Hyundai i40 Tourer Car Review
10-December-2011
- Vital Stats
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$32,490 - $44,490
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Petrol or diesel
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Bigger than average
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4
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Review by Harry Bundock.
Gone are the days when the humble station wagon served to ferry kids, shopping and the family pet. We want our cars to multi-task and Hyundai's i40 Tourer gets close offering all the versatile features of a wagon with a generous serve of style and comfort.
Style
Without doubt the style of the i40 Tourer is the first and most impressive aspect - the swooping roofline and flowing curves integrate nicely with the window and light arrangements to give the car a modern look. No more travelling salesman jibes, this mid-sized wagon has flair and presence.
The interior is contemporary but not as impressive as the exterior. All instruments are well appointed and easy to reach, and the driver instruments are clear and easily viewed when driving. The seats have been developed using high-tech materials and concepts to create a comfortable and supportive feel. There's no digital 'info' screen taking up space unnecessarily in the centre console, leaving room for easier operation of the audio and air conditioning instruments.
How was the drive?
We tested the four-cylinder petrol model which glided nicely on the flat and windy roads - figures suggest the motor is economical considering the size of the vehicle. The petrol motor was a bit overwhelmed when putting the car to work on hills and rises, making noise levels inside the car a little high.
We put the vehicle through its paces on some windy bitumen and the steering and brakes combination felt balanced and stable. Speaking of brakes, we must mention the i40 Tourer's clever electric handbrake and Hill Start Assist Control feature - more space in the cabin and less dramas taking off in steep circumstances. That's a load off your mind.
Cargo
Space in the rear is commendable. The Elite and Premium versions of the i40 Tourer come with a fantastic luggage rail system in the cargo area - a concept that allows two rails attached to the floor to be adjusted. This means your cargo area can be organised into sections and then secured with seatbelt-like harnesses that fasten to attachment points - a practical and safe measure, which will hopefully be introduced across the range in future.
Safety
There are nine airbags and a suite of active safety technologies to assist your driving. Think stability control and cornering brake controls, which come standard. It has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Fuel economy: Petrol version - 7.7. litres per 100km; diesel version - 6 litres per 100km.
