Until very recently, it was relatively easy to buy a B-segment utility vehicle (Fiesta, Clio, Ibiza) with a budget of around €12,000 and upgrade to a higher class, and buy a C-segment compact (Focus, former Mégane , León) with a budget of over €15,000. But the rise in prices that the market is experiencing, from which the access versions are also disappearing, is wreaking havoc. And today with a budget of €15,000 it is increasingly difficult to find options in the B segment.
Luckily there are always exceptions to prove the rule. And Hyundai continues to have the true anti-crisis compact in its range, the Hyundai i30, which also has micro-hybrid mechanics and an ECO label.
The cheapest compact is available for €16,570 and, if we want it more equipped and with an ECO Label, for €20,645 with 48-volt micro-hybrid mechanics. Now, under what conditions? with what equipment?
The cheapest compact on the market
The Hyundai i30 is currently the cheapest compact (C-segment) on the market. Their rate price is €21,870but it is available with discounts that can make its price stay at €16,570 if we finance with Hyundai (through Cetelem and with a minimum amount of €10,500) and we opt for the promotion that Hyundai calls Renewal Plan, which involves delivering a used vehicle (Under ownership of the buyer for at least 6 months prior to purchase).
It is important to bear in mind that the access version of €16,570, called Essence, is very modest in its equipment, dispensing with some elements that are expected today in a modern car. It is equipped with halogen headlights, 15″ steel wheels, manual climate control and Bluetooth, but it does not have such basic elements as climate control, rear parking sensor or an entertainment system with a screen and Android Auto and CarPlay, for which we will have to go to a higher Klass version, which costs around €2,000 more.
The access version engine is more than correct and sufficient, a 1.5 DPi gasoline, with 110 hp and manual gearbox.
Also in micro-hybrid version
As we were saying, one of the most interesting versions of the Hyundai i30 range is its 48-volt micro-hybrid engine, with 120 horsepower and manual gearbox, which starts at €20,645. It is €4,000 more than the access version, but in addition to the ECO label we have gained a much more complete line of equipment, called KLASS, which includes 16″ alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensor with camera and active guides. and the entertainment system with an 8″ touch screen and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Anti-crisis compacts
The price of the Hyundai i30 is still very competitive, but it is important to mention that this summer it enjoyed even better offers. From January 2022 the i30 could be purchased from €15,520 and from July for €15,820. Since the beginning of the year, the price of the Hyundai i30 in its access version has risen by approximately €1,000.
The only compact on the market whose price is close to that of the Hyundai i30 is the Skoda Scala, which part of the €16,950. For less than €20,000 we can also access a FIAT Type for €17,766still Citroën C4 for €18,940 or yet KIA Ceed for €18,750.
The Dacia Sandero could well be an alternative for many customers, with a price starting at €12,790. But it is important to bear in mind that the Dacia Sandero is in a lower segment, not so much because of equipment or quality, but because it is smaller (almost 30 centimeters shorter) and because of its dimensions and range it would be included in segment B and not in the C segment that the i30 occupies.
Hyundai i30 zero kilometer and second hand
If we are looking for a Hyundai i30 with immediate delivery, kilometer zero can be a good option. On our portal What car did I buy? We have a catalog with dozens of second-hand Hyundai i30 offers. But in the following selection we can see some zero kilometer proposals that, although it is true, have prices similar to those of a new car, they would allow us to have almost immediate delivery.
