Hyundai i40 Review (2011-2019)

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 With the sales of family cars dwindling, the Hyundai was withdrawn from sale in 2019 with no direct replacement planned.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 With the sales of family cars dwindling, the Hyundai was withdrawn from sale in 2019 with no direct replacement planned.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.