Hyundai i30 Sedan vs Subaru WRX
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.
Hyundai i30 Sedan
From $29,000
Sedan
Petrol
SmartStream G2.0 MPi
110kW
6.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
474L
Subaru WRX
From $48,890
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
202kW
9.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
414L
Hyundai i30 Sedan: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and warranty.
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.
Track the Hyundai i30 Sedan & Subaru WRX
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai i30 Sedan starts from $29,000 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX opens at $48,890. That makes the Hyundai i30 Sedan the more affordable entry point by $19,890.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $31,900 and $53,779 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Hyundai i30 Sedan by roughly $5,415 in fuel alone.
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 Hyundai i30 Sedan features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Subaru WRX gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan stands out with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging that you will not find on the Subaru WRX. The Subaru WRX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai i30 Sedan gets premium cloth upholstery while the Subaru WRX offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai i30 Sedan uses a SmartStream G2.0 MPi producing 110kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a smartstream ivt (intelligent variable transmission) to a FWD layout.
The Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai i30 Sedan measures 4,710mm long on a 2,720mm wheelbase, 40mm longer than the Subaru WRX at 4,670mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai i30 Sedan generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 474L in the Hyundai i30 Sedan and 414L in the Subaru WRX, giving the Hyundai i30 Sedan a 60L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.2m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,739/year for the Hyundai i30 Sedan and $2,822/year for the Subaru WRX. That is a $1,083 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai i30 Sedan.
Estimated annual total: $1,739 (Hyundai i30 Sedan) vs $2,822 (Subaru WRX). The Hyundai i30 Sedan saves you roughly $1,083 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai i30 Sedan if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i30 Sedan takes 4 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Hyundai i30 Sedan will save you roughly $1,083 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Hyundai i30 Sedan 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 Sedan and Subaru WRX?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan is the cheapest at $29,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru WRX by $19,890.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan uses the least fuel at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Hyundai i30 Sedan and Subaru WRX carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan has the largest boot at 474L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX makes the most power at 202kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
