Hyundai i40 saloon review
23 January 2012
- Four-door i40 family car driven
- Price £17,395-£24,895
- On sale now
The Hyundai i40 family car range has been expanded to include a four-door saloon – it joins the Tourer estate that was launched last year.
Plenty of effort has gone into making the two cars look distinct from one another, and the new four-door car has a swooping roofline and sharp body lines that combine to create a smart-looking saloon.
As in the Tourer, there are three engine options: a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.7-litre diesel with either 114bhp or 134bhp.
The diesels look particularly appealing, with CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km when optional Bluedrive efficiency technology, such as the stop-start system, is fitted. This is standard on the 114bhp car and an option on the 134bhp version.
What’s it like to drive? We drove the higher-powered diesel, and this feels distinctly flat when you pull away. However, it’s willing and smooth once the turbocharger kicks in.
The i40 saloon is at home around town, too, thanks to its lightweight electric steering. Moving away from the urban environment, the steering doesn’t inspire a huge amount of confidence on faster roads because it’s slow to respond.
Some wind noise enters the cabin at motorway speeds, but the i40 is good at shutting out road noise.
What’s it like inside? Hyundai has set out to make the i40 great value for money, and this includes packing it with standard equipment.
Entry-level Active cars come with alloys, air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls and auto lights and wipers, while our mid-level Style trim gets satellite-navigation, a rear parking camera, cruise control and dual-zone climate control.
Most of the dashboard controls are simple enough to use, and there’s space for four six-footers in the i40’s cabin.
You can fold down the rear seats to increase the already large loadspace. However, space is restricted by the narrow opening between the boot and cabin.
Should I buy one? The i40 saloon is a good-looking car inside and out, while the comprehensive standard equipment makes it look good value, too.
Given the choice, though, we’d rather have a Ford Mondeo or VW Passat. – they’re better to drive and more refined.
Rivals:
Ford Mondeo
VW Passat
What Car? says…
Tom.Webster@whatcar.com
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