7-speed transmission for the diesel is good; nicely styled; spacious inside
Could do with Hyundai’s 2.4-litre petrol engine; sedan could do with a petrol engine variant
It’s mid-life update time for Hyundai’s stylish i40 mid-size sedan and wagon. The revised model lineup gains fresh looks, extra features and a seven-speed DCT transmission for turbo-diesel variants.
It’s a fortuitous arrival for Hyundai as in recent times the mid-size segment has seen the debut of the all-new Ford Mondeo as well as updates for the Mazda6 and Toyota Camry. But against those fancied rivals the Hyundai i40 can more than hold its own thanks to its outstanding styling, strong value for money and locally-tuned driving dynamics.
Hyundai i40 is a major player in our burgeoning mid-size segment. Last year it outsold the likes of Holden Malibu and Honda Accord and, with this new update, is equipped to take-on all-comers in what is going to be an intriguing battle for the rest of 2015.
Hyundai i40 Overview
A refresher: the i40 is a creation of Hyundai Europe. It is a European styled vehicle and is Hyundai’s premium mid-sizer.
With the Series II update, Hyundai has reduced the complexity of the i40 range. You still have sedan (exclusively petrol) and Tourer (wagon) in petrol or turbo-diesel but with six variants, the list has been cut by 10 – very smart.
Entry level is still called the Active and the range-topper is now the Premium – the mid-grade ‘Elite’ is a goner. Extra specifications (for example a reversing camera and 4.3-inch touchscreen audio are now standard across the range) more than justify the slight price rises (previously the Hyundai i40 Active started at $29,990).
Over the Active grade, Hyundai i40 Premium adds features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, interior leather (front seats heated and power adjustment for the driver), glass sunroof, alloy pedals, brushed aluminium trim highlights, a power tailgate for the Tourer and the safety of a lane-keeping assist system.
This is how the new Hyundai i40 Series II lineup shapes-up:
| Sedan Active 1.7-litre turbo diesel | $33,090 |
| Sedan Premium 1.7-litre turbo-diesel | $41,990 |
| Tourer Active 2.0-litre petrol | $32,090 |
| Tourer Premium 2.0-litre petrol | $41,390 |
| Tourer Active 1.7-litre turbo-diesel | $35,090 |
| Tourer Premium 1.7-litre turbo-diesel | $43,990 |
Hyundai i40 Engine
Again we have Hyundai’s ‘Nu’ 2.0-litre naturally aspirated direct-injection petrol engine and the U-11 1.7-litre common-rail turbo-diesel.
The petrol engine, which is only available in the Tourer, has been re-tuned to improve low-end acceleration. This means output has dropped slightly to 121kW at 6200rpm and 203Nm at 4700rpm (previously 130kW/213Nm) - in the real word you can’t detect the difference.
Hyundai i40 petrol drives exclusively via a six-speed automatic transmission and combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 7.5l/100kms.
On the other hand, output for the 1.7-litre turbo diesel has been boosted by 4.0kW/20Nm to 104kW at 4000rpm and 340Nm from 1750rpm-2500rpm.
The turbo-diesel drives exclusively via the new seven-speed DCT transmission and combined cycle fuel consumption has dropped from 5.6l/100kms to 5.1l/100kms.
Hyundai i40 The Interior
The standout feature inside the Hyundai i40 is its spaciousness, especially in the rear. We’d venture to say it beats its rivals the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo on that score.
Changes for the Series II update are minor – a new 4.3-inch touchscreen replaces the previous dot matrix audio system and there’s now iPod connectivity and media ripping/storage.
And those is the rear gain a centre armrest storage box.
With 1,672-litres of storage space, the Hyundai i40 Tourer has most wagon buyers requirements covered.
Hyundai i40 Exterior & Styling
A creation of Hyundai’s European styling studios in Germany, the i40 has captured deserving compliments for its looks. Some have said it’s Hyundai’s best styling job so far and we can see that point of view.
Changes for the update centered on the front end. There’s a new-look front bumper and matte-black/chrome grille which has some reference to the sporty Veloster model.
Also noticeable are the new projector-beam headlights in black housings which feature a revised LED strip for the DRLs. Premium models score new LED fog lights with five individual LED lighting elements.
And there are new-design alloy wheels – 16-inch twin-spoke for Active models and handsome dark grey 17-inchers for the Premium.
Hyundai i40 On The Road
The excellent driver’s roads around Sydney’s Hawkesbury River beckoned and www.carshowroom.com.au tackled them in a Hyundai i40 sedan and Tourer. This area was battered by the storms on Anzac Day so the conditions were less than perfect and we encountered the odd rain shower to liven things up.
We’ve always liked the turbo-diesel Hyundai i40 but the extra output (4kW/20Nm) was certainly appreciated. And it’s certainly very refined – the new seven-speed DCT helping when cruising on the freeway.
As part of the upgrade, the i40 benefits from the more advanced 32-bit Motor Driven Power Steering system and more local suspension tuning. Hyundai’s local engineers evaluated 30 different suspension combinations encompassing both the 16-inch and 17-inch wheel sizes before settling on a package which included a smaller front anti-roll bar.
It’s minute work as the previous i40 was hardly deficient in the ride and handling department. Hyundai says the focus was on better feedback and steering response plus improved ride over bumps and better response to handle mid-corner bumps.
After our time over those Hawkesbury River roads we reckon Hyundai has nailed it. The i40 responded nicely when we pushed hard through the twists with precise steering response and predictable responses from the nicely calibrated chassis.
We did prefer the Premium model with the 17-inch alloy wheels – just a smidge firmer in its responses.
Hyundai i40 Issues
Hyundai Europe has equipped the i40 with a brilliant chassis so it could easily handle more power from the petrol engine – we’re thinking Hyundai’s 2.4-litre as fitted to the ix35 and Santa Fe. And it’s baffling there is no petrol-powered sedan model.
Hyundai i40 Verdict
Accolades again to Hyundai – the previous i40 was a pearler and, all things considered, so is the updated Series II lineup. Despite the slightly steeper entry-level price, the newcomer is better equipped and the simplified model lineup mostly makes sense.
Like the superseded model, Hyundai Europe delivered a spot-on chassis and the local suspension tuning again hits the sweet spot.
We like the looks and all buyers in this segment will like the interior space.
Hyundai i40 The Competition
We think mid-size passenger cars make sense and so do the big names in the automotive world. As we write, the all-new Ford Mondeo and updated Toyota Camry have just been launched – they join a credentialed field of rivals for the Hyundai i40.
Of course the superstar in this league is the Mazda 6 (recently updated). Priced from $32,450 and available in sedan or wagon, petrol or diesel, the ‘6’ is the segment’s glamour-looker and all that SkyActiv technology means it is fuel-efficient and brilliant to drive – a Car Showroom Favourite naturally.
Our other favourite is the all-new Ford Mondeo. Stunning looks and oodles of space mean the Mondeo ticks all the boxes especially for family buyers. Petrol or diesel and priced from $32,790, the Mondeo is the best Ford you can buy (until the Mustang arrives).
And if its European glamour you want and the budget can stretch, put the Peugeot 508 on your list. Oozing European style and quality, the sexy Peugeot is worth its price premium (starting from $37,990) and also comes in wagon or sedan, petrol or diesel.
