Used Hyundai i40 Tourer 2011-present review

It may have been swamped by the sales successes of that on-trend newcomer the SUV, but the noble estate car still has a lot of life left in it. The Hyundai i40 Tourer is a fine example of the breed. It’s a handsome design that offers all the dynamic virtues of the South Korean firm’s i40 saloon and then adds a welcome dose of added practicality, and it competes ably against well-established cars like the Ford Mondeo Estate and the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer.

Hyundai has established itself as a top player in the UK in recent years, with huge increases in its market share thanks to a range of much-improved engines and suspensions and some undeniably neat styling that gives its cars their own unique identity. There’s also the extra lure of its competitive pricing and a generous five-year warranty from new.

To succeed in this class, though, a good estate car requires an enticing blend of performance, frugality and practicality. The i40 Tourer begins by offering a choice of only diesel engines, without a petrol option. In fact, it’s the same 1.7-litre diesel engine in two different states of tune: either 113bhp or 134bhp, which was upped to 139bhp after a mid-life facelift in 2015.

Standard equipment is very good, though. S trim comes with 16in alloy wheels, air-con, auto headlights, electric windows front and rear, Bluetooth and a USB connection. The better-equipped SE Nav adds 17in alloy wheels, an electric driver’s seat, auto wipers, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and a touchscreen navigation system with a DAB radio. SE Nav Business and Premium trims sit above that and offer some choice luxuries, including 18in alloys, leather seats, keyless start and a panoramic sunroof.

On the road, the lower powered version of the i40 Tourer has enough get-up-and-go around town and beyond for it to make the most sense for most people. It pulls pretty well from low revs and hauls the i40 Tourer up to motorway speeds without ever feeling out of its depth.
The more powerful model will be preferable if you regularly carry a full car of passengers and luggage; it’s faster in a sprint and pulls hard in any gear – this might come in useful over particularly hilly terrain. Bear in mind that almost all of the i40 Tourer’s rivals offer far more powerful diesel (and petrol) variants, though, and that in both of its states of tune this 1.7-litre engine can be a little gruff and unrefined, especially around town.

The i40 Tourer’s ride and handling are a little disappointing, too. Models with smaller alloy wheels are more comfortable, and at higher speeds it manages to remain decently controlled. At lower speeds, though, especially the versions with 18in wheels, the i40 Tourer can thump into ruts and potholes, getting quite out of shape. In addition, the steering is pretty uninspiring; it’s fairly precise but quite slow, weirdly weighted and devoid of feel. Pair that with a body that leans quite a long way in bends and the i40 Tourer feels dull to drive next to a Ford Mondeo or Skoda Superb Estate.

Inside, it’s easy to find the right driving position, and visibility to the front is good. It’s a little restricted to the rear, due to the thick rear pillars, but SE nav trim and above got useful rear parking sensors. The dashboard feels rather old-fashioned, with its smattering of rather small buttons, and interior quality is a little mixed. SE Nav models and above get a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system. It’s easy to follow the system’s menus and the large on-screen buttons are easy to hit, but its fairly low-resolution screen is looking a little outdated next to other estate car systems such as Skoda’s.

Space is good up front, but head room is a bit tight in the rear, and it’s more comfortable for two passengers than three abreast. However, behind the rear seats sits a comparatively spacious boot. Access is very good and inside it’s a practical square shape and officially offers 553 litres, which is more than you’ll get from a Ford Mondeo Estate but less than a Skoda Superb Estate. The rear seats split in a 60/40 configuration and fold down as standard.

Find a used Hyundai i40 Tourer in the What Car? Classifieds here

You can pick up a higher mileage example of the i40 Tourer for under £5000, but if you’re looking for one with an average mileage for the year and a full service history then expect to pay between £7000 and £9000 for a 2012 or 2013 car. Up this to between £10,000 and £12,000 and you’ll find 2014 and 2015 cars with the same criteria from independent dealers. Above £12,000 will get you into a 2015/2016 post-facelift car, bought from a franchised dealer.

Of the diesel engines on offer, the 113bhp version has the lowest running costs, with 67.3mpg and £20 road tax, if registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into force. The 134bhp version can be had both with or without fuel-saving technology. Without, the car has an average of 55.4mpg and £135 tax for the manual and 47.1mpg and £190 tax for the auto. With the fuel-saving tech on the manual version, the average goes up to 62.8mpg and road tax is brought down to £30, if registered before April 2017. Any cars registered after April 2017 will be subject to annual car tax at the current rate of £140 a year.

As part of a 2015 facelift, that higher-powered 1.7 diesel was retuned to 139bhp and comes with fuel-saving tech as standard, so both fuel consumption and emissions were reduced. Manual cars have an average of 65.7mpg and £30 tax, autos are a little worse at 56.5mpg and £115 road tax, again as long as they were registered before the tax change date.

Servicing costs for the i40 Tourer will be comparable to rivals'; however, early cars can now take advantage of discounted servicing, since they are old enough to be out of the manufacturer’s warranty period. Included as part of the package is 12 months of AA roadside assistance coverage, which could be worth considering if you normally pay to take out your own breakdown cover.

Of the diesel engines on offer, the 113bhp version has the lowest running costs, with 67.3mpg and £20 road tax, if registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into force. The 134bhp version can be had both with or without fuel-saving technology. Without, the car has an average of 55.4mpg and £135 tax for the manual and 47.1mpg and £190 tax for the auto. With the fuel-saving tech on the manual version, the average goes up to 62.8mpg and road tax is brought down to £30, if registered before April 2017. Any cars registered after April 2017 will be subject to annual car tax at the current rate of £140 a year.

As part of a 2015 facelift, that higher-powered 1.7 diesel was retuned to 139bhp and comes with fuel-saving tech as standard, so both fuel consumption and emissions were reduced. Manual cars have an average of 65.7mpg and £30 tax, autos are a little worse at 56.5mpg and £115 road tax, again as long as they were registered before the tax change date.

Servicing costs for the i40 Tourer will be comparable to rivals'; however, early cars can now take advantage of discounted servicing, since they are old enough to be out of the manufacturer’s warranty period. Included as part of the package is 12 months of AA roadside assistance coverage, which could be worth considering if you normally pay to take out your own breakdown cover.

We’d suggest going for the 113bhp 1.7-litre CRDi because it’s the most efficient engine in the range and still manages to produce enough torque to keep up with traffic out on the motorway.

SE Nav comes with more than enough kit to suit the needs of those who require a big, comfy cruiser without having to fork out for top-spec models.

Our favourite Hyundai i40 Tourer: 1.7 CRDi 115 SE Nav

The Skoda Superb Estate is the go-to choice in this class for anyone looking for a good-value used car with a colossal boot capacity and acres of internal space. It’ll seat five adults in comfort and it’s good to drive too. It’s also good value and handsomely equipped.

The Ford Mondeo Estate is also good value on the used market. It offers masses of space, albeit not as much as the Skoda. It’s good to drive, too, even if it’s not quite the trend-setter that one or two previous generations of Mondeo have been.

Find a used Hyundai i40 Tourer in the What Car? Classifieds here

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