2018 Hyundai i30 vs 2018 Volkswagen Golf Comparison Review 

Hyundai is impresive though

Let’s not forget the Hyundai 5 year warranty, better customer service, cheaper servicing costs and no fabricated emission figures! I will also mention the water pump that failed on my wife’s VW Polo 3 months after its warranty was up with 25k on the clock. VW effectively told me to get lost. Best car my backside.

i30 is great.

Nice review! I test drove the Golf Trendline and the i30 Elite here in Australia. Their prices are almost exactly the same (after bargaining) with very similar safety/tech features although the i30 just has a bit more plus leather seats. My initial impression was that the Golf was a class above, especially in terms of interior look and feel and the engine (sounds really good too). The steering wheel felt so nice and smooth. Generally it is more comfortable. That said, I thought that the i30 was a very good car and felt better than the top selling Japanese cars (e.g. Mazda 3). Unfortunately, I was pretty annoyed by the DSG lag in the Golf. I couldn't stand that throttle delay before the obtaining the best of the engine, especially in urban traffic where I spend a lot of time in. The VW guy (who was very nice/respectful) suggested me to adjust my driving style and drive it more like a manual. But what I really wanted was a simple auto and traction the moment I step on it. Not very interested in adjusting my style. If the Golf had a normal auto box, I would have certainly picked it (a VW with a price of a Hyundai, pretty good value). However the DSG lag made me think hard. I realised that driving the i30 auto felt more natural and was the next best thing in the market for me. Crucially, it had 5 years warranty from Hyundai PLUS another 5 year mechanical warranty and roadside assist from the dealership (that's TEN years of warranty) compared to VW's 3 years. I intend to keep my new car for at least 5 years. The i30 also drinks regular unleaded vs VW's need for premium fuel and servicing costs are also lower. Styling wise, the i30 is fresher while the current generation Golf (like the Mazda3) is ageing. Finally, Dieselgate (and that darn Netflix documentary) did make me think a little bit about whether I really should put my money on VW company. So, I made the sensible choice for me. I purchased the i30 and very happy with it.

An accurate depiction of the two contenders. I am a 220Km 2009 Mk6 TDI owner and very happy with it.

I think I would choose the I30 only for the main fact is that VW still have very poor customer service whereas Hyundai is much, much better. I know VW said they are improving until that is translated through to the local dealer service network it is still a work in action.

I like Hyundai i30 1.6L awesome comparison

Huge fan of Hyundai Cars...

I test drove both and I ended up with the i30 premium. I was splitting hairs with the quality and driving and after negotiating, the Golf was going to be still $3,000-$4,000 more (with no options). But the Hyundai comes with 2 years more warranty and much cheaper servicing costs and better standard equipment. Also I hated the sunroof in the Golf as it only has a cheap manual see through curtain to pull over when you want to block out the sun (light still gets through). The Hyundai has a full auto blockout roof. **Plus I think this review is a little disingenuous. The options that the Golf has in the review total nearly $7,000, bring the TDI (with r line) price to nearly $49,000, where the Hyundai is $35,000. This is in Victoria.

all my german cars(Volksvagen Jetta, Passat and Audi A4) have had a reliability issues so far w/ good refined feeling. I would take I30.

No volume knob on the Golf. i30 wins.

I think in this generation the Golf wins. It has better materials, feels more premium and has great handling. In next generation it could be Hyundai who wins. They make amazing improvements with every generation !

A TDI Golf Highline with the R package is $49k vs $38k for the i30 premium = not the same money

I would always prefer the i30. Even as a German I quit driving German cars many years ago - you just don't get enough "bang for the buck", and I will not pay so much more for just the brand logo.

2018 Hyundai i30 is more better, looks very good!. 🤜🏼 VW Golf.

lets not forget the golf in this version is almost $$50.000..... very bias review

i30 is such a popular car in Australia that the amount of it I saw when I was having a vacation in Australia was even larger than the amount of kangaroos I saw lol

What is the warranty and service intervals like? This review seems very bias towards the Golf.

As my second car, hyundai i30 is good enough and reliable

Hyundai i30new looks much fresher and better than golf👍

I don’t think the correct as tested price has been listed for the golf. With the colour, r line package and entertainment package it takes it about 41k plus on roads, whereas I believe the Hyundai includes all its options as priced Is the golf worth 8k more in this comparison? Volkswagen like all German car makers sting u with the options whereas Asian car makers usually include all the good stuff.

