Hyundai i40 Review (2011-2019)
Hyundai i40 cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Relaxing to drive on the motorway
Roomy cabin
Affordable to buy and run
Cons
Utilitarian cabin finish
Driving position could be more comfortable
Not as good to drive as a Ford Mondeo
The CarGurus verdict
The Hyundai i40 is a very likeable car, especially if you’ve got your sensible head on. It’s refined, comfortable and an easy car to live with on a daily basis, thanks to its capacious cabin and simple driving characteristics.
It is also great value for money as a used buy, thanks to its relatively weak residual values, although obviously, this could come back to bite you come resale time.
All models come with generous levels of standard equipment and the diesel cars will cover plenty of miles between fill-ups.
It’s also pretty easy on the eye, even if it is best viewed from a distance, as the cabin finish is rather utilitarian and nowhere near as plush as a VW Passat or a Mazda 6. Get one of the later model Tourers with some warranty remaining, and hardy, fuss-free family motoring for supermini money is all but guaranteed.
In a world obsessed with SUVs, it’s easy to see why cars like the Hyundai i40 get overlooked. That’s great news for savvy used buyers, because not only does this lack of desirability make the i40 amazing value, it is also one of the more rounded family cars you can buy.
It's happy doing the everyday stuff, like school runs and shopping trips, but the i40 is undoubtedly at its best when pounding up and down motorways, where its comfortable ride and excellent refinement really shine.
Intended as a rival for the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and Skoda Superb, the i40 made its debut in 2011 as a replacement for the lacklustre Sonata saloon. Available as a saloon and versatile Touring estate, it injected some much needed style into the Korean brand’s line-up, without undermining its reputation for value and reliability.
In 2015, the i40 range was treated to subtle makeover, with refreshed looks, revised trim levels, updated engines and new twin-clutch gearbox option. With the sales of family cars dwindling, the Hyundai was withdrawn from sale in 2019 with no direct replacement planned.
In a world obsessed with SUVs, it’s easy to see why cars like the Hyundai i40 get overlooked. That’s great news for savvy used buyers, because not only does this lack of desirability make the i40 amazing value, it is also one of the more rounded family cars you can buy.
It's happy doing the everyday stuff, like school runs and shopping trips, but the i40 is undoubtedly at its best when pounding up and down motorways, where its comfortable ride and excellent refinement really shine.
Intended as a rival for the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and Skoda Superb, the i40 made its debut in 2011 as a replacement for the lacklustre Sonata saloon. Available as a saloon and versatile Touring estate, it injected some much needed style into the Korean brand’s line-up, without undermining its reputation for value and reliability.
In 2015, the i40 range was treated to subtle makeover, with refreshed looks, revised trim levels, updated engines and new twin-clutch gearbox option. With the sales of family cars dwindling, the Hyundai was withdrawn from sale in 2019 with no direct replacement planned.
Earlier cars were available with a choice of 133bhp 1.6-litre or 175bhp 2.0-litre GDi petrol engines. Neither was particularly popular when new, while the former struggled with the i40’s heft, delivering sluggish and strained performance. However, if you don’t do many miles, then the smooth and punchy 2.0-litre is a good choice, if you can find one.
The fact is, most examples of the i40 are powered by a 1.7-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel unit, which came in two power outputs. While the lower-powered cars were rated at 113bhp, the stronger version delivered 134bhp. For the facelift the engine was revised to provide greater refinement and efficiency, while the more powerful version was tweaked to deliver 139bhp.
Regardless of power output, the diesel engines are pretty smooth, but they’re not particularly feisty, so it is worth searching out the more powerful version, especially if you intend to haul around heavier loads on a regular basis. Elsewhere, the i40 is a calm and composed performer, but not one that’s going to get the blood pumping or bring out your inner racing driver. The steering is accurate but fairly lifeless, while the handling is safe and predictable, with good grip. Post facelift cars feel a little sharper to drive thanks to some suspension improvements, but the car’s easy-going character remains largely the same.
