The Hyundai i40 is a large family sedan/estate primarily designed for the European market. It was first revealed back in 2011 and was in continuous production until 2019. The i40 isn’t perfect by any means, but it manages to offer a relatively cohesive experience for most people. So, is Hyundai i40 a good car?
The Hyundai i40 is surely a good car if these types of cars are what you want. Hyundai i40 has quite a large number of engines on offer which means that it isn’t a problem finding one that is going to fit your needs. Design isn’t anything particularly special as is the case with Hyundai models from this era. The interior looks good and it can be really well-equipped if you go for a highly specified model.
When it comes to driving, the i40 definitely feels larger than most other Hyundai models which does make the car feel a bit more comfortable. It is no sports sedan, and that is rather obvious the moment you step inside the car. Reliability is not as good as most Hyundai models, and we are going to mention the most common Hyundai i40 issues.
Value-wise, the i40 can now be had for a really low price which more or less justifies buying one. It may not be the be-all-end-all of affordable family cars, but for the price, it is really hard to beat it. Practicality is also really good, especially with the estate version that can pack quite a few people and stuff in the trunk.
Hyundai i40 – The powertrain
When it comes to powertrain options, the i40 is really good as it offers an abundance of engine choices. The entry-level engine is the 1.6L 4-cylinder gas engine with 135hp. You can also go for the more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that offers 200hp or the slightly detuned 2.0L 4-cylinder with 177hp. These gasoline engines are good, but the i40 is primarily designed around diesel engines.
The diesel engine palette consists of 1.7L 4-cylinder engines in various stages of tune. You can get the 1.7L with either 116hp, 136hp, or 140hp. All i40 models are front-wheel-drive and you can choose between a regular manual or a single-clutch automatic.
Efficiency-wise, the i40 can do a maximum of around 45-50MPG with diesel models while gasoline models should be able to return up to 35MPG.
Hyundai i40 – Design and chassis
The Hyundai i40 looks fairly unassuming which means that it is not going to win any awards, ever. Hyundai used to make really boring-looking cars until the very latest models which do look a lot better in many different ways. When it comes to the interior, the i40 is nice, but nothing is going to wow you, especially if you are used to the premium segment.
Chassis-wise, the i40 is a through and through comfort and ease of use type of car. This means that no i40 tries to be overly sporty for a variety of reasons. It really is a no-nonsense family car that does what it is supposed to do.
Hyundai i40 – Reliability and common issues
When it comes to reliability, the i40 does not offer results as promising as in most other Hyundai models. The i30 and even the i20 are both more reliable than the i40 which is a surprise because the i40 is the top-spec model from the “i” model range.
The most common Hyundai i40 problems include various issues with the DPF filter, issues with the electricals, issues with trim and equipment, and issues with the steering system. All in all, the i40 is able to hold its own when it comes to reliability, but you need to maintain it often and according to all Hyundai service bulletins.
Hyundai i40 – Value and practicality
Value-wise, the i40 has depreciated quite a bit which means that it can be had for a really affordable price. For the price, it is difficult to beat the i40, but if you are planning on buying it, be sure to do a pre-purchase inspection. New i40 models are unavailable for quite a few years which means that the used market is your only option.
Practicality is really good with the i40 as it is fairly large. The trunk is large as well, especially on the estate version which packs four adults without any issues. Visibility is a bit limited due to the car’s size, but nothing is out of the ordinary for the size.
FAQ Section
How long can the Hyundai i40 last?
Correctly predicting how long any car can last is an extremely difficult task as there are many variables that ultimately affect that. The i40 should be able to last at least 200k miles if you take proper care of it which means servicing it regularly. It may not be as reliable as most Hyundai models are, but that is not too big of an issue when compared to most cars out there.
The good news is that spare parts are relatively easy to come by as the i40 uses more or less the same underpinnings are many other i-series models.
Is the Hyundai i40 a luxury car?
The Hyundai i40 is a large family sedan/estate which means that it shares certain similarities with premium large cars from various luxury brands. Be that as it may, the only resemblance between these cars and the i40 is limited to size.
The i40 isn’t comfortable or luxurious enough to be called a luxury car and that is obvious the moment you step inside the i40. That’s not to say that the i40 is uncomfortable, but rather than true luxury cars are on a completely different level.
Why did Hyundai stop making the i40?
The Hyundai i40 was discontinued because it never really was successful. Most large sedan buyers in Europe either go for luxury brands or don’t go for large sedans at all. The i40 never came to the US because of the Sonata which is the most popular Hyundai sedan ever.
New Zealand and Australia also got the i40, but Hyundai decided to offer the Sonata instead of the i40 about a year before the i40 was completely discontinued. All in all, the i40 was never all that popular as sales numbers were decent at the best of times.
