Review: Hyundai i30 N-Line sports sedan, the sweet spot in the range

What is it:

This is the sporty Hyundai i30 N-Line sedan – without going all the way to the full-blown i30N high-performance version.

It still has turbo petrol power but isn’t quite as nuts as the performance flagship.

We reckon it’s the sweet spot in the range and here’s why.

Price:

The regular version of the Hyundai i30 sedan starts from $31,990 drive-away and tops out with the performance flagship Hyundai i30 N from $57,000 drive-away.

What we are testing is the Hyundai i30 N-Line sedan priced from about $40,000 drive-away.

In Hyundai-speak, N-Line (rather than just the ‘N’ initial) means mild not wild performance.

But we still came away impressed.

ANCAP safety rating:

The Hyundai i30 sedan is currently unrated by European and Australasian crash safety authorities.

Engine:

Under the bonnet of the Hyundai i30 N-Line sedan is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (150kW/265Nm) paired to a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Helpfully, it runs on regular unleaded.

This compares to the Hyundai i30 N performance sedan’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (206kW/392Nm) paired to an eight-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission (or six-speed manual) driving the front wheels.

0 to 100km/h (as tested):

While the high-performance Hyundai i30 N sedan does 0 to 100kmh in a claimed 5.3 seconds, we recorded an impressive time of 7.3 seconds on our precision VBox timing equipment for the Hyundai i30 N-Line sedan.

That’s perkier than the average car but not as quick as its hot hatch sibling.

Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested):

The grip from the Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres (235/40/18) is superb, pulling up in an impressive 37.2 metres.

Good points:

This is a beautifully balanced car with sharp reflexes and accurate controls.

The brakes and steering feel like an extension of your body.

The low-slung stance and grip from the tyres deliver a sports-car-like feeling in corners.

The engine is perky and the gear shifts are smooth.

Despite having a sporty flavour the suspension is comfortable over bumps (taut, rather than bone-jarring).

Long list of standard equipment, including widescreen infotainment display and digital instrument cluster.

Five-year warranty and the support of the vast Hyundai dealer network.

Bad points:

In a world dominated by SUVs, some people may not like the low-slung driving position and having to slink down to get in and out of the driver’s seat.

Service intervals are shorter than average (10,000km or six months, whichever comes first).

Most cars have service intervals of 15,000km or 12 months.

What the haters say:

It’s not the real Hyundai i30 N sedan.

What the haters don’t understand:

This is still a nice car. You get most of the top-end features – and zippy turbocharged performance – but it’s about $16,000 cheaper than the full-blown Hyundai i30 N sedan.

Should you buy one?

If you’re in the market for a handsome sedan that’s nice to drive and leave you with a smile, the Hyundai i30 N-Line is worth adding to your consideration list.

Also consider:

The Hyundai i30 N-Line is almost in a niche of its own. Also consider a Kia Cerato sedan – or for something larger and more frugal, perhaps a Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan.