Used Hyundai i40 2012-present review

Premium-badged alternatives from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been tempting buyers away from more traditional executive-sized cars from Ford and Vauxhall for a while now. It’s a shame because both the Mondeo and Insignia come with lots of equipment, have good fuel economy and are comfortable on the motorway. However, there are still some candid options out there, with the Hyundai i40 being a particularly good-value choice.

There’s a choice of one petrol engine and a 1.7-litre diesel in various power outputs. The petrol option didn’t last long because the diesel took the majority of sales, but then the i40 is a heavy car and the higher torque figures of the diesel versions are most welcome. It isn’t the most refined engine in the class and can be quite grumbly when cold, but it does quieten down on the motorway.

Smaller alloy wheel options are preferable because the 18in wheels on top-spec cars can thump into potholes and generate plenty of road noise at speed. The steering doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence with inconsistent weighting and limited feedback. Body roll in bends is noticeably worse than it is in a Mondeo.

Boot space is slightly down on the Mondeo, too, but it’s much more generous than the amount you get in an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class – all of which cost more than the i40.

There’s enough space for rear occupants but they will have to contend with a raised floor and protruding seatback that can be quite uncomfortable. Taller passengers could also find their heads brushing the ceiling as a result of the sloping roofline. However, adults will not want for space in the front and there’s plenty of oddments storage.

The interior is solidly constructed but can feel a little cheap next to rivals, and there are a few too many buttons strewn across it. You do get plenty of equipment at least, with SE Nav cars coming with a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and a DAB radio, an electric driver’s seat, auto wipers, cruise control, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and 17in alloy wheels.

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An early i40 from 2012 with a high mileage will set you back £5000, but if you up the budget to £7500 you can find plenty of lower-mileage examples in mid-range Style spec.

You’ll need around £10,500 to get a facelifted i40 in SE Nav trim with average mileage. Prices for nearly new examples start at £17,000.

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If you do find a petrol-powered i40, it’ll cost you a fair bit more to run than the diesel version. It has an official combined figure of 42.8mpg and road tax will set you back £190.

Of the diesel engines on offer, the 113bhp Blue Drive has the lowest running costs, with 67.3mpg and £20 road tax. 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.

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.

All cars registered after April 2017 will be subject to the new flat rate of £140 per year for road tax.

Servicing costs for the i40 will be comparable to rivals'; however, early i40s 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.

There’s little point suggesting the petrol because the overwhelming majority of i40s for sale are diesel-powered. We’d suggest going for the 113bhp 1.7-litre CRDi Blue Drive 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 1.7 CRDi 115 Blue Drive SE Nav

The Ford Mondeo has been a staple for years because it has plenty of space inside for up to five people and their luggage, has some strong engines and handles well.

If you like plenty of gadgets for your money, then the Kia Optima is worth looking at. It shares engines and transmissions with the i40, but there is a hybrid option if you do most of your journeys in town.

The Vauxhall Insignia has a classy and well-built interior and punchy 2.0-litre diesel engines. It also has a hatchback boot opening that is a lot bigger than the opening on the i40 and means you can get taller items in the back more easily.

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

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