A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
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.
i30 and X55 Plus are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Recorded price context
i30:
last listed from
ZAR 432,900
·
X55 Plus:
current from
ZAR 429,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
i30
X55 Plus
Maximum Power
i3088 kW @ 5500 rpm
X55 Plus138 kW
Maximum Torque
i30172 Nm @ 1500 rpm
X55 Plus305 Nm
Engine Size
i30998 cc
X55 Plus1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
i3016.9 km/l
X55 Plus12.99 km/l
Ground Clearance
i30135 mm
X55 PlusNot Officially Disclosed
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Hyundai i30
1.0T Fluid
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
i30
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
X55 Plus
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
i30
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
X55 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
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
X55 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2007
2024
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
Current upgraded X55 Plus generation for South Africa, mechanically based around BAIC's Magic Core 1.5T engine, DCT380 seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive.
Facelift History
Third generation launched globally in 2017; N Performance model arrived in SA as a standalone performance derivative; third gen has received ongoing tech updates
The original X55 arrived locally in 2022. BAIC launched the upgraded X55 Plus in August 2024 with revised exterior details, a full-black interior, updated wheel and exhaust treatment, and additional connectivity features.
Facelift Launched Since
2017
2024
Body Style
Hatchback
Five-door compact SUV
Production Status
discontinued
active
Segment
Hatchback
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1285 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Model Year
Not confirmed
2024
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Length
4340 mm
4620 mm
Width
1795 mm
1886 mm
Height
1455 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2650 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
135 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
53 l
Boot/Cargo Space
395 l
350 l
Kerb Weight
1285 kg
1480 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Not Officially Disclosed
1970 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
490 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Air conditioning
Power Windows
All
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
Electric Sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
No
Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror
No
-
Rear Window Defroster
Yes
-
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Yes
-
12V Accessory Socket
12V
-
AC Type
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Air conditioning
Boot Opener
Inside
-
Door Ajar Warning
Yes
-
Electric Folding Mirrors
Yes
-
Engine Check Warning
Yes
-
Engine Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
Standard
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Front Power Outlet
Yes
-
Fuel Lid Opener
Inside
-
Headlamp Height Adjust
Manual
-
Headlamp Washer
No
-
Power Mirrors
Yes
-
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Rear Reading Lamps
Yes
-
Service Reminder
Yes
-
Spare Wheel
Steel
Space-saver spare wheel
Tachometer
Yes
-
Telescopic Steering
No
-
Tilt Steering
Yes
-
Trip Computer
Yes
-
Vanity Mirror
Yes
-
Air Conditioning
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Air conditioning
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Rim Size
17-inch Alloy
18-inch
Sound System
8 Bose Premium
4
Unlocking
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charger
Yes
Not Available
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Engine
1-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
A156T2H
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
998 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
3
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
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
138 kW
Maximum Torque
172 Nm @ 1500 rpm
305 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
FWD
Transmission
7-Speed DCT
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
190 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.8 sec
7.7 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal
Eco, Sport, Comfort, Smart
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
68.5 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
133.9 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
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
X55 Plus
Engine Position
Front
-
Gearbox
7-speed DCT Dual Clutch
7DCT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
FWD
LSD Available
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
Not Officially Disclosed
7
Transmission Type
Manual
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Manual
Dual-clutch
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
Not Officially Disclosed
7
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Claimed Mileage
16.9 km/l
12.99 km/l
City Mileage
13.5 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
20.0 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
53 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VI
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Real-world Mileage
16.9 km/l
12.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
50
53
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Central Locking
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Front Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
-
AEB
No
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
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 Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Auto Wipers
No
Standard
Eco Mode
Yes
-
EV Mode
No
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Sport Mode
No
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Seat Material
Leather-Look
Leather
Seat Adjustment
Power Driver
-
Heated Seats
Front
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Steering Type
Electric
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt & Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Available
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
-
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Rear Armrest
No
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
-
Cooled Seats
No
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
6-way manual
Fabric Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Yes
-
Leather Seats
No
-
Memory Seats
No
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
6-way manual
Rear Headrest
Yes
-
Seat Trim
Not Officially Disclosed
Leather
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Infotainment System
10.25-inch Touchscreen
BAIC DA head unit with radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connection
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
8 Bose Premium
4
Navigation System
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch Digital Cluster
10.25-inch LCD instrument screen
USB Ports
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
Front USB, rear USB and Type-C charging
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
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
4
Infotainment Screen
Not Officially Disclosed
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Touchscreen
Not Officially Disclosed
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
LED Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Roof Rails
No
Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design
17-inch Alloy
-
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Scarlet Red, Krypton Grey, Polar White, Turquoise Blue
Wing Mirror Type
Power Adjustable
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Coloured
-
Body Type
Hatchback
-
DRL
LED
Standard
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Led Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Standard
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Front Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Headlight Type
Full LED
Standard
Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Approach Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Ramp Breakover Angle
20 deg
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance Max
135 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
135 mm
-
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Tyre Size
225/45 R17
225/60 R18
Wheel Type
17-inch Alloy
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Steel
Space-saver spare wheel
Parking Brake Type
Manual
-
Tyre Load Index
91
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch Alloy
18-inch
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
-
Brake Type Rear
Disc
-
Spare Tyre
Steel
Space-saver spare wheel
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
-
Wheel Diameter
17-inch Alloy
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric parking brake
Wheels
17-inch Alloy
-
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson independent suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Multi-link independent suspension
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Steering Column
Tilt
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson independent suspension
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Multi-link independent suspension
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
4
5 Years / 60 000 km
Service Plan Distance
4
5 Years / 60 000 km
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
4
5 Years / 60 000 km
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Warranty Years
5
5 Years / 150 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5
5 Years / 150 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
5 Years / 150 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
5 Years / 150 000 km
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
CO2 Emissions
117 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Start Stop System
No
-
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Unleaded 95
-
Fuel Evaporation Control
Yes
-
Spec
i30
X55 Plus
Ownership Role
Private and family
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Price Zar
468900 ZAR
429900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Historical listed price
Current ex-showroom price
Starting Price
468900
429900
Starting Price Zar
468900
429900
In depth: how these cars differ
This i30 and X55 Plus comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. 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 X55 Plus 62.
Efficiency index: i30 66 vs X55 Plus 53.
Safety-equipment index: i30 84 vs X55 Plus 88.
Practicality index: i30 60 vs X55 Plus 55.
Ownership-cover index: i30 65 vs X55 Plus 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.
Model imagery
i30 and X55 Plus image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
X55 Plus leads by 3 points
i30 and X55 Plus are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
X55 Plus +23
Efficiency
i30 +13
Safety
X55 Plus +4
Practicality
i30 +5
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
X55 Plus
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
55/100
i30
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
60/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC X55 Plus
leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts
vs 62 pts for i30
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X55 Plus 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 Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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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