The Hyundai i30N is the most popular Hyundai hot hatchback which means that it combines all the benefits you’d expect from a hatchback with a raspy engine and a well-tuned sports suspension and chassis. The i30 N was first introduced in 2016 as part of the 3rd generation i30. Ever since then, the i30 N has been really popular.
When it comes to reliability, the Hyundai i30 N manages to be as reliable as its base model, the i30. This is an incredibly good result as the i30 in general, is really reliable. Be that as it may, no car is perfect and we are now going to list all the common problems with Hyundai 30N. We will tell you what you need to focus on if you are interested in buying the i30N through the second-hand market.
First of all, the i30N suffers from various electrical issues which are fairly common with many Hyundai models. Other issues include problems with various active safety systems, issues with the fuel pump, and potential issues with the build quality and interior rattles and squeaks.
All in all, the i30N is a tremendously reliable car if taken care of properly. Even though the i30N is a hot hatchback, it still manages to be fairly affordable to run. As such, buying used i30 N models shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you know what you are looking for.
Hyundai i30N – Electrical issues
To kick off this list, we first need to mention various electrical issues that tend to plague the i30N. The infotainment system is known to glitch out or go completely blank. This can be resolved by restarting the car, but sometimes you will have to either update the system or reset it completely. The A/C can also break, more specifically the A/C condenser.
Also be sure to pay close attention to all interior accessories, buttons, and switches as these can fail on older i30 N models. The battery and the alternator don’t experience issues often, but when they do, such issues are usually serious. Therefore, be sure to inspect these as well.
Hyundai i30N – Active safety systems issues
Modern-day Hyundai models all come with state-of-the-art active safety systems which are designed to keep you safe at all times. Some of these systems are better than others. The active lane-keeping assist system can’t be turned off completely in some markets which is a bummer, especially if the system starts causing issues.
A few owners complained that the i30N pulls to one side or the other which can be stressful on a long motorway haul. Other safety system issues are associated with overly sensitive parking sensors which can engage even when there aren’t any physical objects nearby.
Hyundai i30N – Fuel pump issues
It seems like many owners have reported the i30N sometimes suffers from fuel pump issues. If you notice any whining noises, spluttering under acceleration, issues starting the engine, or the car stalling on startup, there is a great deal of chance that your fuel pump is to blame. These fuel pumps are expendable which means that you are likely going to have to replace them at some point.
Furthermore, the fuel filter is also known to get clogged. The best thing to do at this point is to test your fuel pump pressure from both sides of the pump. You can also hear the fuel pump whenever you turn on the ignition. If you do hear the pump working, chances are that your fuel pump is performing as it should be and that the issue is due to something else.
Hyundai i30N – Build quality issues and interior trim rattles and squeaks
We already said that the i30N is a really reliable car, but this does not mean that it oozes quality in the interior. The i30 N costs around $43,000 which is a lot of money for an i30, but not too much money for a hot hatchback. Either way, for $43,000, you’d expect the car to come with higher quality materials on the inside.
Older i30 N models are even worse because these tend to suffer from various rattles and squeaks just a few years after purchase. The problem is even exacerbated by the fact that these can’t be fixed easily as you are never 100% sure what is causing the issue.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a Hyundai i30N?
If you are someone who likes driving a hatchback, but you deem them to be extremely boring, the i30 N might just be the perfect car for you. With a raspy 4-cylinder engine, an exciting engine sound, and great handling, the i30N is way sharper than a regular hatchback which is why so many people love the i30N.
On the other hand, if you are used to driving larger cars, the i30N is going to feel a bit too cramped for you. It also isn’t the most luxurious car, especially for the price. In order to make a sound purchasing decision, you need to decide what you value more, a premium badge, comfort, and luxury, or speed, excitement, and handling.
How long can a Hyundai i30N last?
It is extremely difficult to properly gauge how long any car can last because there are many factors that go into that. Given the fact that the i30N is a really reliable car, there is no reason to think that one of these shouldn’t be able to last at least 200k miles. However, we also need to take into account that the i30N is a performance car.
This means that these cars tend to be driven a lot more aggressive as opposed to regular i30 models. More aggressive driving requires more frequent servicing which means that it can severely impact the longevity of any car, especially a performance car.
Is the Hyundai i30N a family car?
The Hyundai i30N can be used as a family car, but that certainly isn’t the primary role of this car. Seating space is relatively limited, especially for a car that costs this much money. If you have a younger family and you like performance cars, the i30N can be enough.
However, if you have a larger family, you ought to skip the i30N as it is not as comfortable as many other cars in this price range.