In Croatia that i30 with that equipment costs around 25k Euros! And Golf with that kind of equipment is around 37k euros, maybe bit more since it's DSG so around 12-13k euros difference. I believe it's not much difference for whole Europe (i mean that golf is much more expensive), but can't say 100%

Trend in these kind of videos is to hate on the better car

love i30

Nice note about the hanging shirt LOL

I30

I30 . What a beauty!!!

Mate. The Golf also has a hidden floor. Which increases space significantly. Come on a bit more thoroughness. Because your videos are generally good. You also forgot to mention that the i30 used to a flip out reversing camera like the Golf, which they omitted now.

I wish they brought that full 7.5 refresh to the states, that digital dash is really cool!

Great review. I30 does look much cheaper inside out than Golf. Golf looks premium.

what a great review, well done. the vw looks the business but its unreliable. my pic is the i30.

Reading all these comments about the unreliability for the Golf is quite sad. I was considering the Golf for a change. It seems like a nice design to me.

Old boy, or should I say , young man. Sure, the VW is a 6 gen. refined car. But. With the i30 shows Hyundai we are looking at the future. This is indeed true of the combined Hyundai/Kia Group. Whilst in 1961, my first car was the new VW Beetle uprated 40hp from the '60 36hp, and whilst it was astoundingly well built (remember they floated), I/we must face the future with honesty. Almost like Stockbokers. It's okay to love something like a brand, but evidence always trumps emotion when it comes to picking a winner. And we both know that.

Vw golf interior looks awsome

VW Golf 7.5 Diesel $43,500 with a 3 year unlimited km warranty. Hyundai i30 Diesel Premium $39,500 with a 5 year unlimited km warranty.

Nice intro music! Good, comprehensive review, too.

in the 90s, vw was good and hyundai was bad! but no more, now it's the other way around. Just hear bad about vw all the time. I just bought a Hyundai i30 1.4 DCT premium 2018 model.

I choose Hyundai

well done! Good review!

No mention of warranty terms or servicing costs...

I must admit, I am not sold on the digestal drivers displays that are coming out, VW, Merc etc.

you can get a i30 sr premium for $32,500 maybe even cheaper now that we have a new year coming up. The golf's insides do look alot nicer compared to the hyundai .

Good stuff man

Who the hell needs VW electric seat adjustment ? I bought my current car 4 years ago, adjusted the seat & the mirrors there n then, job done. I guess the i30 cooled seats might be nice in Australia.

exterior i30 interior golf

Great review!

I own a ix35 and could not be more satisfied. Just an honest and reliable car that is worth every penny.I had lesser expectations but the car has prooved me wrong.

I'm going to upgrade from i20 to i30 in 2019 Insha Allah ...

Just a few things to note, the rear doors have hard plastic, the boot had an adjustable floor. Your economy figures are little high. I get 6.5 around town and low 5s and even 4.8 on a good run on the highway (90tsi). I think the i30 SR premium would have been the better comparison in this case.

Every VW I've had has failed at some point except a 08 Jetta which I hardly used. Now I only use Toyota.

Jealous of your prices in australia, here in Ireland same spec golf is 40k euro. hence I had to order an entry spec golf for 30k!

Hyundai has put a lot of effort in quality for the past years and the results are remarkable. The i30 looks great. But I love the Golf. Right now my second Golf is sitting at my parking space in the condo where I live. It's a brand new Golf Highline with only 142 km on the odometer, I took delivery of it this week. I stick with this classic, great German car, but keep an eye on the Hyundai! By the way, great video, thank you for your insight.

Should compare i30 SR premium Turbo petrol 34990 with that golf

Veryy beatiful Hyundai 👌

Back seat part is just a lie. The golf is awful with front and year leg room. Driving the golf is good, but as a passenger it feels quite harsh. Also, this wasn't a fair model comparison, should of been SR Premium vs Golf Comfortline with no options. SR Premium would blow a Comfortline out the water in almost every way possible.

But what advantages do they have over a train? Which I could also afford.

look what Volkswagen mean after talk for Hyundai i30 is the best

Best Peugeot ever made

golf definetly wins looks better interior is better layed out and from personalt experience it drives better though that isnt a huge difference the speakers are better overall and the vag digital drives display is best in class the golf has dab+ here in europe at least. Reliability isnt bad on vw's at all here in europe maintenace is higher on hyundai's then volkswagens here you rarely see i30's

I own a Volkswagen Golf R32 4Motion Dsg Mk5, end 2008 model Clutch/dsg failed at 65k. Brand new clutch /dsg from Volkswagen directly cost me £1500+labour, took it to £2300 Now at 67k on the clock one of the rear differential failed. New differential from Volkswagen directly is £2500+vat +labour not included. Still, however I'm still thinking considering Volkswagen Golf R TSI 310,latest model as my next purchase. I do like the Hyundai latest model I30N sport, however, it only comes with manual transmission wich kinda puts me off, I live in London so dsg /automatic transmission is a must for me!

