2012 Hyundai i40 sedan expands mid-size line-up

By Tim Beissmann
June 22nd, 2012

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The Hyundai i40 sedan is now on sale in Australia, joining its European-designed wagon sibling and the similarly sized i45 sedan in Hyundai Australia’s comprehensive medium car line-up.

Priced from $29,990, the new i40 sedan is positioned between the Korean brand’s existing mid-sizers, starting $3000 above the base model i45 and $2500 below the entry-level i40 Tourer.

The introduction of the i40 sedan makes Australia the first market in the world to offer all three of Hyundai’s mid-size models.

The Hyundai i40 line-up mirrors that of the i40 Tourer. The entry-level i40 Active is available with either a 2.0-litre petrol engine or 1.7-litre diesel and with the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. Both engines are also available in the mid-range Elite and top-spec Premium variants, which both come standard with the auto gearbox.

The automatic transmission is a $2000 option in the Active variants, while the diesel engine commands a $2600 price premium over the petrol across the range.

At 4740mm long, 1815mm wide, 1470mm tall and riding on a 2770mm wheelbase, the i40 sedan is 80mm shorter and 20mm narrower than the i45, and has a 25mm-shorter wheelbase. The i40 sedan’s boot has a 505-litre capacity, 18 litres less than the i45 but surprisingly just one litre less than the i40 Tourer.

While the i45 (known as Sonata in some overseas countries) was designed to appeal to the North American market, the i40 was styled in Germany as a “modern premium mid-size sedan” for the European market.

The new sedan benefits from a classy interpretation of Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, with LED daytime running lights incorporated into the flowing headlights, a prominent hexagonal grille, a sleek tapered roofline and elegant LED tail-lights.

The 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine produces 131kW of power at 6500rpm and 214Nm of torque at 4700rpm. Teamed with the manual transmission, it burns through 6.8 litres of fuel per 100km, and it uses 7.5-7.7L/100km with the auto (depending on the trim level).

The 1.7-litre diesel engine generates 100kW between 2000-2500rpm and 320Nm of torque between the same rev range (330Nm with the manual). The diesel manual is rated at 4.7L/100km combined while the auto ranges from 5.6-6.0L/100km.

The i40 sedan’s suspension has been tuned specifically for Australia, with thousands of kilometres of testing and calibration work conducted on local roads to optimise the ride for our unique conditions.

Standard features in the i40 Active include 16-inch alloy wheels with full-size spare wheel, automatic headlights with daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, electric park brake, cruise control with speed limiter, and an audio system with AUX/USB ports and Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming.

The standard safety package across the i40 sedan range includes nine airbags (dual front, front-side, rear-side, curtains, and driver’s knee) and electronic stability control, earning the maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

For $5000, the i40 Elite adds 17-inch alloy wheels and larger brakes, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, automatic windscreen defog function, smart key with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, leather/leatherette upholstery, power driver’s seat, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, alloy pedals, and a premium audio system with amplifier and subwoofer.

The Elite also scores a seven-inch touchscreen that incorporates rear-view camera display and satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic updates.

Adding another $5000 and topping the range is the i40 Premium, which scores 18-inch alloys, HID headlights with adaptive front lighting system, panoramic glass roof, electric folding mirrors, ventilated front sports seats and heated rear seats, rear cargo net, stainless steel scuff plates and satin-finish beltline moulding.

The i40 Tourer is now in run-out ahead of a 2013 model year update around August/September, which is expected to align both body styles with identical equipment levels, including the availability of sat-nav in the wagon.

Hyundai currently has an 8.7 per cent share of the medium segment in Australia with the i40 Tourer and i45, and expects the addition of the i40 sedan to take its share beyond 10 per cent of the market.

2012 Hyundai i40 sedan manufacturer’s list prices:

Active petrol manual – $29,990
Active petrol automatic – $31,990
Active diesel manual – $32,590
Active diesel automatic – $34,590
Elite petrol automatic – $36,990
Elite diesel automatic – $39,590
Premium petrol automatic – $41,990
Premium diesel automatic – $44,590

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Robin_Graves

They need more power
Whitbomb07

The Mid size Hyundai sedan that Australia should have always had………I’d put my money on the i45 being discountinued by years end……….It seems pretty good for the current market, but I doubt it or anything else currently in the market is going to compete well with the next Mazda 6/Takeri!

Regards

Whitbomb07
- FanBoi
  
  The whole midsize Hyundai range is getting very confusing, i40 looks much better than the i45. I agree that i45 should be redundant soon.
  
