That is the 2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan N Line Premium – and it’s fairly putting, isn’t it?

To most readers, the time period ‘i30 Sedan’ could also be a bit of overseas. Isn’t the i30 speculated to be a hatchback? In Australia, and most different markets, the i30 is certainly offered as a hatchback however Down Below, it has additionally been offered as a sedan for the reason that second half of final yr. Don’t let the title idiot you, nevertheless; the i30 Sedan is strictly the identical because the Elantra you’re most likely extra aware of – a reputation that was utilized in Australia for the earlier technology however has since been dropped.

A daring design

So, what precisely does the Hyundai i30 Sedan provide? Nicely, aside from being a really compelling automobile (extra on that later), it adopts the South Korean automaker’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language and is far more characterful than its predecessor.

It’s exhausting to not gasp if you first lay eyes on the i30 Sedan. It has a imply and purposeful design extra much like the Tucson and Sonata than the i30 hatchback. Discovered on the entrance is a big, angular grille completed in black and complemented by giant air intakes and a black splitter in N Line configuration.

Shades of the present Tucson are particularly evident alongside the perimeters with equally sharp creases and physique traces that draw your eyes towards the modern rear finish that sports activities LED lights, a distinguished gentle bar, and in N-Line configuration, a black diffuser and black lip spoiler. A set of 18-inch wheels additionally catch the attention.

Strong underpinnings

Discovered beneath the pores and skin of the 2021 i30 N Sedan is the automaker’s K3 platform that’s lighter, safer, and stronger than its predecessor. The automobile has grown by 2.2 inches (55 mm) over the outdated automobile and is 1 inch (25 mm) wider. It additionally has a wheelbase of 107.1 inches (2,720 mm), 0.8 inches (20 mm) longer than the 2020 mannequin. The general top of the sedan has been dropped by 0.8 inches (20 mm) and now sits at 56.5 inches (1,435 mm). These modifications imply the i30 Sedan is longer, wider, and decrease than the 2020 Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda3.

Logic would dictate that because the automobile’s footprint is far bigger than the i30 hatch with its 104.3-inch (2,650 mm wheelbase), it must also weigh extra. Nevertheless, that’s not the case because the i30 N Line Sedan ideas the scales at 3,053 lbs (1,385 kg), roughly 110 lbs (50 kg) lower than a equally geared up i30 N Line hatch.

The instance we examined was the N Line Premium which sits on the prime of the native vary till the full-blooded i30 N Sedan touches down subsequent yr. The N Line Premium, in addition to the marginally much less well-equipped N Line, comes completely with a 1.6-liter turbocharged Smartstream four-cylinder engine that delivers 201 hp (150 kW) and 195 lb-ft (265 Nm) of torque.

Numerous completely different Hyundai and Kia fashions use this similar primary engine, together with the i30 N Line hatch. Crucially, it has been up to date to be used within the Sedan and has a special bore and stroke whereas additionally that includes an up to date turbocharger. Working alongside this engine is a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission driving the entrance wheels.

No unusual i30 inside

As talked about, Australia’s i30 Sedan solely actually shares its title with the hatchback and that is instantly apparent if you first step inside. There may be completely nothing about it that reminds you of the hatch. That’s a very good factor because the hatch’s cabin is beginning to really feel outdated, significantly in comparison with newer rivals just like the Mazda3.

Fitted as normal on the N Line Premium is a digital instrument cluster and a ten.25-inch touchscreen, each shrouded with thick piano black bezels. Not like the hatch, each the infotainment display and all of the essential media and HVAC controls are angled in the direction of the motive force. A distinguished deal with on the passenger facet of the transmission tunnel serves to neatly break up the entrance row into distinct sections for the motive force and passenger, giving a cockpit-like really feel to the driving place.

Learn Additionally: Hyundai Unveils America’s 2022 Elantra N With Up To 286 HP And A Handbook Gearbox

Our check automobile was additionally geared up with gentle and supple black leather-based seats with crimson distinction stitching and featured a configurable ambient lighting system, in addition to a heated steering wheel, heated seats, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Qi wi-fi smartphone charging. It’s a good place to spend time in and soft-touch surfaces add to the premium really feel of the cabin. A sunroof can be normal on N Line Premium fashions.