Effectively, the Hyundai is more of a cruiser than a scintillating sports saloon, its supple ride and low noise levels making it a relaxing and refined choice that’s particularly at home when hacking up and down motorways.
When the i40 was launched it was available in Active, Style, Premium and Premium SE trims, while the 2015 facelift changed the line-up to S, SE Nav, SE Nav Business and Premium. In practical terms this was a like-for-like swap, with only subtle tweaks in kit between pre and post update models.
Effectively, all models are well-appointed, with entry-level Active and S cars featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, air-con, Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and dusk-sensing automatic headlights.
Style and SE Nav adds cruise control, electric driver’s seat adjustment, larger alloys, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors. The biggest difference is that newer car, as its name suggests, gets a touchscreen infotainment set-up with sat-nav (and a reversing camera).
Pricier Premium and SE Nav Business cars get 18-inch wheels, leather trim and keyless entry, while Premium SE and Premium models add ventilated front seats and heated rears, a panoramic glass roof and a powered tailgate for the Tourer versions.
By modern standards, the infotainment in the i40 feels a little old fashioned. Most early cars made do with fairly traditional set-ups, with a straightforward radio and CD player plus Bluetooth, USB and aux-in connection. A touch screen sat-nav was available, but it’s rather basic, although improvements for the facelift models got a larger display, crisper graphics and clear menus, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also available.
The i40 was awarded the full five-stars by EuroNCAP, although that was back in 2011 and the test has become a lot more stringent since then. Given its age it’s no surprise the Hyundai misses out on the latest driver aids, but stability control and seven airbags were included on all models. Facelift models were also available with lane departure warning and lane keep assist, plus a speed limit recognition function.
If you happen to track down a petrol-powered i40, you’ll probably wish you hadn’t because it’ll cost you a fair bit more to run than a diesel version. The saloon has an official combined MPG of 42.8, which is pretty shabby compared to the equivalent emissions-reducing 113bhp Blue Drive diesel’s 67.3mpg. The Blue Drive fuel-saving technology includes engine stop-start and low rolling resistance tyres.
The stronger 134bhp diesel can be had with or without Blue Drive. With it, the manual gearbox version averages 62.8mpg and without, 55.4mpg. This drops to 47.1mpg for the automatic version.
Post-2015 facelift, the higher-powered 1.7-litre diesel gained an additional 5bhp and the fuel-saving stop-start measures as standard. So, according to the official figures of that time, later manual cars improved their average fuel consumption to 65.7mpg while the autos claimed to be capable of 56.5mpg. Do bear in mind, however, that these cars were tested under the old NEDC regime for measuring fuel economy, and not the more recent, stricter and more realistic WLTP tests.
Although all i40s are attractively priced, resale values are closer to that of Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia; in other words, not great. That means you'll pay less for one as a used car, but don't expect to get much back yourself when you get rid.
Insurance premiums are affordable and even a young learner driver won’t add too much to their parent’s premium, especially if you’re considering a basic trim 1.6 petrol car, which falls into a lowly group 12. Even the top of the range 1.7 CRDi Blue Drive Premium 4d DCT won’t be too hard to bear as these are still rated in a reasonable group of 20.
Recommended service intervals for the i40 are every year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first and any owners of vehicles outside the five-year warranty period can take advantage of Hyundai’s rather cheesily-named eSENSEtials servicing. Starting from around £100 for a basic health check, each tier of servicing also has the option to add an MOT and includes up to 12-month roadside assistance. Expect to pay around £170 for an interim fettling, which will include oil and filter replacement plus an air filter and brake and clutch fluid change. A £230 major service will include all of the above plus a cabin filter replacement, engine coolant and transmission oil change and a spark plug change for petrol cars.
