Cars similar to Hyundai i30 [ Detailed Answer ]

Table of Contents show

The Hyundai i30 was first revealed back in 2007 as a mid-size family hatchback and was later renamed into Hyundai Elantra. The i30 shares most of its parts with the Kia Ceed which is the most similar car to the i30 you can get. In this article, we are going to focus on cars similar to Hyundai i30 which means that we are going to list them and tell you everything you need to know about them.

Besides the Kia Ceed, the Hyundai i30 is also really similar to the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus as all of these live in the same segment. The Volkswagen Golf is one of the most popular and longest-running family hatchbacks of all time which means that no family hatchback comparison would be complete without a Golf.

The Ford Focus is very much the same as it also is at the very top of its segment when it comes to sales and overall popularity. To finish off this list, we are going to mention the Toyota Corolla which is one of the most popular and best-sold cars in general, not just in the family hatchback segment.

As such, we can easily conclude that these family hatchbacks are incredibly popular, but they do differ in many areas. Therefore, we are going to present them all, and tell you how they compare to the i30 and which one is the best.

Hyundai i30

The Hyundai i30 costs from £21,260 to £26,410 depending on the model, the engine, and the trim level you go for. The new i30 is mostly known for its smart and modern looks which are a huge upgrade over the previous generation of the i30. The interior of the i30 is also spacious and filled with various gadgets that are going to keep you nice and comfortable on your journeys.

Common problems with Hyundai Equus

You can choose between a few different engines such as the 1.0L and the 1.5L gasoline engine with 120hp or 160hp. If you are feeling a bit more excited, you can even go for a top-spec Hyundai i30 N which offers a 2.0L 4-cylinder with 280hp. The i30 is a nice car, but it has little to set it apart from others and make it a bit more special.

Kia Ceed

The Kia Ceed costs between £22,545 – £25,745 which makes it pretty much on par with the i30. The engines with the Kia Ceed are the same as in the i30 except for the range-topping 2.0L engine found in the i30 N. The Ceed gets a large trunk, and more standard equipment than the Hyundai, but it lacks rear headroom, the interior is a bit bland, and also isn’t anything special.

If you close your eyes behind the wheel (which you should never do), you’d soon realize that the i30 and the Ceed are pretty much the same cars. Therefore, most people are going to choose one over the other depending on badge loyalty.

Volkswagen Golf

If you are a badge-conscious buyer, you are likely going to prefer the £25,610 – £35,620 VW Golf. The new Mk8 generation of the Golf had a mixed reception when it first came out as many people pointed out that the new Golf feels slightly cheaper and way more complicated than the Mk7.5. Be that as it may, the VW Golf 8 is the most technologically advanced car here with endless gadgetry and technology.

You can buy the VW Golf with a whole load of engines choices which include diesel, gasoline, and hybrid powertrains, the most powerful one is the 320hp 2.0L gasoline engine in the Golf R. The VW Golf rides a bit more subtle than the i30 as it feels slightly more cushioned, but it might be a bit too complicated to use for some.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Kia EV6

Ford Focus

If you prefer something US-badged, the Ford Focus is the best US-made car in this segment, and it costs £27,060 – £32,660. Engine-wise, the Focus comes strong with 85hp, 100hp, and a 120hp 1.0L 3-cylinder engine while diesel engines are more economical, yet a lot noisier. The top-spec 2.3L EcoBoost Focus ST offers 280hp and is the most fun-to-drive car here.

If you go for one of the smaller 1.0L engines, you will soon realize that the Focus is the cheapest car to run here and that it is great fun to drive, no matter the trim level. The interior might feel a bit on the cheap side in some places and the Ford Sync infotainment system simply can’t match the one in the VW Golf.

Toyota Corolla

To finish off our list, we are also going to mention the £29,610 – £35,505 Toyota Corolla. The two best engines the Corolla offers are the 1.8L 4-cylinder with 122hp and the 2.0L 4-cylinder 184hp engine. All Corolla engines are hybrid which is a big plus for some. Interior quality is up there with the best cars from this segment while the driving experience is also enjoyable.

The automatic gearbox does feel a bit more agricultural compared to other cars here and the rear space is the worst. Finally, we also need to talk about the price which is higher in almost all trim levels.

FAQ Section

Is the Hyundai i30 the best car in its segment?

The Hyundai i30 is a great car, but it lives in a segment filled with great choices. The Ford Focus ST is the most fun to drive while the Golf R is the fastest. The Corolla offers the best hybrid engines while the Kia Ceed is one of the cheapest cars here. All in all, the i30 is as good as most of its competitors, but choosing the best car in this segment is impossible.

Hyundai i30 vs Ford Focus - Which is better?

Is the Hyundai i30 a luxury car?

No, the Hyundai i30 is not a luxury hatchback. True luxury family hatchbacks are cars like the Audi A3, the Mercedes A-Class, and the BMW 1-Series. Besides these three, you really can’t find anything else that is on the same level.

Is the Hyundai i30 a good family car?

With a 5-star safety rating, lots of family features, economical engines, a quiet ride, and a soft suspension, the i30 is a really good family car. However, if you have a big family and you need lots of space, you ought to upgrade to something a bit bigger.