Is There A New Hot Hatch Champion? (Cupra Leon VZx vs Hyundai i30 N 2023 comparison)
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- Опубликовано: 21 авг 2022
- We pit the Hyundai i30 N against the Cupra Leon VZx to see whether our favourite hot hatch has been dethroned.
The Hyundai i30 N is available in sedan and hatchback (and formally as a Fastback, as seen here). It uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine making 206kW (276 hp) and 392Nm of torque.
Incoming is the new Cupra Leon VZx, which uses a Golf platform and 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine with 221kW (296 hp) and 400Nm of torque.
Both cars are available with a wet-clutch dual-clutch automatic but only the i30 N can be ordered with a six-speed manual transmission.
The Hyundai i30 N Premium hatchback costs $54,700 (before on-road costs, or about $58,500 driveaway), while the Cupra Leon VZx costs $65,990 driveaway - about $7500 more than the i30.
As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest comparison of the Hyundai i30 and Cupra Leon.
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I own a DCT Fastback and it's one of the best cars I've driven. The steering is perfect, I love being able to easily switch between drive modes on the fly, and of course the crackle & pops complete the package
why didnt you buy a mitsubishi colt instead?
Can we just take a minute to acknowledge Tom's moustache. It's a brave move and whether it stays or goes, let's mark this achievement.
it has to go!
if you think that's brave you must be beta af
Should probably point out that the tested Cupra is fitted with $2450 leather and sound package, $3600 brembo package, $1800 sunroof option and what looks like one of the matt paint finishes ($2300 option). Which brings it to $75,140 drive away. The i30N Premium DCT is currently listed as $58,510 drive away... so the tested Cupra is around 30% more expensive and in the same territory as the Golf R pricewise.
Doesn't have the leather and sound package as it's standard on the VZX and most wouldn't need the Brembos the standard brakes are good enough. So take that out of the equation and it's below golf GTI money.
Yes but the point I'm making is that the tested model is $73,190 on road (just checked the Cupra website) which I think should have been stressed a bit more during the review. Especially for example when commenting that the Cupra's brakes are better even though they're an very expensive option. The added options make it $14,680 more expensive than the I30N Premium (with sunroof) whereas the review states a few times its only about $10K more. The Golf R is listed as $72,389 driveaway so it is a direct competitor to this optioned up Cupra which could have been mentioned during the review considering he references the Golf GTI a few times.
@@CaptainSlow888 you bet mate..
The cupra is 100x times better than hyungay
@@fachadolid3030y esa foto de perfil
Great review! It seems Cupra has done a great job at dialling in some engagement into the cars while still being refined.
That is the vibe.
@@chasingcars that's why put a deposit down on Formentor VZX, seems a great package. Is there a review on the Formentor VZX incoming?
Cupra is nice but the I30 seems to be the no brainer. As Tom said the I30 is better quality and its $10k cheaper!
Really depends on spec
Leon VZ 180kW sits between an N and an N Premium with the same power/weight ratio
If you want the VZx 221kw yeah, it’s $7500 more than a Premium, so not cheap.
You can even choose Brembo brakes option in the León if you whant to track the car, not for daily use. Quite common in EU, it is the cheap option of sportive hatchbacks to have funn, But for me the most interesting is the Formentor VZ 5. Some one tuned and has more than 400hp, and it is amazing how fast it is. From factory is ok, but if you whan to track it ... that option makes it quite fast. Very nice vehicles, they have the touch of seat, and perhaps seat Sport in Spain? Some previous models of seat were tuned by Seat sport and they were quite good.
Great video, love the mo,lol
Pwah! After 7 Months of waiting for a Focus ST-X, it got canned, sad, as it was a very good, unique package, and actually preferred the torque converter with the characteristic and less slip off the mark at low speeds and honestly, I think I would have preferred it over a VZx (that I've ordered), just to avoid the VAG group and there lovely 'reliability'. Ironically I did the same comparison between an i30 and Leon and the i30 is just too 'always on', and plasticky.
There isnt really much wrong with the touch controls in the Cupra, as the 'drive mode' button cycles you through all the drive modes, not just straight to Cupra mode, and your front demister has a button on the light panel, volume is from the steering wheel. Although even with a 5 year warranty I'm hoping that they've fixed the water pump issues with the EA888, as my 7.5 Golf was back at the dealer quite a bit :(
I do think as a new brand, the Cupra brand seems to be a bit more appealing as its something unique and a little different... fingers crossed they do well.... Another month of waiting now, at least its on a boat.
