Holden Barina vs Hyundai i30 Sedan
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Holden Barina
Price TBC
Sedan
Petrol
1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder petrol
85kW
6.8 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
502L
Hyundai i30 Sedan
From $29,000
Sedan
Petrol
SmartStream G2.0 MPi
110kW
6.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
474L
Holden Barina: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
Hyundai i30 Sedan: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and warranty.
Blank cells below mean we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Holden Barina features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Hyundai i30 Sedan gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments.
The Holden Barina stands out with heated front seats that you will not find on the Hyundai i30 Sedan. The Hyundai i30 Sedan counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Holden Barina uses a 1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder petrol producing 85kW and 155Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a FWD layout.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan responds with a SmartStream G2.0 MPi making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a smartstream ivt (intelligent variable transmission) driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 85kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Holden Barina measures 4,399mm long on a 2,525mm wheelbase, 311mm shorter than the Hyundai i30 Sedan at 4,710mm (2,720mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai i30 Sedan generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 502L in the Holden Barina and 474L in the Hyundai i30 Sedan, giving the Holden Barina a 28L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m diameter
Good
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,938/year for the Holden Barina and $1,739/year for the Hyundai i30 Sedan. That is a $199 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai i30 Sedan.
Estimated annual total: $1,938 (Holden Barina) vs $1,739 (Hyundai i30 Sedan). The Hyundai i30 Sedan saves you roughly $199 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Holden Barina if: You need more boot space, or prefer Holden's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai i30 Sedan if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i30 Sedan takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Hyundai i30 Sedan will save you roughly $199 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Holden Barina and Hyundai i30 Sedan?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan is the cheapest at $29,000 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan uses the least fuel at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Holden Barina all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Holden Barina has the largest boot at 502L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan makes the most power at 110kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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