If you remove all branded logos from these cars, then even the most pretentious motorist will not immediately determine which of them is who. KIA Ceed and Hyundai i30 are literally twin brothers. These are especially popular. Well, if the cars are so similar to each other, you can not hesitate to buy any? Let's see if that's the case. In our article, we will compare which of the "brothers" is better - KIA Sid or Hyundai i30?

Sellability Secret

Let's take a look at the pedigree. The South Korean Hyundai "Ai 30" is assembled in the Czech Republic. he went in 2007. Needless to say, it was not best time, because the crisis did not contribute to the increase in sales ...

Although against this background, the “Korean” KIA Sid survived the cashless times very well and entered the top 20 cars (13th position). The secret of KIA's advantage over Hyundai in this case lies on the surface: with a striking external and technical similarity, LED is cheaper.

Specifications

Car model:	KIA Ceed	Hyundai i30
Producing country:	Slovakia	Czech
body type:	hatchback	hatchback
Number of places:	5	5
Number of doors:	5	5
Engine capacity, cu. cm:	1582	1582
Power, l. s./about. min.:	115/4000	116/4000
Maximum speed, km/h:	188	184
Acceleration to 100 km/h, s:	11,5	12,8
Type of drive:	front	front
Checkpoint:	5 manual transmission	4 automatic transmission
Fuel type:	diesel fuel	diesel fuel
Consumption per 100 km:	city ​​5.7; track 4.2	city ​​7.6; track 4.9
Length, mm:	4235	4245
Width, mm:	1790	1775
Height, mm:	1480	1480
Clearance, mm:	150	150
Tire size:	195/65R15	185/65 R15
Curb weight, kg:	1367	1403
Gross weight, kg:	1820	1840
Volume fuel tank:	53	53

Plus, KIA has launched the production of its Sid in Kaliningrad. So, the car became “its own” and more adapted to the locals. But there is, of course, a flow from Slovakia.

The fact that KIA made the weather in its "weight category" is also evidenced by the figures. For example, in 2009, about 19,000 LEDs were sold in Russia. This is almost four times higher than sales of the Hyundai i30. Moreover, Sid gave odds to the "celestials" - Mazda, Toyota.

So what happens - there is no point in comparing these machines? Is the choice or Hyundai i30 obvious? Do not rush to conclusions. To keep the intrigue, we note that the "Czech" always tried his best to catch up with the opponent.

Upgrade for KIA

Well, even after the triumphant appearance on the market, KIAvtsy did not rest on their laurels and continued to experiment, releasing Sid after restyling in 2010.

So dressed up

So, what do we deal with the most now? The car can be found in two body styles: hatchback and. The car is equipped with a 1.6-liter engine, which produces 126 "horses". (Earlier the engine was 122-horsepower). Gearbox - five-speed mechanics. A four-speed automatic is also available. The car was “dressed up” with a stylish radiator grille, optical features were corrected, fogs were “driven” into rectangles, and the color gamut was expanded.

Ergonomics: increased degree

Salon now meets passengers in a new decoration. Inside, the degree of ergonomics and comfort has increased. The center console has been modified, the steering wheel has become more comfortable and pleasant to the touch.

improved dashboard. Even in the standard modification, it has become more stylish and understandable in terms of graphic elements. Annoying many orange highlights were replaced with red. In expensive versions, in general, space: it displays on the shield full information about the condition of the car speed mode, the amount of fuel consumed, travel time, etc.

And the model was equipped with climate control for two zones. Many functions in the new Side have been optimized. For example, now you just need to press a button.

No more shaking

What else? The designers have improved the suspension. Now KIA passengers are tightly protected from shaking on a bumpy road. Improved by specialists and. The engine and wheels no longer "dance" on the driver's ears.

"Sewn up" engineers and several fundamental optional innovations. For example, an automated system has appeared that connects wheel slip protection and electric power steering. There is an assistant who will facilitate the task of starting on the rise.

"Thirty" in the style of BMW

The advantages of KIA are obvious. But if you compare it with a competitor, who will come out the winner of the duel between Hyundai i30 and KIA Ceed? We have already said above that in fact our rivals are twins. And it is. Therefore, we will deliberately not list the i30s - they largely duplicate the qualities of Sid.

But if you dig deeper, you can not help but notice a certain similarity between Hyundai and BMW. There are weakly captured corresponding features. They do not make the weather, but give "Ayu" charm and style. Therefore, the exterior, perhaps, is still more fashionable for Hyundai. But the interior after the "upgrade" is more advantageous than the "Russian Korean".

We also note this: a comfortable sofa in the back and, in general, more space in the Hyundai. But luggage compartment more capacious at Sid.

A little from the Japanese, a little from the Germans

However, they did not hesitate and borrowed some elements from twin machines.

like a bride

So, a "Japanese melody" passed through the KIA. He is like that bride at the wedding: there is something alien in the outfit. A little from Lexus (for example, the design of instruments) and a little bit from Honda (steering wheel). And the console resembles Nissan manners.

Inspired by others' successes

"Thirty" also "crossed over" to the German side. Its creators, apparently, were inspired by the same Skoda. Here is an example: in "Ay 30" the backlight is made in blue tones, and the luggage compartment opens with a logoed handle.

"Ay" yes Sid - on the way

It would be great if at least one of our duelists took over from the Japanese-German colleagues experience in the undercarriage. But, alas, so far KIA and Hyundai do not drive so confidently. Especially cars with automatic transmission gears slow down.

In general, if you look at the fight between i30 and Ceed on the way, then Sid, of course, shows more drive. After all, it was originally conceived with, while "Ai" was made with the expectation of a calmer audience.

safe moment

Sid scored five stars in crash testing under the European New Car Assessment Program and became the first "Korean" to achieve such a result. There were little expert questions about the consequences frontal collision, but overall the defense mechanisms scored high.

Test drive car KIA Ceed:

"Ai 30" did not get the "five" on the first try. I had to modify the front panel, which during the impact could injure the driver's legs. By eliminating this risk, Hyundai raised its rating.

By the way, in terms of caring for the safety of foot traffic participants, the authors of the “thirty” showed a higher result than the developers of Sid.

Basic set

And who is stronger - Sid or i30? In principle, the modifications of both machines are comparable. The "base" is as follows: ABS, heated seats, modern music, four pillows, regular electronic anti-theft.

There is a difference in details. For example, the most common "Comfort" from Sid includes air conditioning, and the same version of Hyundai boasts climate control. As if in retaliation, KIA has ESP.

Test Drive Hyundai car i30:

What is the price?

Although the pricing policy drives the models into one niche, it still provides for price acceleration. So, the cost of the standard version of the "Czech" starts from 640 thousand rubles. Identical in terms of set, “Slovak” starts the run from 610 thousand rubles.

According to reviews…

Here's what else to be warned about: according to motorists, Hyundai has adapted worse to the harsh road realities in Russia. Literally from the first sorties, the suspension begins to “psych out” ... Of course, the situation can be leveled,. But stockpiles for Hyundai are not cheap, and not everyone wants to incur additional expenses in this way.

delam conclusions

As you can see, a vivid example of the fact that twin cars can hide a lot of surprises and in fact turn out to be not as similar as it seems.

And yet, what to choose - Ceed or i30? KIA with a Japanese accent is suitable for young people and for people who expect to get a portion of adrenaline behind the wheel. But Hyundai, which borrowed seriousness from the Germans, is waiting for pedantic and reasonable drivers. Also keep in mind that Sid will save money, while "Ai" may require additional infusions.

Before comparing direct competitors Kia Sid and Hyundai i30, some statistics and information for reflection. Interestingly, the promotion and sale of these cars on Russian market carried out by different companies. This emphasizes the real competition not only of models, but also of management. In this situation the most important advantage Korean hatchback can be considered that its assembly is carried out at the Kaliningrad Avtotor, which undoubtedly gives a lot of advantages to pricing.

If we evaluate the sales statistics of the first "post-crisis" 2009, we can not without surprise note that almost four times more seeds were sold: Kia sold 18,943 copies against 4,774 from Hyundai. So let's compare these two, no doubt similar car, and try to find the reason why motorists gave such a clear preference to one of them.

