Hot Hyundai hatch is very good but . . .

Hyundai is expanding its range of N models, and for that we should all be grateful. The i30 N is a beast of a hot hatch, the Kona N is a superb option for those who want to terrify their kids on the school run, and now there’s the i20 N, the impractical-by-design supermini.

OUTSIDE

This is the only i20 we get in New Zealand this time around, which means those after a baby Hyundai hatch are only allowed this one.

It’s a five-door, which means people can get into the rear seats fairly easily, and the doors have an awesome stylistic crease just below the windows. The car sits on fat 19-inch wheels which look brilliant pushed right out to the corners of the car.

INSIDE

The i20 N gets racey seats up the front which are comfy and wellbolstered, and they drop down into the car quite far, which makes for a good driving position.

Behind the wheel is a digital dash, which I suspect is part of the reason why this car is priced the way it is. It’s a lovely screen, clear with a nice layout, and it has a cool flame animation when you turn the car on, because this is a slightly childish car, and, because I am also slightly childish, I love it. A centre touchscreen offers control over the car, allowing you to set up the Custom drive mode with switchable engine characteristics, rev-matching, steering, exhaust sound and how much the stability control interferes.

There’s a manual handbrake and an H-pattern shifter, which is a big reason as to why this car is so good.

UNDER THE BONNET

The 150kW/275Nm power figure comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, sent straight to the front wheels through a new mechanical limited slip front differential and a six-speed manual. It shouts louder than it probably should – which, of course, is a good thing, it sounds like a baby WRC car at full noise – and it goes like hell too.

The engine gets something called Virtual Turbospeed Control which uses computer wizardry to control the turbocharger’s wastegate pressure on the fly, ultimately reducing lag.

Fuel use isn’t too bad at a claimed 7.7L/100km, able to be largely met if you drive normally (best of luck, I couldn’t).

HYUNDAI i20 N

Base price: $53,990 (Estimated Clean Car Programme fee/rebate: neutral).

Powertrain and economy: 1.6-litre turbo-petrol inline four, 150kW/275Nm, 6-speed manual, FWD, combined economy 7.7L/100km, CO2 175g/km (source: RightCar)

Vital statistics: 4075mm long, 1775mm wide, 1440mm high, 2580mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 310 litres, 18-inch alloy wheels.

Safety: Not tested.

We like: Brilliant fun to drive, nice and loud, not awful on fuel for the performance offered.

We don’t like: Expensive for what it is.

ON THE ROAD

Often cars with power figures below 200kW are overlooked in favour of their gruntier siblings, but these are usually the ones that are the most fun, especially the hatches because of their tiny footprint.

Just look at the Ford Fiesta ST or the VW Polo GTI.

The i20 N is right up there with the both of them in terms of fun – it’s a riot through the corners, that front differential earning its keep shuffling power to either wheel. The engine produces enough power, considering the car weighs about 1200kg, and the rev-matching tech is absolutely brilliant, allowing you to hammer down the gears with perfect precision.

You can disable it too, if you’d prefer to heel-and-toe.

The chassis is lovely and neutral, and the fixed suspension is tuned just enough to prevent excessive rolling but also not break your spine on every bump. The brakes are fantastic.

While the i20’s tiny shape is superb around the back roads, it’s a bit too small for the daily driving stuff if there’s more than two of you in the car. There are back seats and they do allow people with legs to use them but the boot is pretty minimal.

There’s also no adaptive cruise control, which can be done with a manual transmission because the Suzuki Swift Sport has it. And, again, for the price you’d really want all the bells and whistles.

VERDICT

By this point you can probably figure out what I’m going to say. The i20 N is a proper firecracker of a car, worthy of any shortlist for ‘‘cars for fun and not functionality’’. It’s just that price. Hyundai had it up for $53,990 originally, but the website currently has it down to $49,990. Even that is a steep ask considering the i30 N hatchback with a manual is $58,990.

Hyundai’s mighty mouse, the i20 N, is here.