Hyundai i40 diesel review
Garry Fabian has filed this Hyundai i40 diesel review.
When Hyundai first appeared on the Australian market two decades ago, they presented basic cars for those on a limited budget.
They offered no frills, had with very little if any refinement, and the quality and finish left a great deal to be desired.
I still recall the very first Hyundai I tested and my summary of it being “very agricultural”.
But the brand certainly has come of age and today’s product measures up very favourably against all comers be they European or Japanese.
The Hyundai i40, which is now also available in sedan form, is a great example of this improvement.
The body is styled in Hyundai’s European design studio in Germany, and its lines are clearly aimed to capture the European market but also to provide a very distinctive look that will attract Australian buyers.
My test car had the 1.7 litre diesel engine under the bonnet and was coupled with a silky smooth six-speed transmission.
The engine provides you with 100kW and 330Nm and this gives more than adequate get up and go, best of all the fuel consumption is remarkable – a combined 4.7 litres per 100!
Safety is well catered for with the i40 having been awarded a 5-Star ANCAP rating.
Its body shell is built around special high specification steel, and other safety features include nine air-bags, stability control, ABS brakes, traction control, brake force distribution, as well as special tail lamps that when the brake is applied suddenly and hard in emergency situations they flash to warn following drivers.
The car seats five adults in comfort with generous leg and head room front and rear, boot space is also quite generous.
The standard range of features even on the base model Active is impressive including remote central locking, keyless push button start, automatic lights-on and cruise control with a speed limiter – a welcome feature with the growth of speed camera locations.
Instrumentation is well laid out and easy to see at eye level and this gives the driver better and safer vision.
Automatic folding mirrors and a full size spare tire are also welcome features.
The suspension has been specifically tuned for Australian roads, and provides first class handling and drive stability, both around city traffic and out on the open road.
The NHV level is first class and this adds to passenger comfort on highways and suburban roads.
The Hyundai i40 is very impressive with the diesel version offering remarkable fuel economy.
NUTS & BOLTS
Engine: 1.7 lt turbo diesel producing 100kW and 333Nm.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic.
Safety: 5-Star ANCAP.
Warranty: Five years/unlimited kms.
Economy: Diesel – 4.7 L/100 Combined, 5.5L urban and 4.3L extra-urban.
Price: From $29,990. Active diesel auto as tested $34,590
