Buying My First Car Brand New - Hyundai i30 or Kia Cerato?

neilpatrickharris on 20/03/2018 - 17:28
Last edited 20/03/2018 - 17:30

I'm looking to buy a car at the end of this week or early next week.

I've been considering the Hyundai i30 Active and the Kia Cerato Sports Plus. Auto & latest versions for both.

Everyone I've spoken to has suggested the i30, saying that Kias are crap. I know absolutely nothing about cars, and the main things I care about is the interior.

Both have apple carplay (something I want) and are similar in price. My friend told me that the i30 is using new components whereas the Kia was "old" in terms of its technology. The only reason I'm considering the Sports plus version is because it looks more luxurious with the leather seats, and I can't afford to go to the SR version of the i30 for the same.

I've been told I can get the i30 for 23500 driveaway, and potentially the Kia for 24800 after their current $777 discount.

I'm happy to pay cash but would ideally like to put this on my credit card and balance transfer it out to another at ~1%.

Does anyone have any experience with either? Also, are these good prices? (I'm based in Sydney)

Cheers
NPH

Automotive

Comments

  • grocerygetter on 20/03/2018 - 17:40

    Had a new Kia Cerato last week as a rental.
    Was an amazing car and was very impressed with it. It was the base model but came with a lot of features I did not expect to be standard.
    EDIT : Just remembered that Hyundai recently refreshed the i30 Line. Go for the i30.

  • yokumoku on 20/03/2018 - 17:43

    Difficult choice, if you want a modern look, go for Hyundai. If you value the 7 year warranty, go for Kia.

  • sph on 20/03/2018 - 17:45
    +4

    Given this is ozbargain, recommend buying second hand i30, say 2012, and then retrofit Apple CarPlay. Will save heaps on initial purchase as well as ongoing insurance cost.

    If you insist on new car, just go with the one you like the feel. Those cars are similar, so very subjective decision.

  • inherentchoice on 20/03/2018 - 18:02

    +1 for Cerato. But I noticed this expert comparison which says it's a line ball…

    https://www.carsguide.com.au/head-to-head/kia-cerato-sli-hat…

    • justdigi on 21/03/2018 - 08:57

      I think you'll find that the current generation Honda Civic is manufactured in Thailand. The previous i30 my workplace had was manufactured in the Czech Republic. YMMV so that's actually something to check when purchasing.

  • Kangal on 20/03/2018 - 18:15
    +1

    I tried both hatchbacks the new i30 SR (150kW) and the new Cerato Sport (112kW).
    And they're both very similar inside and out, but there's a few touches in the Hyundai which make it slightly better styled.

    In terms of performance, its night and day. They're both very light/nimble, but the new Hyundai has the punch-power to really overtake your average red-light races.
    I don't think there's a big difference in terms of quality, but I expect the Hyundai would probably sell more units… so come 5 years you probably will have more 3rd-party parts for it (cheaper to repair). However, the Kia does have the warranty advantage but I'm not sure how crucial it is at this price segment (but for something more dear like the Kia GT it is definitely a big selling-point).

    I would lean towards the Hyundai, even at a slightly higher cost.
    I'm not sure about the new 202kW Hyundai i30-N… heard its a "Pure Hot Hatch", almost as aggressive as the Civic TypeR and Golf GTi, but much more composed for 9-5 stuff.
    However, a true OzBargainer would probably get a 5 year old Toyota Corolla instead… or a used midsized car like a Mazda 3 / Subaru WRX hatch.

  • Switchblade88 on 20/03/2018 - 18:33
    +3

    Remember, Hyundai owns Kia, and most of their models are simliarly-specc'd and produced in the same factories. 90% of my car parts are in fact dual-stamped with both logos. They both share the same engineering, manufacturing, administration teams even if the external designs are different.

    In my case, I own a 7-seater Sorento as well as a Cerato. I got the Sorento because the equivalent Hyundai model, the ix35, commanded a $10k premium for a similar used vehicle. I bought the Cerato next, after being so impressed with the reliability (and the reason for their long warranty period). The internal finish is cheap and cheerful, but because people rubbished the Kia brand in general, I picked it up for a steal - the value I've got out of it well surpasses the price.

    In your case, I'd say both are great choices, and you should go with whichever one you're happiest with - you really can't make a bad choice on personal taste.

    • jaclarkaus on 21/03/2018 - 07:25

      Hyundai only owns about 1/3 but in exchange, Kia owns roughly the same value of Hyundai

    • pitiek on 24/03/2018 - 22:06

      Are you referring to Santa Fe or ix35?

  • BargainShopaholic on 20/03/2018 - 18:37
    +1

    I test drove both! But ended up getting an impreza for $25k, has Apple CarPlay and all the safety features. Love my car!

