You might be familiar with the I30 N hot hatchback that took on Volkswagen’s Golf GTI, but this new Fastback model adds some style to the mix. Same 271bhp, but now with a more grown-up look.

Twenty years ago people would have scoffed at the notion of a performance Hyundai, what did the makers of the Atoz know about going quickly after all? This stigma was shattered in 2017 with the launch of the I30 N hot hatchback, and while it was Hyundai’s first crack of the performance car whip, it certainly ruffled the feathers of the Golf GTI.

This new I30 Fastback N is cut from the same cloth as its hatchback sibling, but now features a more sophisticated silhouette. More interestingly, being removed from the hot hatch segment, this Hyundai effectively operates in a class of one. How many‘hot fastbacks’ do you know of?

Exterior

The first thing anyone familiar with the I30 N hatch will notice is the new sloping roofline that elegantly drifts down towards a prominent flick on the boot lid. This revised silhouette certainly gives this model a more grown-up demeanour, and finished in the optional Shadow Grey of our test car, promotes a more civilised approach to performance than its boisterous sibling. That said, it hasn’t forgotten its hot hatch roots.

You’ll still find a pair of sizeable dual exhaust pipes protruding from the sculpted rear bumper, large air intakes dominate the front facia, all while a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels fill the arches – the hatch only had 18-inch rims. Contrasting red details garnish the car in a way that enthusiasts will notice, but subtle enough that the uninitiated will think nothing of.

Generally speaking, the architecture is the same as the regular I30 Fastback on which this model is based. That’s not a bad thing as the raked headlights and hexagonal grille make for a pleasingly premium look.

Interior

Jump inside the I30 Fastback N to find a pretty ergonomic cabin. It’s pleasing to see that the 8-inch infotainment system hasn’t absorbed all of the switchgear, allowing for easy operation of things like the air-conditioning when on the move. Everything falls to hand easily, and the customisable digital display in the instrument binnacle is a good companion for the pair of analogue dials.

Material quality is good in the sense that nothing feels like its going to fall off in your hand or last only six months, but the cabin is certainly this car’s Achilles heel. There are a few too many hard plastics on show for a car commanding a £30k+ price tag. Sure, there’s a sense of durability to surfaces, but some soft-touch materials would transform the perceived quality of this space.

Redemption is to be found in the form of two excellent leather and Alcantara sports seats. These highly adjustable posts are plenty supportive, especially thanks to reassuringly bolstered side and shoulder elements. Their red stitching also adds a dash of colour to the interior.

The rear bench seats three, and while the tradition of the middle passenger drawing the short straw continues, a lack of notable transmission hump makes things more comfortable. Outer passengers enjoy good legroom, however, that handsome roofline does cut into passenger space. If you’re any taller than 5’ 10” your head will be touching the roof.

There’s more boot space in the I30 Fastback N than its hatchback counterpart at 450-litres. A nice wide boot aperture makes loading bulky cargo easy, however that raked rear profile does eat into the hight of items you can haul. For most situations – including storing a pair of folding bikes – the space on offer is ample.

Technology and equipment

The Hyundai I30 Fastback N comes in one trim level with no options available. This makes life simple with potential Fastback owners only needing to choose from six colours before signing on the dotted line.

Equipment levels are generous with luxuries such as electrically adjustable heated seats, cruise control, dual zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, reversing camera, as well as an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming at no cost. To get the same equipment levels on something like a Golf GTI would cost a substantial sum in optional toys.

The infotainment is responsive and easy to use. Physical shortcut buttons line the screen for quick access to key menus, and the software is quite visual to enable instinctive inputs. Some parts of the interface look a little dated by 2020’s standards, and many manufacturers are now offering larger screen options, but this Hyundai system is certainly passable.

On the road

The Fastback is a little like a wolf in sheep’s clothing because under that stylish bodywork are the same nuts and bolts that go into the i30 N performance. There’s no watered-down variant of the Fastback N, and so that means there’s a familiar turbocharged 2.0 litre engine under the bonnet. The front wheels are supplied with 271bhp and 260lb ft of torque, numbers kept in check via an electronic limited slip differential. It’ll crack 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and accelerate on to a top speed of 155mph – not just a pretty face then.

From the moment you hit the starter button you’re in for a treat. The exhaust pipes burbles into lifebefore settling down to a low rumble. This orchestral event will no doubt put a smile on your face every time, but the neighbours less so.

On the move this Hyundai immediately sets out its stall as a serious performance proposition. With every prod of the throttle you can feel how eager its four cylinder engine is, the steering is weighty and accurate, and that gravelly exhaust note is ever-present. Even at a sedate pace you can tell that engineers have worked hard to reduce body roll and give the driver confidence in the machine.

The car’s mood is dictated by a series of modes selected via a pair of large steering wheel buttons. ‘Drive Mode’ cycles between a trio of predetermined settings, starting in Eco and ending with Sport. Eco dulls the throttle and does what it can to preserve the fuel you have in the tank. Normal gives you back some repulsiveness and keeps the suspension in its softer setting. Sport turns things up with the tightening of suspension, additional weighting to the steering, sharp throttle, a more aggressive setting for the E-LSD, and a an outrageous exhaust note.

The second button is simply marked with a chequered flag and engages N Mode – this is where the magic happens. With everything set to maximum attack, the Fastback N goes from a capable fast car to being amongst the best C-segment hot hatch/hot fastbacks out there!

Acceleration is strong with that turbocharge torque being delivered after just a whisker of turbo lag. It pulls hard through the midrange while emitting a relentlessly building roar. Grab a gear from the delightfully mechanical manual gearbox – no auto option here – to unleash the next wave of torque accompanied by a crack from the exhaust. Lifting off the throttle for a rev-matched downshift sparks gunfire-esque pops and bangs that clearly draws parallels with Hyundai’s WRC team.

An easy to modulate brake pedal allows for precise control, and good communication from the chassis lets the driver know where the weight is shifting in the car. The steering setup is amongst the best for this type of vehicle, being precise and involving. Impressive resistance to roll through fast bends combined with that E-LSD working to suck the nose towards the apex enables you to truly exploit the performance on offer. Barrel into a corner with reckless abandon and you’ll be met with understeer, however, this is easily and predictably trimmed with the throttle.

Our battered UK roads sometimes have a habit of upsetting the car thanks to its firm ride in Sport and N Mode. However, the final N Custom mode allows you to geek-out with thousands of customisable combinations for performance setting. Softening the suspension, but retaining the go-faster elements, makes for the ideal setup when planning a British B-road blast. In fact, in its softest setting the suspension is well damped and certainly makes this Fastback easy to live with everyday.

Verdict

Considering its equipment and outright performance, the Hyundai I30 Fastback N represents good value for money at £30,310. It has the credentials to mix it with the very best hot hatchbacks, but also a unique fastback profile that gives it an added element of style and desirability.

Its interior does let it down a little, but then it’s clear to see that Hyundai engineers spent their budget on chassis development as opposed to plush cabin materials – something real driving enthusiasts will relish. It’s easy to live with, but also enormous fun thanks in part to that rather naughty exhaust system.

N Custom Mode will have performance nuts foaming at the mouth, and it also gives this car a real Jekyll and Hyde ability to be more cosseting when not attacking a ribbon of Tarmac. As an allrounder the N does very well for itself.

It looks like the makers of the Atoz are now having the last laugh at the expense of some well-respected competition.

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