2011 Hyundai i40 Tourer Review

Hyundai has opened a new chapter in its path to global sales growth - this time mid-size wagons with the all-new Hyundai i40 Tourer. Nicely styled inside and out, petrol or diesel engines, the Hyundai i40 Tourer is certainly a head-scratcher for those considering wagon versions of the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, and Volkswagen Passat.

Because, Hyundai bring Hyundai, the i40 Tourer comes to market generously equipped and sharply priced from $32,490 (Mondeo wagon starts at $32,840, the Mazda6 wagon at $34,750 and the Passat wagon kicks-off at $40,990). 

Here’s the thing – not so long ago family and commercial buyers were flocking to SUVs because wagons were are dull, lifeless bunch. Not any more – the Hyundai i40 Tourer and wagon versions of the Mondeo, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat are load-luggers which look sharp and are mighty fine drives.

Hyundai i40 Tourer Overview

While Hyundai doesn’t sell the i40 sedan in Australia, the i40 Tourer is a substantial addition to the company’s portfolio. We like the looks and, with luggage space up to 1719-litres the Hyundai, i40 Tourer should account for the needs of most commercial and family buyers.

The i40 Tourer follows the normal Hyundai model line-up: three grades (Active Elite and Premium) and a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or 1.7-litre turbo-diesel. Car Showroom tested the Hyundai i40 Tourer in entry level Active specification, powered by the diesel engine and driving through the six-speed automatic transmission. 

Hyundai i40 starts at $32,490 for the Active petrol (six-speed manual) and the range-topping Premium diesel automatic is stickered at $46,490. Our test car was priced at $36,490.

Our Active model Hyundai i40 Tourer carried substantial standard features - Elite and Premium models gain extras like additional chrome trim, better seats (including leather) and audio systems.

Against its rivals, the Hyundai i40 Tourer chimes in with its nice European styling for an impressive on-road presence.

Hyundai i40 Tourer Engine

Hyundai’s 1.7-litre, four-cylinder, direct-injection turbocharged diesel engine reflects the new thinking of the Korean giant which commands strong sales in diesel-dominated Europe. Come to market there with a dud diesel and you’re asking for trouble.

So this engine is a pearler with 100kW at 4500rpm and 320Nm from 2000rpm (330Nm in manual), fuel consumption averaging 4.7l/100kms and impressively quiet operation. 

While major rivals contend with a bit more power, in day-to-day driving, the Hyundai i40 Tourer wasn’t lacking in acceleration or relaxed cruising – just as you’d expect in a wagon designed for Europe.

Hyundai i40 Tourer The Interior

Created by Hyundai’s Russelsheim, Germany, styling studios, the Hyundai i40 Tourer reflects its European focus with an interior which is all class. From the nice tactile feel to everything, high quality dials and switches to the upmarket materials, the i40 matches the excellent interiors of the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. 

And – where it counts – the Hyundai i40 actually delivers greater interior space (luggage space of 533-litres rear seat in-place or 1719-litres rear seat folded is particularly impressive). Rear seat passengers are well catered for – a big plus with family buyers – with lots of space, a fold-down centre arm rest, air vents and cleverly designed rear doors for easy access.

Up front the driver enjoys a height-adjustable seat and rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel and Hyundai’s usual nice quality instrumentation. Audio is a four-speaker CD/MP3 system with an iPod cable, Bluetooth connectivity and remote steering wheel controls.

Hyundai i40 Tourer Exterior & Styling

Again we have to doff our hats to Hyundai’s German styling team – the i40 Tourer is a great-looking wagon which turned heads when we arrived at school for pickup (always a handy measure of a car’s style).

At the front, the Hyundai i40 Tourer runs the current Hyundai look with a large lower grille and nicely-styled (automatic) headlights and deep sculptured bonnet/front guards, while the profile view is highlighted by a deep contour line rising from behind the front wheel arches to the rear three-quarter panels, matched by a rising beltline and raked C-pillar. 

The rear-end is a standout with a nice curve for the rear hatch, a roof spoiler and large, modern LED tail-lights.

Our Active model rode on stylish 16-inch alloy wheels.

All-up, the i40 Tourer is another slick styling job by Hyundai. The impressive sculpturing and strong lines all blend well for an on-road presence which is substantial.

Hyundai i40 Tourer On The Road

During our week with the Hyundai i40 Tourer we ran the standard Car Showroom test procedure over our high speed mountain roads test loop plus plenty of everyday work including the normal activities for the Car Showroom juniors – the scenario for which wagons are intended.

And in family life the Hyundai i40 Tourer accounted well. Equipped with a full-size spare wheel (some rivals use space-savers) the i40 Tourer delivers a load area which stood the test of varying sports gear, groceries and the rest of the paraphernalia we tossed in. 

Around town, fully loaded with people and goodies, the 1.7-litre turbo-diesel accounted well, aided by smart ratios in the six-speed automatic transmission, with enough acceleration to cope with the peak hour freeway ‘Speedway’ and was certainly a relaxed cruiser…but a bit more grunt would help. Here’s a big plus for the Hyundai i40 over SUVs – its 10.94-metre turning circle which made for easy parking in the CBD.

Suspension is the usual MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear but Hyundai – like sister company Kia – doesn’t just accept suspension calibration from the factory. And that local testing delivers a unique tune over European settings which does pay dividends.

Our test loop covers major and minor roads and there’s no doubt Hyundai’s engineers have all variables covered – the i40 Tourer rides very well over our poor secondary roads with abrupt edges, surface changes and pot-holes. And over our high-speed loop this mid-size wagon gave a good account of itself with nice chassis balance even when loaded and at the limit.

Hyundai i40 Tourer Challenges

By most measures and in everyday life, the Hyundai i40 Tourer is an impressive piece of kit. Our only real points deduction would be the power steering which doesn’t provide the degree of feedback keen drivers appreciate and which some rivals do deliver.

Hyundai i40 Tourer Verdict

Hyundai is a global automotive powerhouse, no doubt about it. And to compete on the world stage you need world-class products. 

So there’s no surprise the Hyundai i40 Tourer is a world-class wagon.

Hyundai i40 Tourer The Competition

The Hyundai i40 Tourer is well-equipped with goodies like hill-start assist and nine airbags – so be careful when comparing detailed specifications across the market segment.

Our Active model test car ($36,490) competes with the Ford Mondeo LX ($36,840), Mazda6 ($35,950) and Volkswagen Passat ($40,990).

All are great wagons. We rate the Ford Mondeo very highly and while there’s no denying the attributes of the Passat, it does have the segment’s premium price.