    But, if it has to be between the Hyundai and Kia, then I would go for the i30. It drove and felt better.

    • smuggler on 20/03/2018 - 18:53
      +3

      No, those drivers all drive Mercs and BMWs.

      • payton on 20/03/2018 - 19:02
        +1

        with vanity plates

      • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 19:10
        -1

        That's bullshit. Merc drivers all sit above the speed limit.

        • smuggler on 20/03/2018 - 19:17
          +1

          not the asian ones

    • EmCKay on 20/03/2018 - 20:07
      +1

      I drive a Kia Cerato. Why do I drive a Korean car? Because I could afford to pay for it outright and not end up in debt.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 20:27
        -2

        Work harder, dammit man. Nothing says low life aspirations like a Korean car.

        • Cluster on 20/03/2018 - 21:00

          That's funny

        • phocus on 21/03/2018 - 13:15

          dude. Chill out, not everyone has aspirations to big a dick in a euro car

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 13:24

          @phocus: I know, they are pathetic

        • ego22 on 23/03/2018 - 18:15

          you sound like a terrible person. i feel for all who know you

  • Euphemistic on 20/03/2018 - 19:10
    +1

    So many of this type of question. Kia and Hyundai are owned by the same company. Both cars are built on he same platform. Just pick the one you like most, there isn’t much difference between them.

  • atris17 on 20/03/2018 - 19:20

    I drive a Hyundai i30! Bought mine for 14K for a 2014 Model around 2016

    • Cheap Insurance, Servicing
    • Economical
    • 5 Year Warranty
    • Smooth Driving
    • Eco Mode to save fuel
    • Large Booth + Fold Seat = LOADS OF STORAGE, FIT A fridge when i relocate

    Love it

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 19:23
      -6

      Yep, take the advice of a guy who categorises a benefit of a car as being 'smooth driving'.

      • TheOneWhoKnocks on 20/03/2018 - 21:39

        How was that advice?

      • timthetoolman on 20/03/2018 - 22:04

        Bit salty mate, did he pull out in front of you? Or you just don't like people who buy a car and enjoy a smooth drive, rather than someone who won't buy a car coz a few bad drivers have one?

        • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 22:45
          -4

          Smooth driving is most definitely not a criteria that anyone judges a car by.

  • Peter Enis on 20/03/2018 - 19:23
    +1

    The Cerato has a lot of problems with the head unit, just read the Whirlpool forum.
    I'd go for the i30 now because its fresher so the shape will remain current for longer, whereas apparently there is an all new Cerato coming soon.
    Owned a 2011 Cerato for 5yrs and it was a perfectly capable runabout.
    All these people who rubbish on Hyundai and Kia are living in the past.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 20:35

      /not bogans. The Kia is the commodore of the 20teens

  • shangoz on 20/03/2018 - 19:26

    Depend on how long you want to own them, but both price can lock down 20% at least if you are good negotiator, but I do prefer Honda Civic or, Toyota, Toyota is so easy to maintenance, but Honda is so reliable, you can keep it at least 20 years if you care for it.

    • Cluster on 20/03/2018 - 20:34

      If you can get 20% off a KIA Cerato, I would be amazed. The car currently retails for $20k driveaway, with automatic, and a $777 gift card. I would challenge any private buyer to get a dealer to sell them a new auto Cerato for $16k.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 20:35

      Yeah they are proving that reliability with their F1 engine

      • Cluster on 20/03/2018 - 20:37

        Alonso: "It feels like GP2. Embarrassing. Very embarrassing. I'll do my best…"

  • oscargamer on 20/03/2018 - 19:36
    +1

    Kia and Hyundai are from the same family.

    Buy the one you prefer.

    Both are good.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2018 - 20:31
      -5

      Seriously though, on a scale of great, good and bad in the car world, where do you think Korean cars sit? They are certainly above Chinese cars, but what other country produces worse cars? They are certainly a big improvement on where they were 10 years ago, and can certainly be considered adequate transport, but they aren’t up there with the Europeans. They’re catching the Japanese for sure, but that’s more to do with he Japanese falling behind.

      • Euphemistic on 21/03/2018 - 06:33
        +1

        I’d put Korean ahead of euro for value, servicing cost and probably reliability. The lose a bit or resale, ‘luxury’ and design.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 07:05

          That wasn’t the question

        • Euphemistic on 21/03/2018 - 09:20

          @Burnertoasty: But it was your response.

          They are certainly a big improvement on where they were 10 years ago, and can certainly be considered adequate transport, but they aren’t up there with the Europeans.

  • Cluster on 20/03/2018 - 19:59

    When looking at the i30 vs Cerato in 2016 I chose the i30. It was the little things, like nicer dashboard, and the 12V socket in the boot. But mainly because at the time I wanted a diesel, and KIA didn't offer one. Hyundai did.

