2017 Hyundai I30 vs 2019

What's the difference?

Hyundai claims its Ulsan car production plant is the world’s largest. Located 300km south east of South Korea’s capital, Seoul, this monstrous automotive sausage machine spits out a new set of wheels every 10 seconds. Yes, one car every 10 seconds. You can't even make Big Macs that fast.

I first visited the main Ulsan factory in 1988, and a contemporary OH&S rep would have collapsed in shock. Even then, it felt close to medieval; hot, loud, dirty, and frightening. The Excels flying off the end of the line were unsurprisingly ordinary.

But a second visit, in 1995, was a revelation. The clinically clean shop floor was full of quietly efficient robots, producing cars that were already giving the established players something to think about in terms of design and build quality.

Then a third tour (oh yes, I know how to have fun at work), in 2012, revealed a showcase of modern manufacturing technology. Hyundai’s long-held ambition to be the world’s largest and most successful carmaker was clearly in the process of being realised.

Which brings us to the recently released third generation i30, Australian examples of which are built in Ulsan. The new model is already fighting toe-to-toe with the Toyota Corollas, Mazda3s and VW Golfs of this world, setting a course for global domination in the process.

The i30 Premium sits at the top of a five-model range. Does it have what it takes to knock over the big guns, or will Hyundai’s New World Order have to wait?

This is the Hyundai i30 N like you've never seen it - because this is the new Fastback version.

It takes everything we knew about the i30 N and reshells it in a bigger, more sedan-like package. As the name suggests, it's more 'fast-back...y' than the regular hatch... And according to the brand, also a bit more premium and mature.

Hyundai calls it a five-door coupe, which is similar to what the luxury brands label their models with similar body styles. That's not a coincidence - the company told us the Merc CLA and Audi S3 were what it looked at when figuring where this model should be targeted.

And if you're wondering, the official name for this hatchback that isn't a hatchback? It's the i30 Fastback N, not the i30 N Fastback. Weird.

The name is one thing, but the look? Well... let's check it out.