First impression

To make the comparison as objective as possible, we take cars in the maximum configuration. For Hyundai i30 it's Style, for Kia cee'd Premium. Appearance of both cars are quite attractive. Despite the common platform, there are a number of differences that cannot be passed by. For example, with regard to side glazing, the seat in front of the front door has a triangular section that is prone to fogging in the cold season. It cannot be said that this nuance greatly affects visibility, but it can cause some discomfort.

The interiors of both cars are made in a modern style, have a pleasant look. It's immediately noticeable when the two cars are side by side that the i30's interior has Asian flair, while the cee'd exhibits a certain European restraint. In both compared cars, ergonomics are at the level, excellent landing geometry. The front panel is made of high-quality materials, and the instrument cluster has an attractive appearance. The ability to customize modes for steering is present in both cars, but only Sid can boast of a heated steering wheel.

Equipment

In terms of additional features pleasantly surprised Kia Sid. This modern system, allowing access to the car interior without a key, a start / stop button, the presence of a rear-view camera and a system automatic parking. Besides that, it's wonderful a roof with a panoramic view with electric shutter. As a bonus, there is an excellent built-in navigation system with Russian language and a large display. Basic equipment There are six airbags.

All this, except for the same number of airbags, the i30 cannot offer. In contrast, there are electrically adjustable front seats (in Kia, the adjustment is only mechanical). Hyundai also lacks armrests with cup holders for rear passengers (in Side they have not been forgotten).

Platform

Both cars are built on a modern C class platform, providing independent suspension. Rear axle built on multi-link suspension providing better controllability. Engines are offered in the range from 90 to 135 forces with distributed fuel injection, ensuring compliance with EURO-4 standards. Both cars have 6-speed transmissions, both manual and automatic. The sporty character of both cars can be emphasized by floor-mounted gas pedals, which Sid even has a metal lining. Despite this, one cannot say about the excessive aggressiveness of both machines. The movement is smooth, predictable, the cabin is comfortable in both cars. An additional advantage of Sid is the presence of paddle shifters, which can be used if you need to quickly switch to manual transmission control mode.

IN Kia comparison cee'd vs Hyundai i30 I would like to note a softer, one might even say too soft suspension at Sid. This provides comfort at the highest level, but with waves the stern begins to swing a little, which makes it difficult to accurately enter the turn. In addition, on high speeds in turn, the demolition of the front axle is possible. With such a danger, the stabilization system works and aligns the car. By driving performance and handling i30 reminds cee'd. But his suspension is stiffer, although this had almost no effect on comfort. But handling has improved slightly, especially when entering a turn at high speed.

conclusions

In general, we can conclude that the advantage of the i30 is better handling. But the huge plus of cee'd is his rich equipment and saturation with various pleasant "buns". At the same time, prices for maximum configuration both cars are almost the same. What should buyers choose - comfort and equipment, or slightly better handling, which fans of high-speed driving will appreciate, and even then not in all conditions? Surely the question belongs to the category of rhetorical ones, because the market votes with a wallet, and we see which side the majority of votes turned out to be on.

For greater clarity, we summarize the main technical characteristics of both cars in a comparative table.

Comparable characteristic		Kia cee'd	Hyundai i30
body type		5 door hatchback
Base		2 650 mm
Length		4 310 mm	4 300 mm
Height		1470 mm
Width		1 780 mm
Clearance (ground clearance)		141 mm	137 mm
Full mass		1 850 kg
Trunk (with unfolded backs)		380 (1 318) l	378 (1 316) l
Drive unit		front
pendants	anterior	independent McPherson, spring
	rear	independent multi-link, spring
Fuel consumption	city	9.5 l
	track	5.2 l
	mixed	6.8 l

Korean automakers have already reached a completely new, high level, and are starting to compete with each other. Today we will compare Kia Sid and Hyundai i30 - the flagship models of their concerns.