  • Brucet on 20/03/2018 - 20:50
    +2

    If you are after reliable & quality car.You should choose Toyota & HOnda.

  • jason101 on 20/03/2018 - 21:19
    +3

    I frequently rent vehicles for my job when traveling. I have had both the Cerato and the i30. This Sunday, Monday I had a month old i30 and I was blown away with its awesomeness. I'm a bit of a brand snob and of all the hundreds of rentals I've had, always prefered the Corolla hatch for (relative) speed, comfort and handling, The i30 has won me over. Not sure of the model spec I had but.

    • Punchy 6 speed auto
    • Extremely smooth (no harshness) engine
    • Awesome (relative) dab radio with plenty of crisp treble and mid, comes on within an instant of key turn and has that old commodore feature of not turning off with the engine but when you open the door.
    • Good seats (for a 100kg guy) Kia in particular generally leave the seats fully compressed and 1/2 my leg unsupported.
    • Tire pressure Monitor in the main console showing all 4 tyres at once
    • Great ac - easily handled the 42'c in Sydney on Sunday

    Nice touches included the very high quality trans knob and button, not harsh but moved notichitly through its sequence, very nice tension feel to the hand brake - I think these small things really add to the feel of quality and i really noticed them.

    The only gripe I had was the ac fan control nob is too far over on the passenger side so you have to lean forward to adjust the fan speed. Also the Bluetooth audio had to be cranked to the max to hear calls but this may be something addressable in a software update, at max it was satisfactory and I don't rate my hearing as great.

  • neilpatrickharris on 20/03/2018 - 21:38
    +1

    Thanks for all the comments guys, hearing great things about the i30 so definitely leaning towards that. Anyone bought an i30 active auto recently? Am I paying too much? What add ons do people get when negotiating? I've never done this so not really sure what to expect.

  • voiletmay on 21/03/2018 - 07:27

    I'v had both as hire vehicles, and the kia felt more like a luxury car than the i30 did.

    Not sure which one I would chose if I had to chose myself though. My friend has had two kias and then both only lasted as long as the warranty and then afterwards were too expensive to keep repairing.

    The kia I drove didn't have a reversing camera (only sensors). I reckon that would be the deciding factor for me.

    Oh you know what.. we also had a hire car that was a toyota corolla ascent sport, and my tall husband was a lot more comfortable in that that than any other car he has been in (including much bigger cars).

  • HeWhoKnows on 21/03/2018 - 08:36
    +1

    Dear OP.
    Buy the one YOU like.
    Both are Korean cars.
    Kia now gives a great warranty and are a nice car to drive.
    My friend who is a mechanic prefers to drive a Kia work car.

    Dont know about Kia but Hyundai are now made VERY CHEAPLY.
    They fall apart so easily. Unbeliveable.

    Probably both the same

  • Hithere on 21/03/2018 - 08:58
    +1

    Kia have lifted their game and now make well fitted out cheap and cheerful cars with 7 year warranties.

    The Cerato is a comfortable car to drive long distances, fuel economy between 6.5 and 7.00 l/100k. It's a bit noisy though due to the crappy tyres it comes with.

    I have the S AV upgrade in mine and have been having issues with the radio in it since new, as many Cerato owners can testify. Kia still deny that it's an issue though so it still hasn't been fixed.

    Given a choice of the i30 or Cerato I'd go for the Cerato, which you can get with a good discount if you shop around.

    • kimba88 on 29/08/2018 - 22:06

      Have you tried video recording the AV unit issue to show your local service centre?

  • ELH05 on 21/03/2018 - 11:27

    Ive driven both, I wouldn't choose the Kia Cerato. I ended up with a Holden Astra - I love it, really nice drive and well kitted out.

  • Darron65 on 21/03/2018 - 18:23

    Here's a thought; test drive each one and buy the one you like best. You don't have to impress us.

  • Birchy on 21/03/2018 - 22:26

    The i30 will have a better resale value.

  • DarkOz on 30/08/2018 - 07:28

    If only a choice between i30 and Cerato I would go for Cerato.

    i30 is a relatively new car but it's ageing very very quickly. It already looks like an old model to be replaced soon. I read that Kia had put a lot of effort into this new Cerato so much so that it's eating into its own Optima territory.

  • l005e on 30/08/2018 - 07:36

    We have a 15 cerato. Very roomy and comfortable. Get 8L/100km.

    Few bad points that tick me:
    I hate the accelerator pedal design.
    Suspension is really spongy.
    When you turn the fan on in the car the a/c always comes on.
    Seems to get hot inside the car. Poor thermal barriers I assume

    My 2c

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join