Hyundai's Sonata replacement comes at a time when value for money is high on any private or fleet buyer's mind. The latest five-seater from the Korean giant is a very well executed car. Initially launched as an estate - a form very popular in Europe but less so here as estates, at best, represent between 5%-15% of sales in 'D' sized cars in Ireland. i40 will be available as a saloon later in the year and this is the version we are all waiting for. Having seen it in Frankfurt last week at the international motor show it will certainly stir up the sector.
i40 is an impressive car on looks alone. The front-end features Mazda-esque good looks and even Audi LED-like ‘HID’ daytime running lights that give the i40 a clear identity on the road and an up market look. When viewed side-on and at the rear Opel's Insignia comes to mind, so the good news is buyers won't have to make any excuses for the car's appearance.
Inside, the cabin is clearly the best effort yet from Hyundai. The instruments and materials used have a definite quality feel and look. Switches and buttons are backlit and from the driver’s seat you are cosseted in a cockpit-like area that is a very pleasant place to be. The boot holds 553 litres or 1719 litres with the seats down. In my top spec ‘Executive’ i40 there’s a clever adjustable rail in the boot that helps divide up the space plus a reversing camera makes parking a joy. The soft load cover can be set to open with the tailgate opening or remain in place - for added security.
On the road my manual test car has 115bhp delivered to the front wheels from a 1.7litre, turbo diesel (auto version gets 136bhp). i40 is nippy when provoked and potentially very frugal to run if you are light with your right foot. Hyundai points out that cost of ownership with i40 when you include its excellent 5-Year 'Triple Care' warranty is class leading. My test car costs under 27K and has lots of toys. The entry-level ‘Comfort’ estate version is 25K and when you consider estates are pricier, the saloon will be even better value for money. Manual i40s are particularly green, falling into tax band ‘A’ so annual road tax is just €104!
Critically i40 lacks steering feel and this may disappoint more enthusiastic drivers, for most buyers this characteristic won't be missed. The steering also tends to be a little self-centering. On wet and greasy roads the low rolling resistance tyres fitted to my test car while a key part in delivering excellent fuel consumption figures take a while to warm up. I was aware of my pace on twisty roads and in particular on roundabouts. In favourable conditions i40 is a composed and entertaining drive thanks in the main to a solid chassis and plenty of torque (260nm) delivered through the six-speed manual gearbox.
Hyundai’s i40 is now most definitely a rival to the main players and volume sellers in the sector like Toyota's Avensis, Ford's Mondeo, VW's Passat etc. and definitely a wise-buy. Will i40 it be Car of the Year? As I am one of the judges all I can say is… it’s possible.
Michael Sheridan
