and I just love being in it. That said, the i30 N is totally a car I'd own if I had the space and money for it. What wheels have you got, if I may ask? And what would you pick out of the ute or the i30 N?

[@DukeBen316663]

Dave Zalstein I have a VF2 Redline sedan manual red with a black roof. Your Christmas Day Car Advice review of it helped me towards that choice. I’ve since sought out some of the same roads plus a Sandown track day, love it! I haven’t driven the I30 but it’d probably be my hot hatch choice at present.

[@DaveZalstein]

Oh super cool Ben! I remember that drive... If you ever come back down to Sandown for a track day with Driver Dynamics (driverdynamics.com/), gimmie a yell, I'm often found instructing for them these days ;-) But yes, agreed, I think the i30 N is a bit of hot sauce right now...

[@timwilson5471]

Dave Zalstein best instructor Dave.

[@DaveZalstein]

Haha! Hey Tim, glad you liked the video and clearly enjoyed the day with Driver Dynamics - awesome stuff :D

[@tankmaverick99]

Im Not really sold on the first generation of this car, but it shows potential for sure

[@DaveZalstein]

Couldn't agree with you more tankmaverick99. I think this first iteration is bloody good, but the i30 N - like the Golf GTI has done over many years - is only going to improve with time. Thanks so much for watching :)

[@kestasnarkunas7166]

Ordered i30 fastback N and worried about ground clearance. It is lower than the one you have reviewed, but you did mention that roads are terrible where you are. So does your Hyundai scrape much?

[@themarenda]

I didn't drive it, but it has a bit more than 13cm ground clearance, the only problems could be the sidewalks. The other thing that some people complain is tyre wear, but you have to realise that it has performace tyres which wear faster and if you put lsd in n mode it's gonna wear even faster at low speeds, not by much but just a thing to keep in mind because there are pros and cons to everything, but this car is definitely a big pro, a lot of people judge his interior but they didn't care about the one in evo or impreza, they are just badge snobs or jelous pricks

[@swanblake]

Dave on my Genesis Coupe I use to have, the six speed manual had a lot of play and slop, did they fix this on the i30 N? I know you mentioned it doesn't go in quite like you like so just hoping you and expand upon that? Thanks

[@DaveZalstein]

Hey Blake Swan, it definitely didn't have any sort of play or slop, it was more that, for me anyway, it just wasn't quite as slick as say a Golf GTI manual or an MX-5. Not bad, just not money... Make sense?

[@swanblake]

Dave Zalstein makes senses. Sounds like they did a great job updating it for this vehicle. Very impressive. Thanks

[@DaveZalstein]

No worries. I think Hyundai really was at maximum attack with this car. They knew it had to be good to compete in this space, and they've worked hard to make it a genuine contender.

[@Iron883Man]

Don't know if you are aware but the Golf GTi has a pretty standard non-sporty gearshift. It doesn't differ from a regular 1.5 TSI Golf. The shift and gearbox of the Type R are considered best in market and the i30 N comes pretty close to it. You can't even compare the sloppy, long throw, non fortified gearbox of a GTI to that of an i30 N...or any other hardcore hot hatch for that matter (Megane RS, Focus RS, Type R, … ). It's one of the reasons Golf GTi's get sold with a DSG most of the time.

[@DaveZalstein]

Hey TheDudeInTheRedHotHatch, I understand that a Golf GTI has a less 'sporty' gearbox, my point is that it's always had an excellent shift action, and the shift is what I was talking about. I agree that other cars such as the Megane and Focus RS have more rigid shift actions, and that's fine, but that standard Golf GTI action is pretty slick - rather than sloppy. I'd also struggle to agree with you that the GTI's shift action is why so many cars get sold with the DSG... DSG makes up about 90+ per cent of sales these days - I don't believe that comes down to the shift action on the manual cars, but rather the majority of people preferring paddles and an automatic transmission. Cheers all the same though.

