Hyundai i30 v Hyundai Kona 2024 Comparison

The 2024 Hyundai i30 is priced at $26,000 before on-road costs and the 2024 Hyundai Kona at $32,000 plus ORCs.

The third-generation i30 first went on sale in Australia in 2017, but the base 2.0-litre version of the i30 Hatch is in final run-out and will not be replaced when the range is updated later this year.

The entry-level Kona – also featuring a 2.0-litre front-wheel drive layout – only arrived as part of the fundamentally evolved second-generation compact SUV range in 2023.

Considering their position at the bottom of the model range, the 2024 Hyundai i30 and 2024 Hyundai Kona are not dripping with heaps of gear. But being newer and more expensive, it’s also no surprise the SUV definitely has a few more bits and bobs.

Externally, that includes 18-inch (versus 16-inch) alloy wheels, roof rails and smart key access.

Inside, it comes with push-button rather than key start and dual-zone climate control rather than single-zone air-conditioning (you know, with blue and red markings around the dial).

While neither vehicle has power fore-aft or height seat adjustment, the Kona does offer power lumbar adjustment of the driver’s seat and a reclining function for the rear-seat backrest.

It’s not all one-way advantage to the Kona though. The i30 has a full-size spare tyre on an alloy wheel and the Kona gets only a space-saver. Sounds the wrong way round.

Both cars get leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, along with cloth seat trim.

Hyundai offers a five-year/unlimited-km warranty, a minimum 12 months of roadside assist (more if you service your car at a Hyundai dealer) and 12-month/15,000km service intervals.

Pre-paid capped price servicing for the i30 works out at $1005 over three visits to the workshop, $1404 over four visits and $1759 over five. The equivalent numbers for the Kona are $1197, $1696 and $1995.

In something of a surprise the 2024 Hyundai Kona has a four-star ANCAP safety rating based on the latest 2023 protocols.

The 2024 Hyundai i30 gets a five-star rating based on 2017 testing. So neither car is knocking the ANCAP ball out of the park.

While both cars come withhave autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, the Kona adds rear blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic warning and collision avoidance.

It’s also alone in having the Bluelink connected-car app that, among other things, includes auto collision notification and SOS call.

The Kona also adds stop-and-go to its cruise control system for heavy traffic, while its AEB system looks out for powered two-wheelers as well as pedestrians and cyclists (as the i30 also does).

Other exclusive Kona gear includes intelligent speed monitoring, rear occupant warning and safe exit alert.

Both cars have front, front-side and side curtain airbags. But while the i30 has a driver’s knee bag, the Kona has a front-centre bag.

The Kona and i30 both have a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, but only the SUV also has front sensors as well. It also has better resolution and more angles on offer from its camera.

Both cars have three child seat top-tethers and two ISOFIX points. They also both have LED headlights, although only the Kona has high-beam assist. Tyre pressure monitoring is included in both.

Once again, the relative age of the 2024 Hyundai i30 and 2024 Hyundai Kona have an impact on the level of technology found in their cabins.

While the i30 has the traditional separate instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen, the i30 simply spreads the whole lot behind one clear panel across the dashboard, including a 12.3-inch touch-screen.

Drill into the detail and both cars include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, Bluetooth streaming and AM/FM radio bands.

Only the Kona has digital radio, wireless smartphone charging and the kitschy ‘sounds of nature’ elevator muzak. Neither has embedded sat-nav, so it’s all down to your smartphones.

Both have six-speaker audio systems and multiple USB connectors. The Kona has newer USB-C points, while the i30 offers USB-As.

You’re going to be surprised to read this, but despite the march of time the 2024 Hyundai i30 has better engine performance numbers than the 2024 Hyundai Kona.

Its 16-valve double overhead camshaft naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 120kW of power at 6200rpm and 203Nm of torque at 4700rpm.

The Kona engine makes 110kW at 6200rpm and 180Nm at 4500rpm.

Further down the drivetrain and you’ll find the i30 engages the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, while the Kona employs a CVT.

The Hyundai Kona fights back here with a better 6.6L/100km fuel consumption claim versus the 7.4L/100km officially credited to the Hyundai i30.

It makes sense because the Kona’s engine is tuned to what’s called an Atkinson Cycle, which is specific combustion timing designed to aid thriftiness. The CVT is also helpful for economy.

Theory proved accurate in our real-world testing. Over a highly varied (country, freeway, urban, congested) 175km loop the Kona hit its claimed average bang on, while the i30 undercut its average at 7.0L/100km.

Both cars run on the cheapest 91 RON fuel, while fuel tank capacities are almost identical at 50 litres for the i30 and 47 litres for the Kona.

So far this comparo has mostly made sense. The 2024 Hyundai i30 is older, cheaper and not as well equipped. The 2024 Hyundai Kona is more expensive, a newer design and better equipped.

But the driving kinda turns that on its head. From behind the steering wheel the i30 is the better experience.

It starts with the powertrain. The i30’s is stronger and responds better to the throttle.

That’s not only because it has higher outputs but also because the overall kerb weight of the i30 is lighter (1276kg v 1335kg).

