Hyundai i30N Performance - long-term review

“Cars developed for the Nürburgring don’t work on the road.” Words probably all too familiar, but they’re nonsense. This month I’ve driven the i30N, whose N stands for Nürburgring, back-to-back with the Toyota Yaris GRMN, whose N stands for… well, the same. In short, these are the two most boisterous hot hatches currently on sale. Yes, they ride firmly, but they still soak up the worst of our roads more than well enough.

Their best facet, though, is that they’re huge fun to drive. While honed on the circuit they’re named after, neither was developed to set a lap record there. Thus their limits are genuinely approachable, and they’re able to thrill whether you’re negotiating Mini Karussell or a mini roundabout. Myth busted.