Kia Sid is a famous Korean car, which, according to European standards, is classified as a C-segment, appeared on the world market in 2006. It was first presented at the Paris auto show, and company representatives immediately stated that the car was developed specifically for Europe.

By May 2006, more than 200,000 copies of the model had been produced. The car was in good demand, but most motorists were not enthusiastic about the high cost of LED. By the way, in 2009 the model went through a restyling.

In 2012, mass production of the second generation LED started, which, by the way, was eventually recognized as one of the safest in the segment.

Hyundai i30 is a popular Korean compact car based on one modular platform with his today's counterpart. The debut of the model took place at the Geneva Motor Show. Initially, the car was assembled at a recently opened plant in Nošovice, Czech Republic, later production processes partially moved to China. By the way, in terms of security, the debut version of the Ai30 was seriously inferior to the Kia Sid.

In 2011 on car showroom In Frankfurt, the long-awaited premiere of the second generation AI30 took place, which immediately became one of the best-selling models on the European market.

Hyundai i30 or Kia Ceed - which is better? Since none of the cars have yet achieved any significant awards, at this point the most logical result would be a draw.

Appearance

Purely visually, outwardly, both cars have a lot in common. But, in terms of style, they are made in different ways. In the exterior of Sid, dynamism and purposefulness are visible, which are perfectly combined with Asian conciseness and minimalism. The i30 can be observed quite practical appearance, even more concise than its counterpart, but noticeably more aggressive.

Now everything is in order. Design and layout windshield, as well as the hood, both models are almost the same, which cannot be said about the elements of the bow. If Sid has a compact grille and stylish oblong headlights, then the i30 is equipped with a huge false radiator grille and ax-shaped LED headlights.

The lower part of the bumper in both cars is also noticeably different. Sid has a trapezoidal air intake and huge foglights here, which contrasts strongly with the very narrow air intake of the i30 and the same fog lights.

From the side, the cars are similar, but the Ai30 has a more prominent profile part, and the wheel arches are more voluminous compared to the opponent. Behind, with the exception of some nuances, the cars are also very similar.

Given the many common points in the exterior of cars, we will award a draw here.

Salon

In comparing the interiors of both cars, I would like to give the advantage to the i30 interior. Why is that? Firstly, Kia designers decided to combine European and Asian traditions in interior decoration car, and, frankly, they did not succeed, but the i30 looks harmonious and appropriate.

Secondly, more than quality materials finishes and it seems cozier and more spacious.

Specifications

To compare the "stuffing" of today's opponents, we chose the restyled versions of the 2017 models, the role power units which perform 1.4-liter gasoline engines. It is worth noting right away that cars are very demanding on the fuel poured into them, so it is advisable to use 95th gasoline. Among other common points, I would like to note the front-wheel drive "trolley" and a six-speed manual.

As for the motors themselves, they produce the same power - 100 Horse power. However, due to the fact that Sid is 68 kg lighter than his opponent, he is more dynamic. For example, to accelerate a car from zero to a hundred, it takes 12.7 seconds, which is half a second faster than its counterpart. However, in terms of the situation is almost equal - 6.1 liters against 6.2 liters, in favor of the i30.

As for the dimensions, there are no surprises here. The body of Sid is only 10 mm longer than its current competitor, but at the same time, the height of both cars is the same - 1470 mm. The same situation with the size of the wheelbase - 2650 mm and ground clearance - 150 mm. Also, each of the cars is equipped with 15-inch wheels.

Price

The average cost of Hyundai Ai30 2017 in Russia is 850,000 rubles. , in turn, will cost 30 thousand rubles cheaper. In principle, even at this point, one can state the permanent equality of both models.

Today, no one needs to be told that the Hyundai i30 hatchback debuted on the Russian market at the wrong time - just at the peak of the crisis. However, no crisis prevented the related KIA cee'd from entering the twenty best-selling cars(13th place among all cars and 4th in the golf class) and far ahead of his twin brother. Mainly due to more affordable price, because the differences between these cars are minimal. Let's talk about them.

