Comparison Test: Kia Cerato GT vs Toyota Corolla vs i30 N-Line vs VW Golf vs Focus ST-Line

It's hard to find a bad small car in 2019, and we've assembled some of the best small cars you can buy for under $30k. So in this comparison test we have the 2019 Kia Cerato GT, the 2019 Toyota Corolla ZR, the 2019 Hyundai i30 N-Line, the 2019 VW Golf 110TSI Comfortline and the brand new 2019 Ford Focus ST-Line. Which small car will win? Let's find out.

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[anniemarie]

i've had the cerato gt sedan for a few weeks now and it's honestly the best car i've driven. it looks amazing and actually feels super powerful. can't really say too much about fuel economy yet as i'm not even a 1/4 of the way through my second tank, but my first tank averaged about 10-11L/100km (only because i was playing with the sport mode and trying out all the different settings) and so far in my second tank i'm sitting around 6.2-8L/100km so it's definitely looking good. can't beat the 7 year warranty (which actually gets upgraded to 10 if you do all your services through kia), and also the on road costs being included makes a massive difference in price compared to competitors. might have to stick with kia from now on because i'm really impressed so far

[DiHandley]

It’s the Kia Cerato GT for me. It’s not actually a hot hatch....but bloody hell its not far off it. I’ve driven all of them, and the Kia wins in nearly every way. Plus a 7 year warranty. Tick, tick, tick. 😀👍

[riod]

I have been a driver of Japanese car for a very long time, but recently have changed to Korean car..which is the KIA Cerato GT...man I am so impressed with the price range of this car ( around $ 30k and all the kits included, plus 7-year unlimited warranty), I couldn't be much happier. I have been driving this car for 2 months now.

[CheapCheerful]

Editing error at 12:20 which misleads. Presenter is talking about the Ford Focus, then we cut to the next review with the presenter immediately saying 'and if you liked that, the Cerato GT has exactly the same drivetrain'. Clearly the Cerato review should have followed the i30, not the Ford Focus which has an entirely different drivetrain.

[surfman]

Golf. Benchmark for journalists. Disaster for ownership

[magicentro]

I'd say this review will be the first and only that criticizes the rear seat of the Cerato GT.

[tano]

Factual error: actually the cerato GT DOES have a height adjustable front passenger seat. Trust me; i know -- I have one parked in my garage.
Only 1000 km on it but i have already got low 6's on the highway. And it goes (a lot) better than any car I've owned (and considering I've owned 5 different 6 cylinder cars including an ex police car, that's no small achievement out of 1.6 litres).

[radissimo]

1 Cerato GT
2 i30 N line
3 Focus ST line
4 Corolla
5 Golf

[KillcamzAu]

N line all day. don’t need premium unless you got the cash but for the $30k mark it definitely takes the cake

[philippluklas]

Toyota - CVT - OUT
VW - freaking boring and worst quality together with the Ford - OUT
Hyundai - no speaker system with more than 4 speakers - OUT
--> I would have a hard time deciding between the Ford and the KIA. I cannot believe the Ford's fuel consumption is as low as stated. Awesome driving apparently and I have heard that the B&O is best in class. The KIA on the other end probably turns out to be the better buy after 5 years, when the Ford starts making trouble. Not sure about Ford quality these days. In terms of looks, I prefer the exterior of the Ford and the interior of the KIA. Good I don't need to make a decision today. Will drive my 316ti till it falls apart (which could be any day at 220k km, but it could also last another 150)

[malcolmscott]

Great review Nathan and so pleased Focus prevails but gee this class has some big improvements across particularly Corolla and Kia. Focus should be up with imminent new Mazda 3 in sales charts and Focus vs new dumpily styled - that C pillar - 3 hatch will be a great review to come.

[TheHayabusa]

Why the ratcheting arm rest comment on the Golf?? Does this add to the overall comfort?? Its either up or down!

[jasonhelmes]

One of the best presenters I've watched well done mate for not waffling on

[LincolnRobinson]

Best back seat review. Very helpful information!

[Steven_Rowe]

Buying any car is difficult because it is both a subjective decision and also a objective one also.
I have just recently bought a ZR Corolla which I will get in around a month.
Many cars I looked at from just reviews.
The two cars I liked were the Corolla and the new Mazda hatch.
I did test drive the Cerato GT and its appeal to me was the 1.6 turbo with 150kw plus max torque from 1500 to 4500 rpm.

I also thought the golf was good for similar reasons.
I culled the turbos as both VW and kia have high service costs.
This left me with Mazda and Corolla.
Personally I like the Toyota better for looks and that is purely subjective.
Im no power freak and I thought 125KW for the Corolla is good enough for me.
The Mazda is only 114kw or you could get the 2.5 Mazda which costs much more
In the end the Toyota with its renowned reliability and low running costs won out.
A Corolla costs $875 for servicing over 5years.
The Cerato cost $3250 for 5 years.
Being practical you don't buy small cars if you want to carry adults in the back, also the Corolla boot is small.
Seeing as its only my wife and I this car suits us.
If the wife had preferred the Mazda I would have been happy with that also.
Its all about being objective and subjective so really there is no best car that 100% of small car buyers would buy.

[reko]

Nice Review. Can't wait till you guys get your hands on the new Mazda3

[scottbennett]

9.4L/100 for the Kia? Yikes! That's getting into dual cab 4x4 territory. Also the weirdest looking car of the bunch. Rear indicators are placed in an odd position.
Focus would be the best looking of the bunch. Don't mind the look of the N line either.

[meganjay]

My god VW looks dated... Look at that golf..

[mc]

I own the current gen i30 Elite but man the ST-Line is looking hot, the 3 cylinder thrum sounds great too combined with that really versatile 8spd which reminds me of the ZF, although not quite there.

[jay-uobi]

Getting Cerato GT. Also, Cerato actually has an improved 1.6Turbo that is superior to the i30's with a new pressurized cooling system, the higher compression ratio of 10, electronically actuated wastegate, and a new ECU (CPEGD2.20.3). Which in return provides better fuel economy and torque lower down and for longer in the RPM range. These are car journalists and should know this.