The drive

After first taking a seat within the i30 Sedan N Line Premium, we have been instantly impressed with the match and end however dissatisfied that the supportive seat didn’t decrease fairly as a lot as we might have needed. As soon as we began driving, that subject pale into insignificance.

Hyundai’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder acts as a fantastic center floor between the entry-level, naturally aspirated mill the automobile is obtainable with and the two.0-liter turbo mill already getting used within the Elantra N offered in different markets. On no account does the engine make the i30 Sedan N Line really feel like a efficiency automobile but it surely does provide up good acceleration and can be greater than enough for many patrons. Additionally it is fairly gasoline environment friendly as we averaged a contact over 7.0 l/100 km (33 U.S. mpg) whereas testing the automobile.

This engine has a grand whole of 4 hp (3 kW) greater than the engine of the Hyundai Kona N Line Premium that we drove just a few months in the past. Unsurprisingly, you can not really feel that further grunt and in a straight line, the i30 Sedan N Line is simply as nippy as its crossover sibling.

The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox acts as the proper confederate to this engine. Whereas some dual-clutch transmissions may be considerably hesitant at low speeds, Hyundai has managed to engineer-out most of those points. We discovered it greatest to maintain the transmission in its automated mode for the smoothest driving expertise. Should you do wish to have some enjoyable, there are some good paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. It is a huge plus because the Kona N Line lacks paddle shifters for some purpose.

Hyundai Australia has given the i30 Sedan its personal suspension tune to go well with native roads and it ends in a snug but sporty experience in most driving eventualities. All through our week with the automobile, we lined a mixture of freeway roads, metropolis streets, and nation lanes and located it to be higher suited to the latter two, quite than lengthy freeway jaunts.

For all intents and functions, the Hyundai i30 Sedan is a really comfy automobile to cowl lengthy miles in alongside motorways. Nevertheless, the Goodyear Eagle F1 tires produce various street noise as soon as the speedometer ticks over 100 km/h (62 mph) and it may well shortly turn into tiresome (pun meant). The wing mirrors additionally appeared to contribute to the wind noise.

When pushed in a sportier method, the tire and suspension mixture does work effectively. Steering response and turn-in are each correct and exact and it’s simple to put the automobile completely round a nook, significantly at average to excessive speeds. Grip is nice and the rear finish can turn into fairly playful if you’re driving in both the Sport or Sport+ mode.

Don’t hand over on sedans simply but

For us, the spotlight of the 2021 i30 Sedan/Elantra is the inside, arms down. It’s a comfy and premium place to be, whatever the measurement of occupants. Actually, at 6’2, I had greater than sufficient headroom and legroom within the again seat, so carrying 4 adults is not any subject. Entrance legroom sits at 42.3 inches (1,074 mm) whereas rear legroom is a powerful 38 inches (965 mm), 2.3 inches (58 mm) greater than the outdated Elantra and 0.6 inches (15 mm) greater than the all-new Eleventh-generation Honda Civic. Entrance headroom sits at 38.7 inches (982 mm) with the sunroof (40.6 inches/1,031 mm with out) whereas rear headroom is 37.3 inches (947 mm), 0.2 inches (5 mm) greater than the Civic. The trunk of the i30 Sedan additionally swallows up 474 liters (16.7 cubic-feet), greater than sufficiently big to suit a few giant suitcases and/or duffle baggage that homeowners might have.

Australian pricing for the 2021 i30 Sedan begins at AU$28,253 (US$21,161) for the Lively, AU$34,157 (US$25,583) for the N Line, AU$34,700 (US$25,990) for the Elite, and AU$41,830 (US$31,330) for the N Line Premium that we examined. Pricing for the i30 Sedan N hasn’t been introduced but it surely ought to prime AU$50,000 (US$37,450). In america, the Elantra vary kicks off with the SE from US$19,850 and rises to $21,100 for the SEL, $24,250 for the N Line, and $25,600 for the Restricted. The Elantra N ought to begin at round $30,000.

In a world the place crossovers and SUVs are beginning to dominate the roads, it could be simple to dismiss the i30 Sedan as merely being a part of a dying breed. Nevertheless, it provides nearly all the similar practicality as a comparable Kona, has a far nicer inside, and to my eyes, additionally appears higher. It’s additionally AU$5,205 (US$3,898) cheaper. I do know which one I’d want to personal.

Picture credit: Brad Anderson/CarScoops