But before proceeding to a direct comparison, it is worth noting that independent representative offices are engaged in the sale and promotion of the Hyundai and KIA brands in Russia. This means that in Russia both of these related models really compete. The main trump card of KIA is the local assembly established at the Kaliningrad Avtotor.

The Russian registration is a good help in the struggle for a place in the sun, as evidenced by the sales statistics for 2009. If Hyundai30 was sold with a total circulation of 4,774 copies, then Seeds were sold 4 times more - 18,943 cars! This indicator is better than that of Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer or Mazda 3. But when KIA cee'd debuted on the Russian market in 2007, it seemed that these hyped models could not be bypassed.

However, in the case of the Hyundai i30, everything is also not so bad, especially when compared with the performance of the VW Golf, which is still at the rear of the class named after itself. Over the past year, only 3,211 were sold (of which 1,519 are in the sixth generation). But the most popular Golfs (1.6, 102 hp) are assembled in Russia. Does not help!

What's new?

The updated KIA cee'd appeared in showrooms on March 1, 2010, almost a year after the debut of the i30 platform. So far, dealers and buyers are still just swaying, trying to figure out how this car differs from its predecessor. Let's try to figure it out.

Today cee'd is available only in the body " five-door hatchback” and “station wagon” (known as cee’d_sw) and only with a 1.6-liter engine (126 hp), which has undergone an upgrade to the exhaust system and fuel injection. The pro_cee'd three-door hatchback, beloved by many, will go on sale a little later. Probably, other engines will appear at the same time (1.4 l / 109 hp and 2.0 l / 143 hp).

From the aesthetic side, the facelift was successful. Having corrected the muzzle of the car in the corporate style of Schreyer Line (see the radiator grille), the designers did not forget, as is customary today, to slightly change the contours of the rear and front optics, to integrate "turn" repeaters into side mirrors, add some new colors for the bodywork. By the way, the foglights were made rectangular, while Mazda and Honda, updating their models, did exactly the opposite. In general, the modernized "Sid" has become a little fresher and more modern, although it is still easily recognized.

The interior has changed more significantly. Firstly, they redrawn the center console pretty much - fortunately, for the better. It has become not only more convenient, but also more pleasing to the eye. Secondly, they put in a new, conventionally four-spoke steering wheel with a metal insert and special tides for a more comfortable grip - by the way, these have been put on the Civic for a long time. Thirdly, for expensive versions, the Supervision optitron instrument panel with a graphic display is now available, which displays information about the reserve, average and instantaneous fuel consumption, distance traveled and travel time, as well as average speed. Yes, and the standard instrument panel no longer frightens with a vigorous orange backlight - like on others KIA models, it is now red, and even with improved graphics. Another innovation is that dual-zone climate control is now available as an option.

Those who choose a car with mechanical box, they will note that the gearshift lever was modernized, getting rid of one of the few "collective farms". A ring that previously had to be lifted to turn on reverse gear, replaced with a convenient key.

Actually, there are very few technical changes, although they still exist. Basically, these changes are in the line of comfort and, in particular, the suspension. Its operating range has been increased by reinforced springs with reduced lateral deformation and increased coil pitch, as well as new shock absorbers with a modified damping characteristic. Now additional comfort when driving on roads of varying quality is provided by silent blocks of a new design, which made it possible to reduce the transmission of vibration and shock to the body.

Soundproofing has also been upgraded. Acoustic comfort in the cabin made it possible to increase the additional sound insulation of the partition of the engine compartment and wheel arches, as well as new, less noisy Silica tires.

As noted above, due to the modernization fuel system slightly increased engine power - from 122 to 126 hp Unfortunately, as before, this unit is paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or an ancient and inefficient 4-speed automatic.

On the KIA website, you can read that the restyled car received several new options, including: 1) an ingenious system that synchronizes the operation of traction control and electric power steering, 2) a kick-down mode switch, 3) a hill start assist system, 4) automatic mode of the turning system. Perhaps, in the full sense, only the “assistant on the rise” can be considered options (for cars on the handle, the thing is relevant) and a new algorithm for the steering column switch. Those who have driven modern BMWs will immediately understand what I'm talking about. One short touch is all it takes to trigger a series of three flashes of the direction indicators. At first, it is unusual and uncomfortable, but when you get used to it, you will like it.