  //
- Mad Max
  
  A lot of people said that about the CX5 and in many ways its a disapointment. Over priced and in the petrol, underpowered. For the money the cabin is dull and not that well finished. It also continues Mazda´s tradition in being noisey in the cabin. The current 6 has steadily declined in sales since being introduced and even Mazda´s savage price cuts have not helped. I´m not sure how you think the new 6 will be a segment busting car. Only time will tell but if its not a big improvement in key area´s over what the CX5 is, it will only sell well until the pent up demand is satisfied. Despite the rubbish you read on various websites about waiting lists, quite a few Victorian dealers have good stock of the entire range.
O123

Great that sat nav is now included
sam123

4740mm makes it the exact same length as a W124 mercedes (Circa 86-94 E-Class). That is a surprise to me cos it looks way smaller than that. Good value car by the looks of it and not quite as fussy in the styling department as the i45. Nice work.
Schn

This car looks really good. Still not used to those air vents in the centre, but overall, this car looks really good. A bit of Lexus characteristics in the lights, but they’ve managed to pull it off so it looks like a Hyundai. Good job Hyundai!
Daree12

Similarly priced to Honda accord euro… That will be a hard ask
- Henry F
  
  Agreed. If the Euro was also available with a diesel in Aus, it would be an even more difficult ask.
- Schn
  
  New model is being released this year or next year if I remember correctly. So yes, it’s going to be a difficult choice.
- Schn
  
  New model is being released this year or next year if I remember correctly. So yes, it’s going to be a difficult choice.
- Steve
  
  Agree can secure an accord euro luxury with sunroof, 18″ alloys etc for 36-40k driveaway. No brainer.
Henry Toussaint

2.0L Please, Or 2.4 GDI..
Wesa182

So the wagon now gets the sat nav too then if the sedan does?
Tell It As It Is

Hyundai specify their cars with the smallest engines available. Toyota specify their cars with the largest engines available. Most of the people in the know wouldn’t buy a Camry or Aurion size car with a 2L engine, direct injection or not.
- nickdl
  
  Those engines are actually the largest available for the i40. Europe gets smaller ones or the same size engines tuned to further favour economy.
  - Tell It As It Is
    
    As for the petrol engine, the i40 gets the 2.0, the smallest. The Aus i45 gets that same 2.0 as standard. In the US the i45 gets the 2.4, turbo or 3.5 V6.
Yawn345

$2500 is a pretty big price hike for the wagon over the sedan
- Kampfer
  
  Hyundai has to match Honda Euro’s price. They know they can’t prices the i40 higher than it.
  
  Even at same price I guess most ppl (myself included) still pick the Euro, but I may pick Premium over Euro Luxury if i40 can feel as refine as the Euro.
Mr Frobisher

Hyundai have had supply issues so they have been able to sell the i40s they have been getting. When supply improves expect a range re-org with better equipment and sharper pricing. It is possible to negotiate a new i40 wagon in Elite spec with tow bar on the road for less than $39K. Not bad value, however, a Mazda 6 wagon is mid $30s and it has a more torquey petrol engine so Hyundai are going to struggle a bit on price.

As for the diesel… I would run a mile… Hyundai quotes $9000 for a replacement DPF!!!!! Nasty, as this item is not covered by warranty! Hyundai MUST do something about their spare parts prices if I am going to buy a diesel from them. It also points to a possible sting in long term ownership costs as it looks like Hyundai spare part prices are more than what Mercedes Benz seem to charge (at least for some items).

Overall, this looks like a decent car and is a better choice over the i45 if you value fuel economy over performance.
- peddy.d
  
  Hey mate, what’s a DPF? Diesel Particulate filter?
  - Pirate Post Office
    
    Yes
    - peddy.d
      
      9000 Dollars???????? Are you sure?
      - Pirate Post Office
        
        Yes, call you local Huyndai dealer and ask for service and parts.., yes, I was stunned too given that Ford asks $2,600 for the same Bosch part.
- Sumpguard
  
  Not everyone wants over the top performance. Infact the majority of motorists would be more than happy with the performance of this car. Motoring journalists typically aren’t amongst them.
- F1MotoGP
  
  Who quoted you $9,000 fro DPF?
  - Pirate Post Office
    
    2 separate dealers
bruzzer

i see this car here as pointless, this car should be a diesel only offering wit a 2.0l r engine from the IX35. then you can justify asking a premium price on it.
The i45 should remain as a petrol only offering and potentially with its new 2.0turbo as a flagship model.

the way it is, its only going to kill one of these models… personally prefer the i45 but hope both stay around but configure the specs a bit better.
- Don Quay
  
  The 2L diesel would have way too much torque steer in this FWD car. You would be changing lanes everytime you accellerated
jon

2L engine is amongst the most powerful in its class, better than the pathetic Civic Sport 2L, better than Corolla

Respect to Hyundai
- Tell It As It Is
  
  But in the body size of the Camry/Aurion/Falcon it goes like cr4p. Unless it’s a 2.0 turbo like the 2.0 Ecoboost in the Falcon with 6.9 sec 0-100 time.
  - Phil
    
    People looking for large 4 cylinder sedans are not looking for performance and these ones use less fuel than Ecoboost and don’t need premium fuel to get their figures.That said, Hyundai’s often unperform relative to their claimed power outputs like the 148KW i45 recording slower acceleration than the 130KW Kizashi or Mazda 6.
    - Tell It As It Is
      
      The others are smart and they don’t put the 2.0L into the Camry/Mazda6/Accord/Liberty. But they put the 2.4L-2.5L (that’s the minimum for safe driving) and the 3.5L/3.6L V6 as options where available.
Guest

