Hyundai i30 Hatch vs Kia Soul
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks 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.
Hyundai i30 Hatch
From $36,000
Hatchback
Petrol
1.5 T-Gdi
117kW
5.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
395L
Kia Soul
Price TBC
Hatchback
Petrol
In-line 4 cyl DOHC D-CVVT 16-valve petrol
95kW
6.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
340L
Kia Soul: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h, transmission, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 2 others.
A blank cell below means 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
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Hyundai i30 Hatch stands out with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Soul. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai i30 Hatch uses a 1.5 T-Gdi producing 117kW and 253Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed dct (dry clutch) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.4 seconds.
The Kia Soul responds with a In-line 4 cyl DOHC D-CVVT 16-valve petrol making 95kW and 157Nm, paired to its gearbox driving the front wheels.
The Hyundai i30 Hatch has the clear power advantage at 117kW vs 95kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai i30 Hatch measures 4,340mm long on a 2,650mm wheelbase, 235mm longer than the Kia Soul at 4,105mm (2,550mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai i30 Hatch generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 395L in the Hyundai i30 Hatch and 340L in the Kia Soul, giving the Hyundai i30 Hatch a 55L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m 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 $1,596/year for the Hyundai i30 Hatch and $1,853/year for the Kia Soul. That is a $257 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai i30 Hatch.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai i30 Hatch) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Kia Soul). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai i30 Hatch if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Soul if: You or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i30 Hatch takes 3 of 3 key spec categories. The Hyundai i30 Hatch will save you roughly $257 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai i30 Hatch has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai i30 Hatch and Kia Soul?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch is the cheapest at $36,000 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch uses the least fuel at 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Soul holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Hyundai i30 Hatch, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch has the largest boot at 395L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai i30 Hatch makes the most power at 117kW.
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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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