Hyundai i40 is a design delight

The saloon version of the Hyundai i40 is a very long and sleek looking car

If you like to know exactly how long you’ve been stopped at the lights, then the Hyundai i40 is the car for you as its Stop/Start system tells you just that.

And if you’re into quirkiness, it sings a little welcome song when you turn the key in the ignition.

The Hyundai i40 is a beautiful, stylish looking large family or executive car, with striking looking LED lights complementing the long and sleek exterior.

Inside, the cabin controls are nicely laid out and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into the design of the i40. For instance, there’s a great media centre, which is housed behind a glossy pop up door. It has a USB/iPhone/Aux outlet and space to leave your phone or MP3 player there also.

The interior of the i40 is very well designed

Phone, cruise control/speed limiter, and audio controls call all be operated from the steering wheel and there’s a lovely colour contrast on the instrument panel at night.

The centre storage compartment is also nicely placed and doesn’t get in your way.

The saloon model I was driving had auto lights and wipers and the ignition lit up in the dark, which I really liked.

The i40 is an extremely spacious car, with a massive boot and loads of legroom, which you really notice in the back seat. It offers a really comfortable high driving position, with an electronic controlled driver’s seat.

The 6-speed, 1.7l diesel model I was driving was a powerful car. It had lovely smooth gear changes and great acceleration – you could really open up the car before having to go up a gear.

The fuel efficient Stop/Start was handy in urban traffic and I liked knowing how long I was stuck at various junctions across the city.

The i40 is also available in a Tourer (estate) model

Our magical mystery tour took us along the coast from Dublin to Wicklow and back along the motorway. The i40 is a big car but it handled the narrow, winding roads well and really felt at home cruising on the M11.

The i40 is very long, even the saloon version I was driving, and while the Executive model is equipped with a reversing camera in the rear view mirror, I would recommend parking sensors as well as I think the beeps are more reassuring than the silent camera.

Overall, I thought the i40 was a beautiful, spacious, sophisticated looking car which offered a nice strong drive and was very well spec-ed.

Irish prices for the Hyundai i40 start from €24,995 for the entry level 1.7l diesel Comfort model. Prices for the top of the range Executive model I was driving start from €26,995.

Hyundai also offers a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Tech Spec:
Engine: 1.7l CRDi 115ps (diesel)
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 12.3seconds
Top speed: 192km/h
Combined Fuel Consumption: 4.3l/100km
CO2 Emissions: 113g/km
Annual road tax: €160 (Band A)

Visit hyundai.ie or Hyundai Ireland on Facebook for further information.