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Kia Cerato vs Hyundai I30

What's the difference?

VS
Kia Cerato
Kia Cerato

$20,990 - $39,999

2022 price

Hyundai I30
Hyundai I30

$24,000 - $54,000

2024 price

Summary

2022 Kia Cerato
2024 Hyundai I30
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.6L

Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

-
Fuel Efficiency
6.9L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Harsh ride quality
  • Unrefined, noisy cabin
  • Ageing interior design

  • Divisive styling
  • Rear-seat access
  • Slightly firmer ride than ideal
2022 Kia Cerato Summary

Three years after the fourth-generation Cerato small car rolled into Australian dealerships, Kia launched a mid-life facelift for the sedan and hatch range in mid-2021.

It ushered in styling tweaks including new headlights and Kia’s new logo, as well as more safety tech and a multimedia upgrade.

At the top of the range sits the warmed-up Cerato GT. It’s not quite Hyundai i30 N-level performance, more i30 N-Line. In other words, more than enough performance to keep most people satisfied and enough poke to get away quickly at the lights.

But is the updated version of Kia’s Cerato trying to be something it’s not, or is it a performance bargain?

Read on to find out.

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2024 Hyundai I30 Summary

Is it possible for a ‘hot hatch’ to be over-the-top and completely under-the-radar?

When it’s the facelifted version of the radically-styled i30 Sedan N, then definitely. People just don’t associate pocket-rocket fun with the traditionally more-conservative four-door shape.

But the Hyundai, well, just look at it. It begs... nay, demands to differ.

Just facelifted in Australia along with the rest of the i30 Sedan range, the N sells alongside the iconic i30 Hatch N from Europe, and acts as a replacement for the sadly-discontinued i30 Fastback N.

Big shoes to fill then? Let’s stick the boot in and find out!

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Deep dive comparison

2022 Kia Cerato 2024 Hyundai I30

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