Also, from what ive heard, new orders on a i30 N Auto is 12 months, whereas theres a whole bunch of Leons on Boats now, if anyone is interested - So youre not going to be waiting a year.
I believe the water pump housing issue has been fixed with later gen EA888.
Good points.
Tom, great informative review. The Cupra looks so very nice - pricey yes, but so worth it.
Hello from Mexico… you are right… the Leon is a Great hot Hatch… love it
Two awesome cars that we don't get in Korea. :( Love them both!!
You don’t get the i30n in Korea?
@@morganrutnum Sadly, no.
@@morganrutnum We used to get the previous gen i30 when it was made in Korea. But they don't allow the import of Korean cars from other manufacturing facilities now. So, we also don't get the wildly popular Telluride in Korea either. :(
@@johnholst interesting. Korea is leader in Free trade so not allowing EU-made goods esp one branded by a local company really seems like a poor decision (in an otherwise great country). I find it sad given it’s the general hero car elsewhere in the world and I presume hot hatchbacks generally sell well in Korea so sales volumes would be good if it were sold? Does that mean you also don’t get the KonaN, which I believe is made in Czechia?
The telluride choice makes sense however as a majority of us-market oriented cars aren’t sold internationally (esp. Europe) given sizing constraints. The only Korean exeption in Australia is the palisade which kind of sits in a class of its own here. A similar story occurs with American made large SUV’s for Japanese brands however and those aren’t exported to Australia or anywhere else outside of North America really
@@morganrutnum Please don't misunderstand me. Euro brands are certainly allowed in to Korea and they sell very well. However, Korean branded cars produced outside of Korea are not to be imported here. The reason is that labor unions here are downright militant. It was part of the cba.
As for the Kona N, we do get that because for our market and North America, they are produced in Ulsan, Korea.
And personally, I love hot hatches! But they do not sell well in Korea. We have few available in this market.
I bought a Skoda 3 years ago.
The Cupra is a genuine competitor, if not a reigning champ. Time will tell.
We’ll find out. Hot hatches are honestly quite niche in Australia now, so Formentor will likely outsell Leon by a big margin, but for enthusiasts this is a good thing
Competitor? Man, it's the same car! 😂
@@Madest_Max No it’s not- the Formentor had a completely different platform to the Leon and Golf.
Be interesting to even put the Formentor against the I30n Tom. I'd rather have that than an I30n, more versatile and probably still faster as well, let alone ski field access ability and more room etc..... Hyundai slightly sharper but that would be it.
Can you do a comparison for hyundai i30 sedan n line premium vs subaru wrx vs skoda octavia sedan
Great review, Tom. I must say I love the i30n Fastback. Nearly bought one but, after years of driving turbo AWD Subarus, that awful axle tramp killed it for me. Test drove a nearly new GR Yaris and bought it on the spot. No comparison, unless you need the space of course.
That Yaris is as Ugly as a Hat full of Arseholes.
Easy engine mount fixes that. Sedan doesn't have any either
The Cupra 300 and I30n hatch in my country(cyprus) are exactly the same price. Should I go for the cupra? I really love zooming but 80% of my driving is in traffic.
Go for the hybrid version if your range is similar that in the Leon in electric mode, you will spend little and have the extra of the petrol engine. Thy one before buy, There is a video in this channel and the car is still funn to drive.
Is it Cooprah Layon or leeon? Either way the Cupra is my choice as an i30 N is great but I want something without the budget interior and love the Spanish VW style exterior - my 05 Mini Cooper S had a blue interior and it made the car such a nice place to be in which almost made up for its other issues :)
Cooprah Layon I think officially, but Leon is fine I’m sure
So you’re not an enthusiast driver.
SEAT Leon Cupra Mk3 was louder in some versions (with exhaust valves etc.) but they toned it down for this Mk4 Cupra.
Shame they don't offer the cupra with a manual box. Definitely a more liveable car but no less capable
Wow, you're one of the very few people who pronounce it properly.. It's Hyun-DAY, which is correct (also, it's only 2 syllables and not the 3 syllables that they use in the UK). Well done and it's a small but important detail.
Nice comparison. Didn’t consider (or know anything about) the Cupra and its heritage when I bought my i30N DCT Premium. The Cupras I saw didn’t give me the sense of a hot hatch - rather an upmarket Proton with unusual colour schemes and badge. My choice was right for me but the Cupra has some chops!
