Audi A3 v Hyundai Elantra v Kia Cerato 2016 Comparison

Audi A3 v Hyundai Elantra v Kia Cerato
Blind Test

The level of style once seen only in European-made vehicles is closely mimicked by many non-euro carmakers these days. Aesthetically, the gap is closing, but what about ride and handling? Does a European price-tag guarantee a better ride? Or has the localised suspension tune of Korean competitors closed the gap? To find out, we take away the badges and ask regular drivers to pick a winner.

In an attempt to discover if a Euro actually does deliver a superior ride, we’re pitching the new Hyundai Elantra and Kia’s recently revised Cerato against Audi’s A3.

But we’re doing it without the fancy badges. In fact, this test will be conducted blind – we’re taping over the badges and identifying labels so our ‘judges’ can’t be influenced by brand.

Proportionally and in terms of size, the three cars assembled are similarly, and when it comes to equipment, closely specified. In other words, to the person in the street, potential rivals.

Both Kia and Hyundai have invested heavily in tuning their vehicles’ suspension and steering systems for local conditions – tailoring the ride to Australian roads. We’re keen to see if the difference made here counts to everyday drivers.

Each of our judges will have a chance to sample each of the cars on similar roads, and for the same period of time. During testing, the cars will only be known as A, B and C.

The drive route chosen showcased some of Melbourne’s finest (read: worst) roads, featuring speed humps, bitumen repairs, potholes, tram lines and level crossings, and bluestone laneways.

Our judges are both male and female, and range in age from 30 to 77. On test they were asked to assess the vehicles as if they were shopping them against one other; and here is what they said.

Our critics were unanimous in describing Car A’s steering as “heavier” than the others, with two of the judges also criticising the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) properties of the car; one even describing it as a “noisy little sucker”.

While styling was not a key focus, both of our female drivers described the ambience of Car A’s cabin in near identical terms.

“I feel like I’m in my Nan’s car”, said one.

The other: “I feel like a bit of a granny in it”.

Stuart, 77, said he felt that car A was a bit of a mixed bag.

“It rides better than the other two, but it feels less substantial. This feels like a cheap car by comparison,” he said.

Stuart also felt that Car A’s transmission also behaved differently.

“When you floor it, it wound itself up, rather than grabbing another gear.”

Josh, 30, commended Car A for its steering and ease of driving.

“It gives the driver confidence, more cars should be like this,” he enthused.

But it wasn’t perfect, “It’s not what you’d call a rough ride, but it feels a little bit firm”.

He also praised the car for its balance and communication.

“The pedals feel good… and the brakes respond well,” he added.

Over the cobblestones and speed humps, Karen, 57, said “It feels a bit spongy, and the handling is a little bit loose”

But she adds that, “It seems reasonably zippy – a town car”.

Car B
Consensus was that Car B felt very different from the others. Our judges thought the car felt smaller, a point they said impacted the model’s visibility, too.

For Karen, however, smaller was better. Car B’s size made it more manageable, the ride also impressing.

“I feel safer in this one,” she said. “I think it rides over the bumps better.”

She did not, however, like the feel of the “catchy” brake pedal, and found the performance lacking.

“It’s not as quick to accelerate, and it’s not as zippy as Car A,” she added.

Car B was also criticised for its firm ride, which was noted as “too firm” by at least two of our judges. “It’s got the feel of a racing car suspension. It does go, and it goes quickly” said Stuart.

“Through the hills, though, this would be terrific” he added.

“A bit rougher all over… A bumpier ride,” said Amber, 40.

According to Stuart, that firm feel pushed Car B into sportier territory, but like Josh felt the steering lacked feel.

“It’s like a PlayStation,” said Josh.

“The steering lacks feel and there are crazy amounts of lag on take-off; you’ve really got to flog it to make it move.”

Car C
Our panel felt Car C was very different in character from the other two on test. Noted were differences in proportion, transmission response, steering feel and performance.

“It feels like a large car with tiny wheels,” explained Josh.

“It doesn’t feel sturdy or grounded; it feels top heavy and, as such, when manoeuvring, you don’t feel as grounded. By no means as comfy as Car B,” he continued.

The transmission also came under fire.

“It felt a little uncertain of itself – a little jumpy,” said Josh.

Our judges also said that road and general cabin noise was more obvious in Car C, while Amber felt the steering lacked communication.

“It seems to require more effort,” she said of the steering.

“It’s like I have to concentrate a bit…”

Karen noted a firmness of suspension from Car C, also identifying denser seat cushioning over rougher roads.

“While it does handle nicely, and probably has the most supportive seat overall, it is a bit cumbersome, like it lumbers over bumps,” she proffered.

“I felt like I couldn’t take corners at speed.”

Stuart’s analysis of Car C was quite similar, though he didn’t mind the “precise” steering.

“The suspension is not bad, but it’s not the world’s greatest, either,” he said.

“You can feel the road, and it feels a bit wooden. It feels like an old-fashioned sedan.”

The judge’s decision is final. Isn’t it?

Under normal circumstances, our multi-car comparisons reveal a single outright winner. In the Blind Test, things were a little different.

In asking four everyday motorists to analyse their thoughts on three very different cars we found it really was a case of ‘horses for courses’, even if some of the feedback showed similar themes.

Asked to pick a winner, and still with badges covered, our panel voted as follows.

On reflection Stuart, 77, and Josh, 30, praised the ride comfort and dynamics of the Car A, but were divided in their final verdict.

Stuart felt Car B was the better car, saying “I could imagine buying one of these; it’s good fun. Though, it felt better on the freeway than slogging through the suburbs”.

Josh, on the other hand, felt it was Car A that “did most things well and at the same time nothing wrong.” An expression he said didn’t apply to Car B or C.

Our female judges also seemed drawn to “sportier” Car B, adding that the model was aesthetically more pleasing, too.

“It felt solid, more comfortable and far sexier,” said Amber.

Karen adding, “It felt sportier, more fun to drive, and responsive. I also felt safer in it.”

So which car was which?

Car A – Hyundai Elantra (from $21,490 plus on-road costs)
Car B – Audi A3 (from $40,100 plus on-road costs)
Car C – Kia Cerato (from $19,990 plus on-road costs)

The final word
The Audi A3 is triumphant on this occasion, but comments are proof that it wasn’t as clear cut as a three-to-one vote would suggest. And we didn’t even talk about price!

Our test shows that for everyday buyers, that gap is diminishing on all fronts. It also proves that just like aesthetics, ride and handling is a matter of personal taste – there is no one-size-fits-all here.

And now you’ve heard it from someone other than us.