When it came time to name our best affordable small car in the 2025 CarExpert Choice Awards, there was really only one option.
The new Kia K4 is a compelling small sedan, and the Mazda 3 sedan and hatch continue to attract large numbers of Australians for good reason, which is why we named both models as finalists in this award.
But the Hyundai i30 Sedan is the one we’d recommend to friends and family. And it’s the i30 Sedan we’re awarding specifically here because it’s dramatically different to the much older i30 hatch.
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Before the rise of SUVs and utes, small cars used to be Australia’s most popular new vehicle type and the sub-$45,000 passenger car segment continues to be dominated by the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Mazda 3 and i30 which are also available in both hatch and sedan form.
So far this year the BYD Dolphin electric hatch and MG 5 sedan lie lineball in fourth, ahead of the Subaru Impreza and Skoda Scala hatchbacks.
While the current, third-generation i30 hatch has been around since 2016, the latest i30 Sedan – still known as the Elantra or Avante in some overseas markets – was launched in 2020, based on a newer platform and featuring all-new interior and exterior designs.
The i30 Sedan also has a much wider model range than the hatchback – and all of its direct rivals – including both naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, topped by the hot N version that is a unique and compelling alternative to hot hatches.
These petrol engines are not only available across six different equipment grades, but the i30 Sedan is also offered in two hybrid variants, just one fewer than the hybrid-only Corolla sedan.
Priced from $33,000 before on-road costs, the hybrid i30 Sedan’s electrified 1.6-litre petrol-electric powertrain delivers a smooth driving experience and low fuel consumption, while the range-topping i30 N Premium Sedan offers unrivalled performance and technology in its class for $52,000 plus on-roads in either manual or automatic guises.
But even at $29,000 plus on-roads, the entry-level i30 Sedan presents class-leading safety, technology, refinement and space, given its interior dimensions are comparable or even larger than those of some mid-size cars.
In short, the i30 Sedan is not only the best vehicle in its class, but is available in a wider range than any of its competitors, offering variants to suit everyone from first-time car buyers, families on a budget, and ride share drivers, to keen drivers and even track-day goers.
“I’d hesitate to even call this a small sedan – the back seat puts some so-called mid-sizers to shame,” said CarExpert news editor William Stopford.
“The i30 Sedan is distinctively styled and sharply priced, and the sheer range of variants on offer is staggering – everything from a price-leader atmo petrol through to hybrids and all the way up to the hot turbocharged N. There’s truly something for everyone here, though the highlights for me are the grin-inducing N and the thrifty hybrids.”
CarExpert marketplace editor James Wong said: “It’s not all that ‘small’ but the i30 Sedan range offers plenty of choice for different buyers and budgets, as well as segment-busting space.
“The i30 Sedan offers good value from the base petrol and hybrid versions right through to the hot N. Its angular looks cut a distinctive line in traffic, it’s relatively cheap to maintain, and offers a good balance between comfort and driving enjoyment across the board.”