Abarth 595 vs Hyundai I30
What's the difference?

Abarth 595

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2018 price

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Hyundai I30

$23,888 - $62,724

2025 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Abarth 595

2025 Hyundai I30

By Tim Robson

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

5.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Impressive features list
Value for money
Drive incredibly well

Dislikes

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

Dual-clutch transmission gets confused in stop/start traffic
Shorter servicing intervals
Some safety tech is intrusive

2018 Abarth 595 Summary

Since 1949, Abarth has been giving the venerable Italian brand, Fiat, a patina of performance, based largely on giant-killing feats in small modified cars like the Fiat 600 of the 1960s.

More recently, the brand has been revived to boost the fortunes of the smallest Fiat on sale in Australia. Known formally as the Abarth 595, the tiny hatch packs a bit of a surprise under its distinctive snout.

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2025 Hyundai I30 Summary

The Hyundai i30 sees an update for the 2025 model line and the base N Line variant gets the best of the new stuff, including a new mild-hybrid powertrain.

This might mean trouble for its nearest rivals, the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Kia Cerato, because the update makes the N Line one of the better base-model hatches to come out in recent years for its segment.

In this review, we see how it also handles urban life!

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Abarth 595 2025 Hyundai I30

Verdict

It’s tough to be kind to the Abarth 595. Based on a platform that’s more than a decade old, the car has been left behind by its rivals in many ways, including basic ergonomics and its value equation.

The larger engine does work well in this smaller package, and its road-holding ability belies its size. However, only die-hard fans of the Abarth brand will be able to cope with the uncomfortable seating position and a complete lack of even the most perfunctory features that cars costing $10,000 less are able to offer.

Verdict

The updated Hyundai i30 N Line doesn’t look like or perform like a base model.

You really do get bang for your buck here with its features. It’s a good-looking hatch that’s fun to drive in the city or open road and while the multimedia system is basic and occupants will be squished in the rear row, everything else is a big plus.

Abarth 595 vs Hyundai I30 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Abarth 595 vs Hyundai I30
What's the difference?