Comparison and evaluation

Generally speaking, this couple is similar as two types of beer - Czech and Slovak (cee'd for Europe is collected just in Slovakia). Or like two hockey teams from the same countries. The body shape, dimensions are almost identical, but the i30 surprisingly resembles the BMW 1 series. It seems that only the lazy did not hint at this - which means it really is so! Therefore, perhaps, Hyundai looks a little better.

As for the interior, before this current redesign, the Sid was losing on the inside as well. Well, really, you look inside - and a good impression of the car instantly dissipates. Now it's not like that. Cee'd has been refined so much that even the far from uniform quality of materials (as it used to be) is not so conspicuous. And if you do not skimp on the configuration! And if you take the version with optitronny tidy and dual-zone climate!..

By the way, for cee "d, despite all its European gloss, the Japanese card is being played. Colored instruments a la Lexus, a Honda-like steering wheel in appearance and tactile sensations, a center console in the spirit of Nissan. On the contrary, the i30 gravitates towards the Germans - this is such a paraphrase of the previous Golf. Similar details - darkness. Here, at least, blue backlight, which was so scolded, the Koreans like it. Or dashboard- two large and two small dials and excellent readability without any embellishments. The information display in the center of the console is arranged in the signature Volkswagen-Skoda style. Another example - to open the trunk, you need to pull the handle in the form of a company emblem ...

But on the go, neither the Japanese nor the Germans, the Korean duet is not yet up to par. Especially - in versions with an "automatic", which blunts at the most necessary moment, and shoots when it is no longer needed. That is why, probably, a KIA employee in a private conversation, when asked which cars they take more often - with mechanics or with an “automatic”, mumbled something unintelligible in response.

Of course, if the car is made with an eye on Europe, where only 10% of buyers choose versions with automatic transmission, the Koreans should not strain. But then you should not complain about the fact that some of the buyers were not counted. After all, not a single person in their right mind will buy a Hyundai i30 or KIA cee'd on the machine.

The irony is that cee'd does it just fine. Those who choose this car, lack of sane automatic transmission doesn't float at all. This car was originally made more sporty, driver's. Well, like the previous Mazda 3. "Clamped" suspension, hard tires and unfinished sound insulation - this is the portrait of the previous "Sid" in a nutshell.

The new cee'd has not lost many of these qualities. At a speed of over 80, the steering wheel still fills with heaviness and informative effort, heels less, but the joints are felt sharper. That's just the soundproofing has really tightened up - now it's no noisier here than in Hyundai. And in general, the updated KIA cee "d has become closer to the i30 - primarily in terms of comfort.

The i30 was originally conceived to be thinner, more intelligent, and quieter. The Hyundai / Kia concern tried to dilute soplatform cars into different market niches: Hyundai should be addressed to those who value comfort (that is, women and mature people), and Cee’d should be left to lovers of “hot”. That's why you won't find the i30 three-door - here the main competitor of pro_cee'd was and remains Opel Astra GTS. But Hyundai sane automatic transmission oh how lacking ...

In conclusion, a few words about the configurations.

Cars in similar versions are equipped - about the same. Each of them has an armrest, heated seats, ABS, 4 airbags, an immobilizer and an alarm system, as well as a music system with 6 speakers and an integrated USB input.

The differences are in the nuances. So, since cee'd can be equipped with dual-zone climate control (it is reserved for expensive trim levels), in the Comfort version only air conditioning is available, while in the i30 it is replaced by a full-fledged climate control, albeit not a two-zone one. Sid did not count in this version and the rear armrest, which the twin brother can boast of. But KIA in the Comfort version has a turn signal repeater on the side mirrors and ESP in its arsenal.

The cost of an i30 with a 1.6 liter engine (1.6 5MT Comfort) will be 639,900, but cars of 2009 are now sold at a price of 589,900. In the market, its Korean competitor brother turned out to be more expensive again.

