A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
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Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
i30
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Polo
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
i30
Polo
Model Introduced Year
2007
2018
Generation
Third generation i30 on Hyundai's i-GMP-derived platform; the N Performance uses a more heavily engineered chassis with limited-slip differential and performance suspension
Sixth generation Polo on MQB-A0 platform
Facelift Launched Since
2017
2022
Tare Mass Kg
1285 kg
1247 kg
Facelift History
Not confirmed
Facelift in 2022 with updated tech and styling
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Body Style
Not confirmed
Hatchback
Color Note
Not confirmed
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note
Not confirmed
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
Not confirmed
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
Model Year
Not confirmed
Current
Production Status
Not confirmed
published
Segment
Not confirmed
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
Hatchback
Spec
i30
Polo
Length
4340 mm
4074 mm
Width
1795 mm
1751 mm
Height
1455 mm
1431 mm
Wheelbase
2650 mm
2549 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
135 mm
133 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
40 l
Boot/Cargo Space
395 l
305 l
Kerb Weight
1285 kg
1247 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Not confirmed
1780 kg
Minimum Turning Radius
Not confirmed
10.6 m
Spec
i30
Polo
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Standard
Power Windows
All
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Yes
Not Available
Push Button Start
Yes
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
Electric Sunroof
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
No
Not Available
Auto Dimming Mirror
No
-
Rear Window Defroster
Yes
-
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Yes
-
12V Accessory Socket
12V
Standard
AC Type
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Standard
Boot Opener
Inside
-
Door Ajar Warning
Yes
-
Electric Folding Mirrors
Yes
-
Engine Check Warning
Yes
-
Engine Start Stop
Yes
Not Available
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
Not Available
Front Armrest
Yes
Centre console
Front Power Outlet
Yes
Standard
Fuel Lid Opener
Inside
-
Headlamp Height Adjust
Manual
-
Headlamp Washer
No
-
Power Mirrors
Yes
-
Push Button Start
Yes
Not Available
Rear Reading Lamps
Yes
-
Service Reminder
Yes
-
Spare Wheel
Steel
Not Available
Tachometer
Yes
-
Telescopic Steering
No
-
Tilt Steering
Yes
-
Trip Computer
Yes
-
Vanity Mirror
Yes
-
Air Conditioning
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Standard
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rim Size
17-inch Alloy
Not Available
Sound System
8 Bose Premium
Not Available
Unlocking
Yes
Not Available
Wireless Charger
Yes
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not confirmed
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
305 l
Climate Zones
Not confirmed
Standard
Fuel Consumption Combined
Not confirmed
5.3
Multi Function Steering
Not confirmed
Standard
Skid Plates
Not confirmed
Not Available
Battery Preconditioning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Bed Extender
Not confirmed
Not Available
Canopy Fitment
Not confirmed
Not Available
Centre Console
Not confirmed
Standard
Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Difflock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Intelligent Battery System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Light
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not confirmed
Not Available
Manual Aircon
Not confirmed
Standard
One Pedal Driving
Not confirmed
Not Available
Power Socket 12v
Not confirmed
Standard
Rear Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
Not confirmed
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not confirmed
Not Available
Source Model Column
Not confirmed
polo
Sports Bar
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Trim Level
Not confirmed
flagship
Variant Role
Not confirmed
Performance-focused derivative
Vehicle To Grid
Not confirmed
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
i30
Polo
Engine
1-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
998 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
3
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
88 kW @ 5500 rpm
147 kW
Maximum Torque
172 Nm @ 1500 rpm
320 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
7-Speed DCT
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
190 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
10.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
68.5 kW/tonne
117.9 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
133.9 Nm/tonne
256.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
i30
Polo
Engine Position
Front
-
Gearbox
7-speed DCT Dual Clutch
DCT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
4x2
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
Manual
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Manual
DCT
Transfer Case
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Clutch Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Not confirmed
DCT
Drivetrain
Not confirmed
4x2
4WD Engagement
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Differential Type Front
Not confirmed
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not confirmed
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
i30
Polo
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
18.9 km/l
City Mileage
13.5 km/l
15.2 km/l
Highway Mileage
20.0 km/l
22.3 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
40 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Not Applicable
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Fuel Tank Litres
50
40
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
16.9 km/l
18.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
i30
Polo
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Not Available
Traction Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Not Available
Brake Assist
Yes
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Available
Central Locking
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Not Available
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
-
BA
Yes
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Yes
Not Available
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Available
Stability Control
Yes
Not Available
TCS
Yes
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Standard
AEB
No
Not Available
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not confirmed
Not Available
Hill Hold
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Not confirmed
Not Available
Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Not confirmed
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
i30
Polo
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Auto Wipers
No
Not Available
Eco Mode
Yes
-
EV Mode
No
Not Available
Sport Mode
No
-
360 Degree Camera
Not confirmed
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not confirmed
