Like chalk and cheese: Ian Robertson puts the Hyundai i40 through its paces in a Diesel Car first test
Anyone that underestimates the important of Korean products should take a look at Hyundai’s current line-up. Already unrecogniseable compared to just four years ago, the hugely ambitious Hyundai management team intend to replace and update the entire model line up within two years. The company’s offering in the large car market, up until now been best described as weak, with the Sonata failing to crack the company car market in particular. That is all about to change, as Hyundai’s i40 Tourer arrives in showrooms up and down the country. And it won’t be long to wait until the saloon version arrives either, expected in November.
A quick glance at the i40’s eco-credentials and it sits right at the top of the class – especially in entry-level Blue Drive guise, as tested here. With CO2 emissions at just 113g/km and fuel economy of 65.7mpg in Active trim, only Peugeot’s 508 SW e-HDi is more frugal. Low usage costs are important to both companies and private buyers alike, so not only does the i40 have impressively low insurance ratings, thanks to low speed crash efficiency, there’s also Hyundai’s triple care warranty that covers roadside assistance, annual health checks and of course the impressive unlimited mileage warranty for five years.
Despite a 21bhp deficit in horse power, the cheapest and least powerful of the model range feels barely slower that the 134bhp version, with plenty of oomph from the smooth powerplant. Engine noise is impressively hushed and there’s plenty of urge once you have the turbocharger on song. The six-speed manual gearbox feels a little on the notchy side, but with barely 500 miles on the clock of our test car, this should improve as the miles get piled on. The i40 feels well composed through the bends, with sufficient grip, while the ride comfort is in the main well judged, with the suspension soaking up all but the worst imperfections quite nicely. One fly in the ointment though, is the electrically assisted power steering, which has an unusual, almost artificial feel to it. It’s light enough around town, giving plenty of feel, but feels vaguer as the speed increases.
Cabin space is exceptional, with almost limousine-rivalling legroom in the rear and generous amounts of headroom. Up front, there’s a neatly designed fascia, with soft touch plastics and an overall feeling of solidity. At the business end of the car – the boot – there’s a 553 litres of space with the seats up, and 1,719 litres with the seats folded, while the Tourer boasts the lowest sill height in its class. Sizewise, it’s roughly in line with Ford’s Mondeo – a little larger with the seats up, but a tiny bit smaller with them folded.
With a choice of three trim levels – Active, Style and Premium – manual or automatic gearboxes, with and without Blue Drive, and 1.7-litre CRDi engines in two power outputs, there’s a selection of seven different i40 Tourer models. As you would expect from Hyundai, all models are well kitted out, with standard equipment including alloy wheels, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, front fog lights and automatic headlights, as well as an iPod connection, hill start assist, seven airbags and a leather steering wheel and gearknob.
