Volvo S40 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.
Data checked: specs 12 Aug 2026, price 1 Oct 2026
Volvo S40: we're still completing price, kerb weight, seat count, warranty and ground clearance.
Hyundai i30 Sedan: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and turning circle, plus 1 other.
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
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
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 Volvo S40 lines up producing 125kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed geartronic automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.9 seconds.
The Hyundai i30 Sedan lines up making 104kW and 265Nm, paired to a 6dct dual-clutch driving the front wheels.
The Volvo S40 has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 104kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volvo S40 measures 4,476mm long on a 2,640mm wheelbase, 234mm 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 404L in the Volvo S40 and 474L in the Hyundai i30 Sedan, giving the Hyundai i30 Sedan a 70L 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 9.2 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 $2,594/year for the Volvo S40 and $1,112/year for the Hyundai i30 Sedan. That is a $1,482 annual difference in favour of the Hyundai i30 Sedan.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volvo S40 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai i30 Sedan if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Hyundai i30 Sedan: Top CarSorted Score, 61 vs 36
The Hyundai i30 Sedan comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (61 vs 36), taking 2 of 3 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Hyundai i30 Sedan ahead by 46), value (Hyundai i30 Sedan ahead by 36), safety (Hyundai i30 Sedan ahead by 31). The Hyundai i30 Sedan will save you roughly $1,482 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.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Volvo S40 and Hyundai i30 Sedan?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan is the cheapest at $33,250 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai i30 Sedan uses the least fuel at 3.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai i30 Sedan holds a 3-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volvo S40, 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 Sedan has the largest boot at 474L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo S40 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo S40 makes the most power at 125kW.
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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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