[@burtman598]

gday, great review for me being a tech dummy . i saved the vid , i pick up my new N tamorra

[@DaveZalstein]

Awesome stuff Burt Man and a massive congrats! a) I'm stoked you liked the vid - thank you. b) How's the car? Did you get the hatchback or the Fastback? Cheers for watching too mate and for the kind words :D

[@burtman598]

@@DaveZalstein Gday Dave, I got the blue fastback mate. Fckn awesome.Im very lost with all the tech. Im an ol bloke who only got my first mobile phone in the past yr or so. Im stuck in the 1960's. They only things I really know, is what the car does automatically, like when the lights are on and going slowly extra light shines on the footpath so that you can see pedestrians. Or how the seat moves back to let you out when you turn the car off. Besides that im fcked. I don't even know how to set up my phone in the car. My last car a 2000 ford cougar that i had for 19yrs had no technology . I don't have a clue where to even start. The manual just confuses me more . Goodonya mate Burt

[@DaveZalstein]

@@burtman598 Haha, you'll be right mate. In all honesty, take some time but also just spend 15-20min at your local dealership - they should easily be able to take you through a variety of things and in your own time. Enjoy it, learn it, but most of all, have fun in it and stay safe. Hope to see you out on track with it at some point... All the best mate :D

[@burtman598]

@@DaveZalstein Goodonya Dave, spent some time with the dealer today and he setup my phone. Ill get there. Mate you will see me on the track, few boys at work are into it. Im doing a couple of advance driver courses. First one next month at eastern creek.

[@DaveZalstein]

@@burtman598 Great to hear! Driver training and track days with instructors are a top idea, plus keep an eye out on the N Performance Facebook page for upcoming N Owner events and track days - they do a lot of good stuff. All the best and stay safe :D

[@skgp2443]

I30N GOOD💓

[@jhndijkman]

Excellent review once again. I'm keen on the Toyota 86 also. Question for you is what is 130N like as daily driver. And for that matter the 86, same question.

[@DaveZalstein]

Hi again jhndijkman. Personally, I think I'd be happy with either an 86 or an i30N as a daily. The Hyundai is easily more practical - being a hatchback - and you get loads of standard features, equipment, and technology. The adaptive suspension, exhaust, and diff are all really cool, plus you've got the different driving modes as well. The Toyota is simple and more basic - also more affordable - but arguably more pure in its execution. Space is more limited, but if you're after rear-wheel drive and impeccable steering and engagement, it's the 86 all the way. Hope that helps mate and thanks again for watching and subscribing :)

[@wightangel]

I have one has a daily ride and i can tell you it is very easy to live with. It has good petrol consumption(unless you floor it everywhere). It has a nice audio system with some nice sounding speakers(not up to B&O standard) but if you want that kind of sound then you will miss out on the best sound of all and that is the exhaust sound. I fully recommend it.

[@DaveZalstein]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and joining the discussion Ray Mew. And glad to hear you're loving your i30 N :D

[@Sash-gt8rv]

Did I see right or did it say 210kw on the screen

[@DaveZalstein]

Eh, not on my video. The car has 202kW but I didn't have any on-screen graphic for it. Where did you see it?

[@Sash-gt8rv]

@@DaveZalstein at about 11:26 into the video bottom right of the info screen on the car looks like it max kw output is 210kw

[@DaveZalstein]

@@Sash-gt8rv Ah, yes! You're right. So that's just for the performance meter - it also lists 400Nm, even though the car only generates up to 378Nm on overboost. But yeah, so far, the i30 N only makes 202kW, not 210kW. Good pickup and I hope you liked the video too :D

[@Sash-gt8rv]

@@DaveZalstein yeah good video mate got straight to it the point not like those other Jeremy Clarkson wannabes vids I've seen ...Good review Iam looking to get one of these bad boys but with the dct still a long wait lol

[@DaveZalstein]

@@Sash-gt8rv Haha, legend mate - thanks! DCT shouldn't be too much longer, hopefully towards the end of the year. I have heard it should be worth the wait though, so all the best with it ;-)

[@haemin8759]

Do you know the towing capacity on this car? C'mon. You're in Aussie, and I'm in NZ. We love water. I wanna tow my jet boat on this, not on my 911T.

[@DaveZalstein]

Hey H, all good brother, I've got your back: Braked towing capacity - 1600kg Unbraked towing capacity - 700kg Hope that helps :)

[@haemin8759]

@@DaveZalstein Fabulous! Happy new year to you

[@DaveZalstein]

@@haemin8759 Thanks H, you too - hope it's a gooden.

[@ikarugaxx3749]

They made the Golf GTI unpurchasable for me by restricting buying options to the DSG gearbox only.

[@DaveZalstein]

Really good point ikaruga xx - perhaps an opportunity for enthusiasts to get back behind the wheel of a fun manual hot hatch. Cheers for watching and commenting!

[@candycorn6434]

ikaruga xx you can get a manual transmission

[@ikarugaxx3749]

@@candycorn6434 Not in all markets (in most EU countries you can't)

[@DaveZalstein]

@@ikarugaxx3749 Yup, Australia now too - no manuals anymore :(

[@dasspr]

This black grill, this silver accent, this red accent, this tail light, this bumper.... lol