More about ceed packages

Learn more about i30 trim levels

Comparison of the main characteristics

Parameters	Hyundai i30	KIA Cee'd
Number of doors/seats
Length, mm
Width, mm
Height, mm
Wheel base, mm
Curb weight, kg
Trunk volume, l.
Engine, type, volume, number of cylinders	Petrol, with distributed injection, 1.6 liters, 4 cylinders in a row	Petrol, with distributed injection 1.6 liters, 4 cylinders in a row
Power, torque (at rpm)	122 (6200) / 154 (4200)	126 (6200) / 154 (4200)
Acceleration dynamics up to 100 km/h
Maximum speed, km/h
Transmission		mechanical, five-speed (automatic, four-speed)
	Front	Front
Fuel consumption: city/highway/combined	8/5,2/6,2 (9/5,7/6,9)	7,8 /5,3/6,1 (8,3/5,7/6,6)
Suspension front/rear		Independent, MacPherson strut / Multi-link
Fuel tank capacity, l.
Cost, thousand rubles	From 533,900 (for a promotion -503,900)*
Sales for 2009, pieces
	Czech Republic, Nosovitsa	Russia, Avtotor (Kaliningrad)

*Version 1.4 MT Classic. The minimum cost of a car with a 1.6 liter engine (1.6 5MT Comfort) will be 639,900 (for a promotion - 589,900).

** In the near future, buyers will be able to choose from 16 configurations at a price of 525,900 rubles (with a 1.4 engine).

Ceed and Hyundai i30 are like two from a chest. From face two Korean car although they are not the same, the rest of the similarities between them are much greater than the differences. And how else, when both cars have a common platform and exactly the same line of powertrains. So, by and large, the Koreans offer us one car, but under different wrappers. The scheme, by the way, they tested not only The same situation with crossovers, which also have a common base and common engines.

However, thanks to the external mind Kia Ceed and i30 are perceived as absolutely different cars. Recently, cars from Kia are increasingly referred to as the Korean Volkswagen. And in this case, this is not a reproach for some kind of similarity, but the most praise. After all, fifteen years ago, cars from Kia were absolutely uninteresting in terms of design, they were drawn from them for a mile away. And not sensual and impetuous, but boring and faceless. With the arrival of Peter Schreyer at Kia, everything changed. The German specialist led the design team of the Korean company, after which Kia cars acquired their own expressive face. Former inexpressiveness is a thing of the past, and it was replaced by well-adjusted lines and excellent European design. Close, for example, on Kia Ceed and show the hatchback to a person far from automotive world by asking him to identify the country of origin of the vehicle. Most will probably assume that Ceed comes from Germany or Italy.

If the same experiment is done with the i30, then instead of the names of European countries, we will most likely hear about Japan and Korea. Hyundai designers, unlike their colleagues from Kia, decided not to become like Europeans, but to rely on traditional Asian values. And if in the first Generation Hyundai i30 looked quite modest, then the Korean hatchback, and he saw the light in 2012, looks just gorgeous. Huge radiator screen with wide cross bars, stylish slanting front optics, embossed body sidewalls and nice rear lights- Hyundai designers did a great job.

The designers of the two Korean companies chose a different approach when working on the interior of their creations. In the Hyundai i30, the driver sees in front of him wheel with four spokes and a combination of devices in two deep "wells".

Hyundai i30 interior

In Kia Ceed, everything is different - the driver has a three-spoke steering wheel in his hands, which, however, looks more solid than sporty, and the instrument cluster is hidden not in two identical, but in three “wells”. Moreover, the speedometer occupies a dominant position here. In the Hyundai i30, the scales of the tachometer and speedometer are the same size. And in general, the mood inside the two Korean hatchbacks is completely different. If in the Hyundai i30 the center console is symmetrical, then in the Kia Ceed it is turned towards the driver. And it is precisely because of this that the driver feels very comfortable and protected inside the Ceed. In the Hyundai i30, this feeling is no longer there.

