Hyundai i20 vs. Hyundai i30: which is better?
Hyundai has an impressive collection of cars in its range, and in this guide, we compare the i20 and i30 models. Which of them is the best?
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If you’re after a small hatchback that’s both stylish and affordable, then you’ve come to the right place.
Hyundai now makes some of the highest-quality but budget-friendly models you can buy, but if you’re not sure whether a used Hyundai i30 vs. used Hyundai i20 is the right size for you, then you’ll be having a hard time picking.
We’ve put together a comparison of some of the main differences, plus some similarities, to help you inch closer to a decision.
Hyundai i30 vs. Hyundai i20: which has more style?
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The Hyundai i20 and i30 models are both clearly related and use a similar design language that makes them look elegant and understated.
Given their attractive price point, we think they look very good.
The i20 is positioned as a smaller car with a fairly youthful and sporty look. It’s a great option for first-time drivers after something stylish.
Its sporty profile comes from a combination of sleek lines and a sloping roofline.
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The front end features Hyundai’s typical grille setup and sharp headlights, but on a smaller scale than the brand’s larger models.
Not only is the Hyundai i30 a step up in size, but also in price. It’s designed to appeal to a different type of driver, so has a slightly more mature-looking and refined finish.
Still, it balances this with a good degree of sportiness, so style-conscious families will love how it looks.
What is it like to drive a Hyundai i30 vs. i20?
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Because it’s been designed with towns and cities in mind, the i20 is more nimble and agile. Its direct steering makes it easy to dart in and out of traffic calming measures.
Still, the steering is light enough that parking manoeuvres and three-point turns are easy.
The suspension prioritises comfort and does a good job of reducing the impact of potholes and imperfections in the road.
Hyundai and Kia are part of the same company, and Hyundai is considered to be the maker of more comfortable cars, while Kia’s models are meant to look and feel sporty.
Most versions were sold with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol, which we think offers a really enjoyable drive,p. It’s punchy, fairly quick, and economical.
The i30 generally feels more stable on the road, which is helped by the fact that it has a longer wheelbase.
This stability helps to make it very comfortable for long-distance motorway trips.
You’ll find the same 1.0-litre petrols on offer, as well as some larger ones and the occasional diesel, though the car industry is slowly turning away from diesel power.
Newer examples of both come with mild hybrid tech which promises to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.
Both the i20 and the i30 are available with a slick, smooth-shifting DCT automatic gearbox, too, which is great.
Sometimes, smaller cars have less advanced gearboxes, so the fact that the i20 benefits from the DCT adds to its premium feel.
There are also performance N models. The i20 N’s 1.6-litre engine produces 204hp, and the i30 N’s 2.0-litre engine kicks out 280hp.
They’re very fast, but they’re considered to be slightly separate vehicles which attract different buyers.
What is the technology in the Hyundai i20 and i30?
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Despite being a smaller, budget-friendly car, the i20 still has all the latest car tech you should need, including a touchscreen infotainment system capable of handling Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It also has good levels of safety kit, such as some driver assistance features and forward collision warning.
The i30 is just as impressive but turns the dial up a notch. For example, the touchscreen is larger, and it gets more sophisticated safety and convenience kit like adaptive cruise control.
It’s always worth checking each listing because Hyundai has updated both models several times to keep them looking and feeling fresh.
As a rule of thumb, newer i20 and i30 models come as standard with a large digital instrument cluster and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera.
Affordable mid- and high-spec models add luxuries like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, and keyless entry.
The difference between equipment levels on newer models is less stark, which really elevates the i20 and makes both of them feel very premium.
Hyundai i20 vs. i30 dimensions and boot space
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The Hyundai i30 is 4,340mm long, which is average for this class of family hatchback. It’s 1,795mm wide (excluding mirrors) and 1,455mm tall.
You’ll also find used estate models, which are longer (4,585mm) and taller (1,465mm) but the same width.
Fastback versions, which are less common but still available, sit somewhere between the hatchback and estate in terms of dimensions, though they’re a few centimetres shorter.
The 395-litre boot in the i30 hatchback is slightly above average for this class of car. Fastback and estate models have even larger boots (450 and 602 litres, respectively).
The i20 is noticeably smaller, both visually and by its actual dimensions. It’s 4,065mm long, 1,775mm wide and 1,450mm tall.
It has an impressive 352-litre boot, which is about average, but substantially bigger than the Ford Fiesta’s.
i20 vs. i30: which is more reliable?
Hyundai has a reputation for building reliable, dependable and high-quality cars.
The i20 has a slightly simpler design that makes it easy to maintain, but the i30 is just as cost-effective in the long run.
Both are backed by Hyundai’s five-year warranty, which doesn’t impose mileage restrictions. It’s more coverage than you’d get from the average manufacturer, and the unrestricted mileage is very appealing.
Used Hyundai i30 vs used Hyundai i20: which should I buy?
Both the Hyundai i20 and the Hyundai i30 are very stylish, well-built and highly-equipped cars.
You’ll be pleased with either of them, especially if you go for a high-spec model packed with kit you’d usually expect to see in bigger, more expensive cars.
The decision comes down to how much space you need – both are practical, but the i30 is better for families than the i20.