The six-speed auto also does a more civilised and refined job of managing that power than the CVT, which spends a lot of time eliciting high revs from what feels likes a bit of a slow-poke engine.

The i30’s transmission can be operated manually via the lever and it does so snappily. There are eight programmed steps selectable manually in the Kona’s CVT and they change proficiently without being as convincing.

Both cars get multiple drive modes, but they have little impact on fundamental driving behaviour of the powertrains. They do subtly change the colours of the instrument panel lighting though.

Both combine MacPherson strut front suspension with a simple torsion beam at the rear and electric assist power steering. So much of a muchness? Nope.

Before its local launch the i30 was subject to a comprehensive local suspension and steering tuning program. The new Kona gets a global tune as Hyundai Australia now only localises N models.

That’s a pity because the i30 shows how good the Kona could be. It steers with more granular feel, rides with more compliance (especially in the rear) and less bump-thump, handles more surely with less body roll, has less intrusive traction and stability control and overall feels more athletic.

Superior tuning for local roads allied with lighter weight and a lower centre of gravity and driving position simply make the i30 nicer to steer. Its more generous tyre sidewall helps ride comfort too.

The Kona has a higher and better seating position for city traffic and has bigger side and rear windows to see out of. Its finger-tip light steering also makes it easy to twirl through car parks and the like. Change to sport mode and a rubbery resistance appears.

Bottom line? The Kona is generally anonymous – if entirely acceptable –while the i30 is genuinely enjoyable.

But even if the Kona was as good to drive as the i30 it would get marked down for its annoying driver monitoring and overspeed alerts, which have to be switched off every time the car is started – unless you enjoy being constantly bonged and chimed at. C’mon Hyundai – one switch on the dash that permanently disables this stuff PLEASE!

Plaudits to both cars for excellent adaptive cruise control and lane centring/keeping systems. They were both happy to trundle along the freeway with minimal interference, staying in their lane, maintaining a designated speed and adjusting pace to the vehicle in front.

Normal transmission resumes once the interiors of the 2024 Hyundai i30 and 2024 Hyundai Kona are considered.

The Kona simply liberates more passenger space and has more storage solutions for their stuff than the i30. It does that despite being only 10mm longer in overall length and wheelbase.

Those Kona storage options include a flexible maze-like centre console, a removable bin under the flip-up centre console armrest and a ledge above the glovebox. However, the Kona can’t match the i30’s bigger segmented door pockets front and rear, and only the i30 has an overhead sunglass holder.

The Kona has a marginally larger boot than the i30 at 407 litres versus 395 litres. It is also easier to access with no loading lip to clear and there are storage compartments to stop small items rolling around.

Split-fold the rear seats and Hyundai claims the i30 actually has slightly more boot space (1301 litres versus 1241 litres), but the Kona is wider and easier to load awkward items like bicycles into.

The i30 has its own positives. Places where you rest your elbows and hands such as the door armrests and door tops have some softness to them, while the Kona is almost universally bone-hard.

With its big screens, faux-metal plastic trim inserts and a steering wheel with three spokes and an oval boss, the Kona presents as the funkier and more modern. But it’s the humdrum grey i30 cabin that won’t bruise your elbows.

Hyundai also tries to make up for the lack of i30 rear-seat leg space with plenty of features including adjustable air-con vents, seat-back string nets, large door bins and a fold-down armrest with cup holders. The Kona adds to that lot with dual rear USB-C outlets.

Up-front the simple hard-button controls and lack of distracting nanny-state bulldust makes i30 driving life less complex and therefore more pleasant.

But the wireless connection of the smartphone mirroring is finicky and slow at times. There was also the occasional drop-out during our time in it.

The Kona’s mirroring system worked better, if not always perfectly. There are lots of drill-down menus in its infotainment systems, but most of it is set and forget once you’ve chosen your preferences. The big screen makes sat-nav very maps easy to read.

Both cars come with reach and rake adjustable steering, a left footrest and aforementioned seat height adjustment, so most driver sizes should be able to get the right driving position. In both cases front seats are comfortable and supportive without being luxurious.

The entry-level Kona is the only model in the range with a traditional T-bar auto rather than a gearchange wand on the steering column. Fine with me.

So what have we proved with this comparison of the 2024 Hyundai i30 and 2024 Hyundai Kona base models?

Certainly, the huge buyer gravitation from small cars to compact SUVs can’t be justified on the basis of driving experience. The i30 was rightly hailed as one of the best-behaved small cars on the road when it launched and its class still shines out. There’s clearly a lot to be said for a comprehensive and well-executed local suspension tuning program.

The i30 is also the cheaper car and it’s not completely lacking in equipment.

But there is one clearly superior choice here for family buyers and that’s the Kona. It has more interior space and a higher level of safety and comfort equipment and technology.

So as a car to drive the i30 wins. As a functional and useful device, the Kona gets the nod. But don’t forget the last stock of 2.0-litre i30s will soon disappear from Hyundai showrooms and that means this is a choice that soon won’t exist. Pity.

2024 Hyundai i30 at a glance:
Price: $26,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 120kW/203Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 173g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

2023 Hyundai Kona at a glance:
Price: $32,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/180Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 149g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Four-star (ANCAP 2023)