Hyundai i40 turbo-diesel enjoys a crisp shift to DCT
The i40 makes a strong case for the old-school station wagon, with sleek style, smooth dynamics – and lots of space. By David Linklater
Hyundai started rolling out an automated dual-clutch transmission (DCT) through its passenger-car range last year, with mixed results.
This is a good one: the (mildly) facelifted i40 wagon, with the 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine. The small-capacity, torque-rich engine is well matched by the crisp shifts of the DCT.
The new gearbox treads the fine line between smooth part-throttle gearchanges and snappy cog-swapping, when the compression-ignition engine revs past its peak pulling power and is threatened with diesel-lag.
It’s an engaging driving experience if you can excuse the pun, which is no less than you’d expect.
The i40 has always been a cut above Hyundai’s ‘other’ mid-sizer, the Sonata, and that’s all down to lineage.
They are two very different branches of one tree: the i40 is the model developed for Europe, while the Sonata is aimed at the more conservative, comfort-conscious Asian and American markets.
The i40 is firm without being uncomfortable and it’s a genuinely good steer. Not a sports car, but with enough sporting flavour to keen the keen driver interested.
The i40 is no longer the latest thing, of course. It was launched back in 2011 so don’t expect the latest Hyundai corporate styling and equipment (no Apple CarPlay for you, for example).
But the i40 still has a dramatic rakish style to it and while the interior ergonomics are far from cutting edge, this is a car full of character. It’s also a truly useful wagon: longer than the Tucson SUV and with 130 litres more bootspace.
Quality comes at a price of course, and the diesel Elite wagon costs $53,990.
Treat yourself to the Elite Limited version tested here, which adds equipment such as sat-nav with Suna traffic information (it’s fantastic), self-parking, lane-departure and lane-keeping assistance, panoramic glass roof and sports front seats, and you’re up for $59,990.
That’s still $4k less than a Tucson diesel Elite Limited though, notwithstanding that car’s larger engine and AWD.
So that’s some good news if you’re not head-over-heels in love with SUVs. You know, if you like being lower to the ground and a little more stylish. Price: $59,990.
Powertrain: 1.7-litre turbo-diesel four, 100kW/340Nm, 7-speed automated dualclutch transmission, FWD.
Performance: Combined economy 5.1 l/100km.
In a sentence: The best European Korean car you can buy.