Hyundai’s standard five-year unlimited-mileage warranty is amongst the best, although it remains a mystery why it doesn’t stretch to seven years, as offered by sister brand Kia. Admittedly, the Kia arrangement expires after 100,000 miles. The Hyundai warranty is fully transferable, so that's definitely something to ask about when looking at used i40s - although it’ll only be the latest cars that are still covered.
Although not quite as exemplary as bitter rivals Toyota, Hyundai has an excellent reputation for reliability. In the latest What Car? survey it came an impressive seventh out of 32 manufacturers, although somewhat strangely, the i40 didn’t do so well, finishing last out of the 14 executive models included in the test. Consumables for the i40 are refreshingly affordable.
Front brake discs will cost around £100 and about £75 for rears, and if you’re reasonably handy with a spanner this is the type of job you could tackle at home. A replacement radiator should set you back no more than £175, and if you’re happy to do your own servicing work, air filters and oil filters can be had for a fiver and a tenner, respectively. As is the norm, light bump damage can have a heavy impact on your bank balance. A rear tail light could set you back about £166.
There was a recall with very early cars regarding a faulty clutch switch, which meant if the vehicle was started in gear, without the clutch engaged, it could jerk forwards but this was sorted by dealers and addressed on later models.
Some owners have reported issues with stubborn manual gearboxes, making it difficult to select first gear, especially when cold, and there have been a couple of reports of failing rear windscreen wipers on the Tourer. Overall, though, other than a few reported electrical glitches, as the years roll by and mileages increase, the i40 is proving to be an extremely hardy vehicle.
- When Hyundai started selling cars in the UK back in the early eighties, they were seen as a bit of a joke. Cheap and cheerful cars like the Pony and Sonata were all well and good for emerging markets but they weren’t going to cut it in the UK. Fast forward the best part of 40 years and Hyundai are now major players in the UK. The Korean company’s plans for expansion don’t stop there, either, as 2021 saw the introduction of its Genesis luxury brand. Look out Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
- As with other Hyundai models, the i40 shares its underpinnings and engine with a car from sister firm Kia. In this case it’s the Optima, which with hints of Jaguar XF in its styling is arguably even more handsome than the i40.Like its near identical twin, it’s available in saloon and estate (SW in Kia-speak) guises, yet it feels more upmarket inside and is covered by a longer seven-year warranty.
- While the i40 was built in the brand’s Ulsan factory in South Korea, it was actually styled at the firm’s European headquarters in Russelsheim and was inspired by Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language. Leading the team that created the car was Thomas Bürkle, who was also responsible for the bold Ioniq 5 EV.
- If you’re buying on a budget: If money is tight then the i40 makes an awful lot of sense. Even pre-facelifted cars still look fresh and good ones should drive pretty seamlessly. If you’re looking for a petrol car your options will be limited, so we’d steer you in the direction of one of the turbo diesels. The lower-powered 113bhp version with its six-speed manual gearbox will supply sufficient real-world performance and return excellent economy. There are some stellar mileage cars to be had for less than £5K but we’d be inclined to push the budget by a couple of thousand. For this sort of money, you’ll find loads of clean examples with decent specifications and mid-50,000 mileages.
- If you want an automatic: We’d go for one of the later cars with the seven-speed, twin-clutch DCT gearbox, rather than the earlier six-speed auto. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the older gearbox, other than it creates a greater drag on the engine, so fuel economy suffers and that drain hampers initial responses, which means progress can be rather languid. The DCT is considerably quicker in terms of its shift responses and has less impact on fuel economy.
- If you want as much practicality as possible: All i40s give you plenty of space, both in terms of the cabin area and luggage capacity, but the Tourer gives you a fair bit more day-to-day practicality. The rear quarters aren’t as boxy as a Volkswagen Passat or a Ford Mondeo estate due to some significant wheel arch intrusion, and that swooping roofline means ultimate capacity isn’t as capacious as a Passat. At up to 1,719-litres, the boot is a good deal bigger than the i40 saloon, however, and the up-and-over tailgate and flat load lip make it a lot easier on your back when loading heavier items.