Find the extra change. Thats a huge amount of change!!!....The i30N is just such great value...
I prefer my Ateca to a T-Roc R but honestly I prefer a Golf R to the Leon.. we are getting to Golf R prices, power deficit is minimum vs. AWD added weight of R (235KW). Leon does look nice and IS a great car but I prefer AWD with that much power, especially for future tuning headroom, and the Golf R just feels a bit more special IMO.
And it’s manual
I went into a Ford dealership, wanting to buy a Focus ST, I was told Ford are not taking any orders on the Focus or Fiesta. The Cupra looks like the Focus so 👌
One door closes, another opens
One door closes, another opens
Cupra looks nothing like the outgoing Focus ST. And drives nothing like the outgoing Focus ST! And looked better to boot!
Have you back-to-back tested the Cupra and Focus ST, Mac? Not aware of anybody who has done so in this country.
so if the cupra is cheaper than the i30 n for service where are they going to be service for a start, and how good will the warranty be. i will stay with Hyundai
With nearly 300 HP front wheel drive, you don't need a manual.
Aren't these around $20k apart?
No. The i30 N Premium DCT hatch is $58.5K driveaway and the Leon VZx is $66K driveaway.
It also appears that Cupra is sponsoring a really competitive finance rate, so if you’re not dropping cash, the Leon may cost less week to week. Seriously considering one of these…
@@chasingcars your review says i30N $52.495 and $72.690 for the Cupra as tested price. You can't compare cars in this segment which are 20k apart.
I would love to pay more for the i30N if the interior would be more luxury but it its what it is and I really like it. In my opinion the Leon is never ever worth 20k more in your AS TESTET VERSION than an i30N. It's exactly the same with the Golf's... spec out an Golf 8R and you are eeeeeasy over 72.000€. You can buy the upcoming new BMW M2 competition with 75.000€. And you can't compare a Golf 8R with an M2 competition. The VAG company is way to greedy these days...
Oh baby. Hatchy backy. ;)
After 2 years of battling with the Seat infotaiment and it's many flaws I'm switching cars.
Audi RS3 does not have a EA888. Cmon brah that 5 pot engine one of the most iconic things the VAG group has ever built. Although you probably meant the S3. Good content as usual though, love the matt black paint that's where it ends. Any MQB platform vag performance car will not be ok till proper tactile buttons make their comeback which should be this year or early next year perhaps it's on its way either way! 👌
Although you can get the 5 pot engine in the Cupra in Europe
How is this a fair comparison given there's a $20k difference ??
Nice review Tom. It would be interesting to see how they stack up against Subaru WRX and Honda civic Type R.
This review is quite critical of the i30N.
No lie, the 130N wins out for the _SOLE_ fact that it comes in a manual.
What's the point of owning a fun car to drive if you don't get to enjoy the shift changes!
It's a 300 HP sports car. You can't get the most of it in a manual transmission. Nothing Beats the VW DSG. Try it for yourself.
I30N sedan is the Elantra N in USA we get neither in UK
Great review Tom. So the Leon beats the i30 which itself beats a Golf GTI . It would be interesting to see it go head to head with the Golf R or like offerings from BMW or Mercedes.
I30 N all the way cause pass on the VW product, regardless of how cool or fast
70k for a hatchback..what a bargain...🤔🤔
Welcome to 2022, and these are sophisticated performance cars…not cheap bangers.
im baffled how you did NOT compare the sounds in all modes. im heart broken
Leon the best
Hey Tom, I watch a lot of your Videos and the sound is just very monotone.
Sorry to hear that!
Cupra looks great, but it would be an easy decision to go with the Hyundai i30N for me. Looks and sounds great, amazing handling with a great warranty.
I’m not sure which is more disturbing - the blue interior on the Cupra or Toms moustache?! 😂😂
The moustache ha ha.....
I'll take either of them, until the warranty runs out that is.
Cupra design is cool, yes I am a juvenile 56yo. Touchscreens: Great on phones, cars not so much.
Aussies wont be happy with the blue interior. Black or Grey everything.
I30 n ravlsff
Get an i30 Sedan N, latest interior, lighter than the i30N hatch, manual, track warranty, active everything, sedan versatility; end of story
Analogue gauges for the win on the i30 N
Handsome cluster.
Tom, this is a great review. These two are hardly comparable though as the Leon has more power, more torque, is lighter, uses far less petrol, 3 year free servicing, premium interior. I really think the basic 140 kw V Leon will be the Best Buy when it arrives early 2023.