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Not confirmed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not confirmed
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Reversing Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
i30
Polo
Seat Material
Leather-Look
Cloth
Seat Adjustment
Power Driver
-
Heated Seats
Front
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Applicable
Steering Type
Electric
Standard
Steering Adjustment
Tilt & Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Applicable
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
-
Front Armrest
Yes
Centre console
Rear Armrest
No
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Standard
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
-
Cooled Seats
No
-
Fabric Seats
Yes
Cloth
Front Headrest
Yes
-
Leather Seats
No
-
Memory Seats
No
-
Rear Headrest
Yes
-
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Interior Colour Options
Not confirmed
Black
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Not confirmed
Digital cockpit, infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, quality cabin materials
Interior Trim Colour
Not confirmed
Black
Floor Mats
Not confirmed
Standard
Interior Colours
Not confirmed
Black
Seat Trim
Not confirmed
Cloth
Spec
i30
Polo
Infotainment System
10.25-inch Touchscreen
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Not Available
Android Auto
Yes
Not Available
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Not Available
Number of Speakers
8 Bose Premium
Not Available
Navigation System
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch Digital Cluster
Not Applicable
USB Ports
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
Not Available
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Not Available
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Not Available
FM Radio
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
AUX Input
Yes
-
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Infotainment Display
Touchscreen
-
Rear Usb
Yes
-
Audio Speakers
8 Bose Premium
Not Available
Infotainment Screen Size
Not confirmed
SYNC
Infotainment Screen
Not confirmed
SYNC
Connected Services
Not confirmed
SYNC
Touchscreen
Not confirmed
SYNC
Spec
i30
Polo
LED Headlamps
Full LED
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Not Available
Fog Lamps
LED
Not Available
Roof Rails
No
Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design
17-inch Alloy
-
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Wing Mirror Type
Power Adjustable
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Coloured
-
Body Type
Hatchback
Hatchback
DRL
LED
Not Available
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Led Headlights
Full LED
Not Available
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Not Available
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Front Fog Lamps
LED
Not Available
Headlamps
Full LED
Not Available
Headlight Type
Full LED
Not Available
Headlights
Full LED
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Not confirmed
6
Exterior Colour Options
Not confirmed
6
Load Bed Liner
Not confirmed
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
i30
Polo
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Available
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
Ramp Breakover Angle
20 deg
-
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
135 mm
133 mm
Ground Clearance Min
135 mm
133 mm
Approach Angle
Not confirmed
-
Departure Angle
Not confirmed
-
Wading Depth
Not confirmed
-
Underbody Protection
Not confirmed
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Approach Angle Deg
Not confirmed
-
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
Not Available
Departure Angle Deg
Not confirmed
-
Energy Recovery Display
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Off Road Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
Not confirmed
Not Available
Crawl Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Response System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Underbody Camera
Not confirmed
Not Available
Wading Depth Mm
Not confirmed
-
Spec
i30
Polo
Tyre Size
225/45 R17
Not Available
Wheel Type
17-inch Alloy
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Steel
Not Available
Parking Brake Type
Manual
-
Tyre Load Index
91
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch Alloy
Not Available
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
-
Brake Type Rear
Disc
-
Spare Tyre
Steel
Not Available
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
-
Wheel Diameter
17-inch Alloy
Not Available
Wheels
17-inch Alloy
-
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not confirmed
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Leather Steering Wheel
Not confirmed
Standard
Steering Wheel Trim
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
i30
Polo
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Not Available
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
Standard
Steering Column
Tilt
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
Not Available
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Not Available
Front Track Width
Not confirmed
1501 mm
Rear Track Width
Not confirmed
1484 mm
Spec
i30
Polo
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
4
Not Available
Service Plan Distance
4
Not Available
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
4
Not Available
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
i30
Polo
Warranty Years
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
3 years / 120 000 km
Spec
i30
Polo
CO2 Emissions
117 g/km
121 g/km
Start Stop System
No
-
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Unleaded 95
Petrol
Fuel Evaporation Control
Yes
-
Hybrid System Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Particulate Filter
Not confirmed
Not Available
Idle CO2 Output
Not confirmed
121
CO2 Emissions G Km
Not confirmed
121
Spec
i30
Polo
Ownership Role
Not confirmed
South Africa market model
Price Zar
Not confirmed
585800 ZAR
Pricing Role
Not confirmed
Active local lineup
Starting Price
Not confirmed
585800
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
585800
In depth: how these cars differ
This i30 and Polo comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: i30 39 vs Polo 60.
Efficiency index: i30 66 vs Polo 71.
Safety-equipment index: i30 87 vs Polo 81.
Practicality index: i30 60 vs Polo 55.
Ownership-cover index: i30 65 vs Polo not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Polo leads by 3 points
i30 and Polo are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Polo +21
Efficiency
Polo +5
Safety
i30 +6
Practicality
i30 +5
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Polo
Performance
60/100
Efficiency
71/100
Safety
81/100
Practicality
55/100
i30
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
60/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexVolkswagen Polo
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 63 pts for i30
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Polo leads. However, i30 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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