I wish VW of North America would put the 1.4 TSI in the Golf. Mid 7 L/100 km around town is about 2 L/100 km better than our 1.8 TSI.

I30 win!!!

pls remove the dandruff before filming. balanced review with the goods and the bads as always. thumbsup.

Can you do a review of the Golf Alltrack?

Dont forget Golf is much more expensive than I30, I30 has diesel 1.6 who is more expensive than a petrol as Golf 1.4 l has, but Golf in Europe cost ca.5000 us dollar more.

There is no doubting that for quality, driving ambiance, general ownership cache' there is no comparison to the golf in this class. Have them service by the correct VW dealership too, right parts, guaranteed and preservation of perfect service history. I've tried 3rd parties with a BMW X3 for example and their parts were a joke. do the right thing ...you know it makes sense :)

Man, the Hyundai looks kinda cheap next to that particular Golf. I really love that sport package on the Golf. It looks far more upscale.

no matter... i'd pick the vw anytime.

With a dry clutch gearbox from the Golf 7.5, I would assume the problem from the previous generation is the same then? I have experience constant shuddering / slipping problem in second to third gear from my Mk 7. I wonder why don’t they change it to a wet clutch gearbox?

the dsg transmission is notorious. brakes down a lot and expensive to repair. hyundai is much more reliable and although i do acknowledge the golf to be a better all around car, it's reliability issues is the reason i'd choose the i30 every day any day

Compere diesel vs diesel or petrol vs petrol

VW is definitely better looking inside out but major design/build quality problems with DSG (which vw doesn't admit) makes me choose hyundai.

What an impressive review for I30 ! but you know what guys? Hyundai makes the worst car when they sell to Korean people. exported ones are much better like the airbag works. In Korea it does not work

would like to see which one holds up to its name in years..I would bet Hyundai...VWs nowadays have problems with electronics, just imagine your beautiful digi-screen for the speedometer and rev-meeter shutting down or your car having problems with the soft, or whatever. This is why you see forums for Volkswagen with a loooot of issues, than say, KIA, Hyundai or Toyota....

give me the sr premium hynudai any day of the week love mine and kills the golf

Hyundai is the best!!!!

Golf is the best hatch ever made. German and japanese cars are the best, i have no doubt!

The golf gives a premium feel however, it's only on the surface, don't be fooled! I had a golf for 6 years and at 90Kms it felt like it had done 290Kms. Constant issues and serious mechanical problems, not to mention dishonest and deceptive dealers. I would choose the I30 for reliability and modern design, less dealer issues and less dishonesty.

Is this from Canada?

Design i30 but i choose golf look so comfortable

No dab radio on the golf? My mk 6 has it, so that is very weird.

i choose the golf. why? because they are not in the same level.

both nice cars.

The colour of the i30 is the stargazing blue?

i30n

I'm guessing that, as an auto journalist, you don't actually have to go through the whole long term ownership / dealer experience/reliability thing with your own 'hard earned' cash. That's why I bought a Hyundai TD i30 Turbo Premium & not a VW. To clarify my point , you should know, that in 1961, I bought my first car, a newly released ('61) VW Beetle, a wonderful & beautifully crafted vehicle, but only after 'defying' my Dad who favoured other small cars, mainly from Britain. If nowadays VW REALLY CARED about the consumer, I would probably, by default, have bought a V 'DUB. In 2004 I bought a [second] car, a GETZ & such was & still is it's reliability, Hyundai won me over! You see, I'm not a "badge snob" although I must admit to in the '1960's' owning a then new Jag XKE-Type, esp good for chasing 'the chics'(not PC I know). As an aeroplane pilot, in those heady days, such was expected of me.

Don't know how in the world people can compare a VW car, with any Corean- Chinese. Only if you know nothing about the subject. I would consider it if the price was half priced.

i30

Golf is not significantly updated. It got a face lift, same interior same mechanics.

i30 all the way !!!

I think the gingham print is starting to look dated. 2018 is more about darker natural tones like army green. Looks great in a tailored fit.

Nice music

Tenho um i30 2012 e só troco por um 2018

That VW price doesn't seem right, Golf Highline with NO OPTIONS is over 40k on VW website...

i30>>golf

Youre pronouncing hyundai wrong

Tom stop being so gorgeous 😍

VW (People's Car) better than Hyundai? Give me the name of your dealer, because I don't believe it.

Hyundai, without a doubt

Australian ed sheeran doing car reviews? Lol