Comparing base ICE engines, how much more expensive is the Leon? How about for similar mid-level trims? What about total warranty? Which sounds better? (The crackle and pops have to go to the Hyundai N). Does the Leon have a front diff? (Genuinely curious as I'm not sure). Sure, you think Leon, but I think the majority might believe the Hyundai is the better overall value..
@@alexandergoldman Just look at the video again and you have to agree with Tom that the Cupra overall is the better car.
@@davidperry3531 No question it's a competitive package. One thing that I'd like to do is to track the car occasionally and for me, you have to admit the Hyundai is the better fit. Also, SEAT is a new brand and their reliability is generally worse, to possibly much worse than Hyundai/Kia/Genesis group. There's a reason why they have to offer the generous warranty as a new startup brand... You can roll the dice..
@@alexandergoldman The new SEAT has been around for about 40 years after VW took them over.
@@davidperry3531 yes... that's the double whammy. VW...the two letters that are nit exactly synonymous with reliability
You rule in doctor who
I30N💪
The N30 is such a good option but compared to the new Cupra it fails to impress as much. I definitely won't be missing the boring + ugly looking and badly equipped ford focus but I am glad Cupra decided to come to the land down under to take its place.
Why VW not offering manual ....why give me one good reason ...
A very small amount of Australians buy manual hot hatches these days. Same reason VW dropped the manual on the MK8 Golf R as DSG sales on the MK7 R outnumbered the manual something like 7-to-1. Very sad reality.
Tom looks like a 1940s White guy in the review !
Good luck with another VW product. Will be a miracle if it lasts 2 years.
service your cars
@@chasingcars oh I didn't know that most of the VW owners didn't service their cars? Is that why they break down every 6 months here and there?
Underrated comment
I think you’ll find plenty who have a fine experience, and the odd owner from many brands who encounter unusual problems. Plenty of mates, family and myself have owned VAG product with utterly unremarkable reliability - so your comment is difficult to accept as some universal experience
@@chasingcars 🤗🤗🤗
the Leon VZx is way too overpriced, especially considering it gets destroyed by the Golf R in performance.
I wish there are more reviews of the Leon VZ which much more sensible.
Some points.
1. Golf R is like $5K more driveway. Arguably still good value in 2022
2. BUT - you can’t get a Golf R! Massive waits and big markups
3. Classic hot hatch dynamic remains FWD simplicity
It’s not as simple as just get a Golf R
@@chasingcars i dunno, still its worth it to stretch to a Golf R for $5k with AWD. but paying $15k more for a Leon with more power you cant really use... a bit dubious
Leon VZX is a better looking Golf GTI club sport for Golf GTI money. Once you add the options to the Golf GTI to match the Leon VZX it is $68k.
I don’t care if the Cupra is cheaper to run, would you really trust anything from the VW Group........by the way “Cupra” is just a reuse of the name that was used by SEAT, another VW Subsidiary,
Would we trust *anything* from the Volkswagen Group? Sure, we would trust some things (like…warranty provisions being underpinned by statute in Australia, like our own assessment of vehicle dynamics from independent testing). If you’re alluding to dieselgate or emissions or something, I don’t really know how to help other than saying we’ve litigated the issue big time in this country already and Volkswagen lost
You say car brand names funny. It's 'Coo-prah', 'Hee-ahn-day'. I get they're said differently overseas. Is this a posh Sydney thing?
Coop-rah and Hee-un-day are correct.
@@chasingcars a lot of reviewers and regular people say Hyundai in three syllables (not just in Australia). but Koreans pronounce it with two. it's pronounced hyun-dae. Korean spelling: 현 대 (two syllables).
Id rather the i30 N as the Volwagonish Haptic switchgear and interface would drive me made. I just want something that 'works' I30N is an icon . The Cupra is not
Great knobs. But remember, the i30 N wasn’t always an icon…it’s only existed for 4 years! It’s an icon now, sure.
@@chasingcars And still managed to kick the Golf back to Wolfsburg. I can remember a guy in a decently high leading position at VW saying a couple years ago: "Of all our Asian competitors, Hyundai is going to give us the biggest headache." Seems to apply definitely.
The i30n sedan is better than both of them.
Get Hyundai I30 N....it's way better..be smart mate!
