Hyundai i40 (2012 – 2019) Review

June 2011

Hyundai i40 Saloon launched

The i40 saloon boasts a purely European identity having been designed and engineered at the European R&D headquarters of Hyundai in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and represents the next evolution of the company’s unique form language, ‘fluidic sculpture’.

The ‘fluidic sculpture’ design DNA utilises flowing lines inspired by nature to create a dynamic exterior, and was introduced on the Hyundai ix-onic concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Since this debut, ‘fluidic sculpture’ has been the design inspiration behind all new Hyundai models, such as the award-winning ix35 and ix20.

The i40 saloon not only benefits from attractive styling, but also retains high levels of interior comfort, with a wheelbase measuring 2.77 metres and delivering best-in-class dimensions for front head (1025mm), shoulder (1455mm), and leg (1170mm) room.

September 2011

Full pricing and specification announced

Prices will start from £17,395 on the road with insurance from Group 12E; and as with the i40 Tourer, will offer customers a high level of standard specification coupled with competitive cost of ownership. Also, with the lowest ‘Benefit in Kind’(BIK) cost in class for key diesel derivatives, the Hyundai i40 range will become an attractive alternative for company car drivers.

The Hyundai i40 Saloon will be available in the same three main trim levels as the i40 Tourer (Active, Style and Premium) with the choice of two efficient engines, three power outputs and manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Hyundai’s Blue Drive technologies – incorporating Intelligent Stop & Go technology – are fitted as standard on all Active derivatives, and on the Style 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive and the Premium 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive model ensuring emissions of 119g/km.

Standard features, which set the i40 apart from other competitor offerings, are 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, leather steering wheel with audio controls, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, electric front and rear windows and electric parking brake with automatic hold function. Touch screen satellite navigation with rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and dual zone climate control are standard on the mid-point ‘Style’ range.

The Premium models benefit further from the addition of leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and supervision instrument cluster with LCD colour display as standard, plus the option of the Lane Departure Warning and Smart Parking Assist, heated leather steering wheel and ventilated front seats.

The i40 uses the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants. Active safety features include ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Hill-start Assist Control (to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), Brake Assist System and Emergency Stop Signal.

In terms of passive safety, every i40 on the road in the UK will be fitted with seven airbags as standard – front, front side and curtain, with driver knee airbag available as standard on all models. Hyundai anticipates the i40 Saloon to follow in the footsteps of the Tourer by achieving the maximum 5-star result under Euro NCAP’s impact assessment.

All Hyundai i40 models will be supported by Hyundai’s industry-best, fully transparent Five Year Triple Care assurance. This package offers five-year unlimited warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.

December 2015

Along with KIA Optima, i40 upgraded for 2016: The 1.7CRDI engine received a range of modifications, resulting in greater power output and torque, and reduced emissions.

Now producing 141PS (up from 136PS) and 340Nm torque (increased from 325Nm), the upgraded 1.7-litre diesel engine offers an improvement to engine response, low end torque, efficiency and NVH. The upgraded engine boasts far lower CO2 emissions, reduced to 110 g/km (when fitted with manual transmission and Kia’s Idle Stop/Go fuel-saving technology).

The revised Hyundai i40 aldo features the brand’s advanced new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT), recently launched in the enhanced Kia cee’d and available exclusively on models fitted with the best-selling 1.7-litre CRDi diesel. This new DCT is capable of handling the higher torque outputs of the turbodiesel and has been engineered to offer a sportier driving experience with instant gear changes.

The seven-speed (7DCT) dual-clutch auto transmission was developed in-house at Hyundai/KIA's Namyang research and development centre in Korea with the aim of delivering the comfort and smoothness of a torque converter transmission in automatic mode with the sportiness of a manual when the driver chooses to take control of gearchanging via the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

November 2018

Hyundai i40 updated with new engines

Hyundai has updated its i40 with design enhancements, new safety features and upgraded powertrains.

The refreshed look and improved specification aim to maintain the appeal of the i40 to European customers, while the updated engines meet latest Euro 6d Temp emission standards. The enhanced i40 is offered in Tourer and Saloon body types.

Both models present D-segment customers with outstanding exterior and interior design, numerous high-tech features and genuine high value and quality at an accessible price.

The i40 was the first Hyundai to feature a seven-speed dual clutch transmission for increased efficiency and driving comfort. Offered in the latest Tourer and Saloon models paired with the 1.6-litre 136 PS diesel, it gives the driver the choice of fully-automatic or sequential manual shifting.

Further enhancing the driving experience in the i40 is a Rear Electronic Damping System and Advanced Traction Cornering Control, which deliver excellent ride and handling characteristics. The latest model also benefits from additional active safety and comfort features, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Keep Assist (LKAS).

The i40 is now available with the newly-developed Smart Stream 1.6 CRDi engine in two power outputs; the standard engine version with 115 PS and 280 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, or the higher output Smart Stream 1.6 CRDi engine with 136 PS and 320 Nm of torque, with the choice of either 7-speed dual clutch transmission or the 6 speed manual transmission. Smart Stream powertrain technology increases performance and reduces real-life fuel consumption. Alternatively, the i40 is also available with the 1.6 GDi 135PS petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The seven-speed DCT system offers drivers fully-automatic operation (ideal for town driving) or sequential manual gear changes selected with the gear-lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles for greater driver involvement.

CO 2 emissions across the range start from 117 g/km (NEDC) with fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100km (62.8 mpg) for the 1.6 CRDi 136PS 7spd DCT variant of the i40 Tourer.