Volkswagen Golf vs Hyundai i30: Which hatchback is best?

Family hatchbacks are something of a dying breed in this age of SUVs, but they are still worthy of your attention.

The Golf is a classic, renowned for its comfort, practicality and reliability, while the i30 presents a more budget-friendly yet equally capable alternative. In this comparison, we’ll examine the key features of both cars to help you determine which model best suits your needs.

Volkswagen Golf vs Hyundai i30 – Value for Money

The Volkswagen Golf starts from just under £28,000, although a nicely-specced version with the desirable 1.5-litre petrol engine and an automatic gearbox will set you back around £30,000. Buy a Golf through Carwow and you can save an average of £2,750 at the time of writing.

By comparison, the Hyundai i30 starts from £24,500 – a significant saving over the Golf. However prices do climb to £27,500 by the time you’ve got the mid-spec trim with some additional standard equipment.

The Golf does come with more kit as standard, with features like adaptive cruise control and a digital driver’s display coming on all models.

Volkswagen Golf vs Hyundai i30 – Interior and Comfort

The Volkswagen Golf has a well-made interior with high-quality materials and a sleek design. The infotainment screen dominates the dashboard with 8.0- or 10.0-inch displays on offer supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Golf is very comfortable for long journeys, offering spacious seating and a generous 380-litre boot – impressive for a compact car.

The Hyundai i30 also features a well-designed interior, though its materials are slightly less premium than those in the Golf. Its infotainment system includes an 8-inch display, also supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin is practical and spacious, making it ideal for daily use. The i30 offers a slightly larger boot capacity at 395 litres, which is useful for families or those needing extra luggage space. The seats are comfortable, though generally less plush than in the Golf.

Volkswagen Golf vs Hyundai i30 – Driving and comfort

The Golf is simply a very pleasant car to drive. It won’t set your pulse racing, unless you go for the sporty GTI or R versions, it’s just very comfortable, quiet and refined. It’s also easy to drive in town thanks to the light steering and great visibility.

The i30 is also good to drive, but it’s not quite as well-rounded as the Golf. You get a bit more wind and road noise, and the Volkswagen is better over bumps as well. Both of these cars are good to drive, but the Volkswagen Golf is just that bit better.

Volkswagen Golf vs Hyundai i30 – Safety and Driver Assistance

The Golf comes with a comprehensive range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking. It has consistently performed well in crash tests, currently holding a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

The Hyundai i30 also offers many safety features, such as lane-keeping assist and emergency braking. It also has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, although the Golf scores higher for its safety assistance systems.

Conclusion

The Hyundai i30 is a great-value hatchback with loads of standard equipment and a big boot, but it’s been around a while now and is starting to show its age. The interior isn’t quite as nicely made as the Golf’s, and it’s not quite as comfortable either.

The Hyundai is still a great buy, but the Volkswagen Golf is just a better all-rounder. It has a lovely interior, it’s really comfortable to drive and it has a better range of engines. It’s for these reasons that the Golf wins this test.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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