Hyundais are fast loosing their value advantage over far superior rivals, and their styling philosophy isn’t aging well (iX35 and i45 looks horrible now), they need to improve their act as they can’t sell their cars at the same prices as dynamically superior Japanese and Euro rivals….
- bd
  
  They are in the US (for instance the ATP of the Hyundai Elantra is higher than both the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic).
Antmindel

This strategy has worked well for Honda,who have the conservative Accord,as well as the sporty Accord Euro,which donr compete against one another on the showroom floor,so Hyundai could have similar success with its 2 mid sized sedans.
nickdl

This is a much nicer car than the i45. We’ll have to wait and see but I’m sure it will be much, much nicer to drive (not a tall order). The petrol Elite is probably the best value, although I’d want to look at an Accord Euro and a Mazda 6 first.

Had an i45 hire car last month and it was pretty average. It was roomy and well-equipped in some ways, but seems to be missing a bit, such as the lack of a colour screen and dual-zone climate control, and it feels cheap. It’s not a very pleasant car to look at, and while it’s competent in all it does, it was just so uninspiring and dull. I’d rather a Camry. I think Hyundai will have a lot of trouble selling the i45 now that the i40 sedan is around.
ShaunT

I first saw the i40 wagon at Melb motor show was going to buy one until they released the specs. 1.7L diesel is too small. Hyundai listen to u’r customers we want a 2.0L!
Mr Plow

The i40 Wagon has been a flop worldwide because of its high price and below par performance. The sedan will continue this trend unless Hyundai slash thousands off the price and put in more powerful engines. I’d buy a Mondeo or Passat of Accord Euro over this any day. I like the i40 concept but the pricing and engine choice has me wondering what idiots Hyundai employ to make these decisions.
Smart US

Hyundai is getting very big head
Bobmac

All we need now from Hyundai are caped services especially on the diesels.Heard this is work in progress with the dealers.My i30 diesel services have been close to $800 on the major ones.
Don Quay

I think Hyundai are very ambitious with that pricing. While it is a much better looking car then the hideous i45, I can’t see the value in it being more expensive for what is perceived as a smaller vehicle than its stablemate. For the same money you can get an Accord Euro or Mazda 6 Touring, which are better looking, would certainly be a better drive and have more prestige in may peoples opinion.

Just last week in Perth I had an Avis Camry (just superseded Sportivo Model) for a couple of days. Then I got a flat tyre and took it back, because I don’t like driving around without a good spare in the boot. They swapped it for an i45 as that is what was available. People mock the Camry and I find them rather boring too, but it cr4ps all over the i45 as a drivers car. The steering and ride are vastly superior and the Camry had way more grunt and got me around 8.5L/100km. So much for Hyundais claims regarding power, performance and economy. It makes a mockery of Hyundai’s claim to tune the suspension for Australian conditions. Even on a smooth freeway it constantly jiggles, let alone the crashing and thumping on suburban roads. This is second i45 I have had, in different cities. They were both the same. They still have a lot of work to do and the value proposition isn’t what it used to be, particularly with the spare part rip-off prices. Having said all that, I think I would rather have a Honda, Mazda or a Mondeo than the Camry.

I also agree with the others regarding how poorly the styling for the i45 and iX35 has aged. They really look stupid and poorly detailed now.I too wouldn’t be surprised to see the i45 deleted, they have never been a good seller in their segment anyway. Hyundai would be better off trying to concentrate on the i40 sedan and wagon. With the two body styles and the engine choices they should have more success.
Phunken

The Sonata/i45 was designed for the USA so the styling is questionable, but they had 3 years now with the Fluiditic so the euro centric i40 should be more refined. Hyundai is smart on covering all model niche. All they really need is the Genesis RWD range here, off all the market in the world Oz would be accepting of RWD car.
I still think the Korean cars are more exciting compare to the japanese right now…
http://twitter.com/klowik klowik

It should be priced from $20k-$35k to compete with Mazda3. If I were to spend $30k-$40k for a car, it won’t be Hyundai or Kia. I doubt if Hyundai can sell many of the i40 sedans. They are not any of the reputable Japanese brands.
stormy

Hi everyone, have owned my black i40 premium for a month now & couldnt be happier.I looked at all the competitors in its class & none had the features of the i40. Some had different features but no where near as many..As for the power debate i purchased the 2ltr petrol & have found no lack of power, its not a sports car but it was never intended to be,it drives nice ,corners well & ive found no lack of power when over taking. Those that compare it to the honda euro , can you get a full panoramic sun roof, heated & COOLED front seats, heated rear seats, adaptive headlamps just to mention a few things ,in the honda?. The fit & finish of the car is excellent & i would recommend it to anyone. I agree that 10 yrs ago i wouldnt have walked across the road to look at a Hyundai ,but what a difference 10 yrs has made….a great car with 5yrs unlimited kilometer guarantee & reasonable capped price servicing!!!…if you are in the market for a new car dont hesitate to have a look, you will be surprised.
Ted

This 2 litre engine is craker and is the the next engine for the Kia Cerato – I hope so, but why a GDI 1.8 litre was not put in the i30.