First u wrong compare Leon need vs i30 n or Elantra n put to right compare and sec u wrong Leon cupra is much better of that golf vs all stability flat sound and no need proof of i30n beat already golf or any golf best handle best stability flat and research Elantra n beat golf r check RUclips find your self top of list hatchback is or killer gt real quick is Elantra n sec i30n and cupra and if u no get the point why cupra always be best of that golf u need research check video q3rs vs cupra formentor VZ 5 and cupra beat Audi or any VW SUV same size level like did cupra formentor VZ 4 better that rs3 very fast the better stability and cupra use haldex gen check cupra never spin any road rain or snow top.
Tom - you're definitely taking some sort of new drug.......A 65k Hatchback made in Spain, is the new hot hatch champion in Australia (Chasing Cars)?
I'm old enough, and experienced enough, to remember when the Seat Ibiza Cupra 2.0 16v appeared on our shores. And a small number of aussie motoring journos heralded it as Australia's new hot hatch, rating it higher than the hot hatch king of the time the 205 GTI, and the VW GTI of the time....It was way off the Pug and VW GTI's hot hatch level..The car flopped, no one bought them in AU.
So..my prediction for this new "Seat" 'Spanish" Cupra Leon, will be exactly the same. Historically Australians don't buy cars made in Spain. A 65k hatchback made in Spain you say Tom? And a rather cheap and nasty one at that.....
And your main reason for crowning it as the best hot hatch rated by Chasing Cars right now...Is purely because of the demise of hot hatches sold here?
Now this car might be half decent...but just like Alfa's, they just won't sell here. Cupra will disappear from our shores as fast as they arrived.
No, the main reason it’s the best non-luxury non-AWD hot hatch right now is that it beat the i30 N in this comparison, the i30 previously beat Golf GTI 8, and the Ford and Renault alternatives have been discontinued
“Australians don’t buy cars from Spain” (conjecture) and being pissed off about inflation and supply crunches affecting car prices (applies to both cars here) do not have influence over the principles of vehicle assessment.
@@chasingcars If I am proven wrong, And Cupra sell all the cars they have shipped to AU, and you see plenty of them about, than I will be wrong. I am sticking with my opinion. and its just that, a very experienced opinion nonetheless. A Manual Honda Civic Type R will sell here..this won't.
Well that’s a boring and unsubstantiated opinion. What is the difference between a car made in Spain or Korea or BMW and Audi from factories in Mexico? Or Teslas from China; or Mercedes and BMW from South Africa or BMW and Mercedes SUVs from North America? Get with the global programme and accept that the Cupra is a world class modern hot hatch and I’m glad that they are sold in Australia.
@@davidperry3531 Right back at you with that comment mate. "Well that’s a boring and unsubstantiated opinion. What is the difference between a car made in Spain or Korea or BMW and Audi from factories in Mexico?" Is EXACTLY the same comments I heard when Renault were trying to release the Renault 5 Turbo on our shores (we had the world most crapo fuel at the time), and when a handful of Seat Ibiza Cupra 2.0 16v landed on our beaches. BOTH were touted by aussie motoring jornos at that time as "world class modern hot hatches". And BOTH didn't end well in Australia. Get with the global reality mate. Spots on the Leopard never change. There is HUGE BIG DIFFERENCE.
@@Mexxx65 Right back at you too...you are talking of the motoring industry as it was 45 years ago!
Although the manufacture and import/export of cars has changed dramatically in that time it appears you haven't.
Cupra. Everyday.
Free servicing.... @13,000 ks lmao who the fuck leaves a premium forced induction engine 13000 ks between services. I wouldn't leave a bones stock boring af Honda civic or Toyota corolla even 10,000. Whatever the manufacturer says to service it, take that amount of time and half it and your car might last out of warranty 😂
72g for a small hatch
Tell em he's dreaming
Typical Hyundai shiny on top cheap underneath. Still a budget manufacturer in my eyes.
The millions that buy them around the world tend to disagree
Cupra looks like crap 😂
No one will buy the Leon.
No one? Strikes as unlikely.
@@chasingcars I'm sure some will be sold. A few. Depends how well they will be backed up with servicing in Australia. Even then, Aussies only ever looked at the old Seat brand because they were cheaper than VW's.
Given I was an infant when Seat was last sold in Australia, I think it’s fair to say the brand has probably progressed in more ways than one in >25 years!
@@Mexxx65 pretty sure anyone looking at a performance hatch don't care or remember that it WAS a part of SEAT...
@@chasingcars I certainly hope so. But I do not have high hopes.
Comparing apples and oranges... hyundai is cheap plastic while cupra is leather and premium
End of the day you'd only buy the N because let's face it, you're poor 🫠