Best Hyundai hot hatchbacks
Hyundai’s hot hatchbacks are tested at the fearsome Nürburging in Germany. Here are the best N cars you can buy
Buying a Hyundai hot hatchback allows your head to live in harmony with your heart. You get the performance and exhilaration you’d expect from a hot hatchback, with the reassurance of a five-year warranty with no mileage limit. It’s like having your hot hatchback cake and eating it, whatever that means.
The ‘N’ badge is to Hyundai what GTI is to Volkswagen, RS is to Ford and Type R is to Honda. Regular cars with more power, improved cornering, more aggressive styling and an interior makeover. It all started in 2018 when Hyundai launched the i30 N, a car good enough to rival hot hatchback greats like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R.
The i30 N was soon joined by the Veloster N (not sold in the UK), i30 Fastback N, i20 N and Kona N. Not all of them are hatchbacks, but they certainly tick the box marked ‘hot’. Every high-performance N car is designed in South Korea before being tested at the gruelling Nürburgring race track in Germany. Indeed, the ‘N’ stands for Nürburgring.
Every N car features a choice of five driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and N Custom. These can be configured at the touch of a button on the steering wheel, with the N Custom enabling you to create a driving experience that suits you.
1. Hyundai i20 N
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Launched in 2021, the Hyundai i20 N hit the headlines for being the closest rival to the Ford Fiesta ST, widely considered to be the best affordable hot hatchback on the planet. Hardly surprising, when you discover that the i20 N was inspired by the championship-winning i20 Coupe WRC rally car.
Power is sourced from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 204hp and 275Nm of torque. With launch control enabled, the i20 N will hit 62mph in just 6.2 seconds before reaching a top speed of 143mph.
Highlights include a six-speed manual gearbox, front disc brakes that are 40mm larger than the regular i20, a mechanical limited-slip differential, rev-matching, 18-inch alloy wheels, Pirelli tyres and a WRC-look rear spoiler.
On the inside, the i20 N features sport seats with heating, a perforated leather N steering wheel, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.3-inch touchscreen media display with sat-nav.
2. Hyundai i30 N
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This is where it all began for Hyundai’s N badge. Launched in 2018, the i30 N was available as a ‘standard’ hot hatchback or with an optional Performance Pack. Hyundai facelifted the i30 N in 2021, when the Performance Pack became standard equipment in the UK.
All versions are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 250hp in standard form or 275hp in the more popular Performance Pack guise. This was increased to 280hp as part of the 2021 facelift. The use of launch control will propel the latest i30 N to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds.
The 2021 facelift also included the addition of an optional eight-speed automatic transmission, but all earlier cars come with a six-speed manual gearbox. The automatic transmission comes with a so-called N Grin Shift, which holds on to the lowest possible gear for the longest possible time, along with maximising the soundtrack from the exhaust.
Highlights of the current i30 N include 19-inch alloy wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tyres, heated front seats, climate control, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and push-button start, a 10.3-inch touchscreen media display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also look out for the Drive-N edition, which features a standard-fit automatic transmission, 19-inch matte bronze alloy wheels, N Light seats, black badges, and exterior decals.
3. Hyundai i30 Fastback N
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Technically, the Hyundai i30 Fastback N isn’t a hot hatchback. Fastback is Hyundai speak for four-door coupe, although it retains the glass tailgate of the hatchback. Confused? All you need to know is that the i30 Fastback has a larger boot than the i30 hatchback, but less headroom for rear-seat passengers.
The visual changes are obvious, but the Fastback is more than just a rakish version of the popular hatchback. It’s ever so slightly softer than the regular i30 N, although you’re unlikely to notice this in the real world. Power is sourced from the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, producing 275hp before the facelift, and 280hp after the nip and tuck. The UK i30 Fastback N has only ever been offered in Performance guise.
Like the i30 N, the Fastback N gained the option of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in 2021, which gets the best out of the 2.0-litre engine. The six-speed manual gearbox is good, but the DCT adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
Highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, Pirelli tyres, heated front seats, climate control, a heated steering wheel, a 10.3-inch touchscreen media display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
4. Hyundai Kona N
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We could be accused of stretching the definition of a hot hatchback by including the Hyundai Kona N, but this crossover comes from the same stable as the other N cars, so it’s quite a thoroughbred. Besides, many people prefer small SUVs to family hatchbacks, so the Kona N is relevant to a lot of buyers.
Power is sourced from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 280hp, which is enough to propel the Kona N to 62mph in just 5.5 seconds with launch control engaged. Hyundai’s excellent eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is fitted as standard, which can be used in automatic or manual modes.
It even features a so-called N Track Sense Shift, which activates when it knows you’re on a race track. It’ll select the correct gear for each bend while still braking, leaving you to focus on the cornering and accelerating away from the corner.
Other highlights include sports seats with heating and ventilation, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.3-inch touchscreen media display and a suite of driver assistance systems. It’s also the first Hyundai N car to feature a head-up display.
5. Hyundai i10 N Line
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The Hyundai i10 N Line isn’t a real hot hatchback, but it’s worthy of a mention. It’s the only i10 to feature Hyundai’s 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which gives the little city car a decent turn of pace.
N Line is a trim level designed for people who want the styling of a full-fat N car without the ferocious performance. Highlights include a distinctive front grille, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, twin exhaust pipes, and an optional two-tone roof.
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