Interior korean kia seed

It makes little sense to compare two related cars in terms of the quality of the finishing materials used in them. The difference, if any, is at the level of nuances. In both hatchbacks, you can find relatively inexpensive interior plastic if you wish, but in those places that are directly accessible to the driver and front passenger, the finishing materials are really good. Ergonomics in the Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed are also good. Although small comments can be made to each of the cars. In the Hyundai i30, many will certainly be annoyed by the too bright blue illumination of the instrument cluster and displays on the center console. In Kia Ceed, the color scheme chosen to illuminate displays, scales and keys does not raise questions, but large A-pillars with triangular sectors are already straining. Visibility in turns because of them clearly suffers. But that's the price you pay for a stylish look.

Passengers in the second row of seats will be satisfied. Both Korean hatchbacks delight with optimal seating geometry and ample space. If necessary, even three can be seated back. Comfort, of course, will decrease, but 300-400 kilometers can be driven in this composition. It is also important that the transmission tunnel in the Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30 is practically absent, so that a passenger who has to sit in the center will be quite comfortable. Trunks in Ceed and Hyundai i30 are the same - 380 and 378 liters, respectively. Well, the difference of a couple of liters can be attributed to the peculiarities of the methods for measuring the volume of two companies or the tricks of marketers. Two technically identical cars should differ at least in some way. Exactly the same situation, by the way, with the dimensions of Ceed and Hyundai i30. In length, hatchbacks differ by an elusive 10 millimeters - 4300 for the Hyundai i30 and 4310 for the Kia Ceed.

rear seats in Hyundai hatchback i30

Specifications Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed

In the base under the hood, both cars will have a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. Its 100 "horses" in combination with a manual gearbox, and no other can be combined with this power unit, is enough only for leisurely movement. With a simultaneous start, Kia Ceed will reach the mark of one hundred kilometers per hour a little earlier. If he needs 12.8 seconds for this, then the Hyundai i30 will do the same exercise in 13.2 seconds. In order to explain this difference, it is enough to compare the masses of cars in the same trim levels. Kia Ceed (1258 kilograms) is slightly lighter than the Hyundai i30 (1306 kilograms), respectively, and its dynamics, other things being equal, is a little better. But how then to explain the fact that the heavier Hyundai i30 is more economical? In the city, he needs 7.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers traveled. Kia Ceed will spend 8.1 liters to overcome the same distance.

Video: Big test drive (video version): KIA Ceed

Another engine installed on the Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30, with a volume of 1.6 liters, develops 130 “horses”. And this is a much more preferable option for most motorists. And it's not just about better dynamics(10.5 and 10.9 seconds for the Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed, respectively), but also in the fact that this power unit can be paired not only with a manual gearbox, but also with an “automatic”. With him, of course, both Korean hatchbacks require a little more fuel. In the urban cycle, the Hyundai i30, for example, will consume 9.1 l/100 km, while the Kia Ceed will spend 9.5 l/100 km.

Whether to be guided by these digits at a choice of the concrete car? Hardly. It is possible to notice a difference of a few tenths of a second, which, moreover, is obtained with the most intense acceleration, only with the help of special devices. In real conditions, it will not be at all. Much more important will be the skill of the driver, the presence of passengers and cargo in the trunk. The same situation is with fuel consumption. A difference of three to four hundred grams per hundred kilometers is nothing. In addition, it is possible that two related companies managed it only in order to somehow part the cars in different corners.

Video: Big test drive (video version): Hyundai i30

In the European market, by the way, other engines are also offered for Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30. But apparently the Koreans sensibly reasoned that turbodiesels 1.4 WGT (90 horsepower) and 1.6 VGT (110 and 128 "horses") in our market will not be in special demand. It is in Europe that diesel hatchbacks do not have a soul, but we still prefer cars with simple atmospheric gasoline engines. Apparently for this reason, and hatchbacks with gasoline engine 1.6 GDI (135 horsepower) is not offered with us.

However, even with a very modest line of power Kia units Ceed and Hyundai i30 effortlessly occupy the top positions in terms of sales in their class. Both cars are offered for quite reasonable money, offering good driving performance, stylish appearance and spacious salon. Making a choice between Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30 is actually very simple. The technical specifications of both cars are almost the same, so it all comes down to personal tastes in design. And which one do you like better?