Two additional body shapes for existing models and a facelift made up Hyundai’s recent “i-Model launch” – the introduction of the i30 wagon, the i40 sedan and a refreshed i45. We spent a day checking them all out.
i30 Wagon
Based on the same platform as the i30 hatch (the previous generation wagon had a longer wheelbase than the hatch version), the i30 wagon feels unsurprisingly similar to the hatch to drive. From the driver’s seat things feel the same, with a familiar interior to compliment the familiar handling.
The real differences come further back, where despite only being marginally larger than the old wagon (10mm longer and 5mm wider, but also 10mm lower) and with a 50mm shorter wheelbase, luggage capacity has grown to an impressive 525 litres, an increase of 113 litres over the old model.
The i30 wagon comes with the same 94kW/260Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine as the hatch, hooked up to the same six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. But where the hatch gets a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the wagon comes with a smaller 1.6-litre effort.
Pumping out 88kW of power and 156Nm of torque, the 1.6 also comes with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
As with the hatch, Hyundai’s Flex Steer system is standard, along with 16-inch alloy wheels, seven airbags, manual air conditioning, Bluetooth, cruise control (with a speed limiter), remote keyless entry and a full range of safety acronyms.
Available as a single model, the i30 wagon starts at $36,490 for the manual petrol, while the automatic transmission adds $1,500. The manual diesel costs $40,490 with the auto topping the range at $41,990.
i40 Sedan
Pretty much the same as above, but the other way around for the i40 with the introduction of the sedan version of the sexy i40 wagon.
As you will know, we here at OVERSTEER are fans of the i40 wagon, so had high hopes for the sedan. And so it proved to be, with the sedan feeling very bit as impressive on the road as the wagon we spent a lot of time in driving around the South Island last year.
Confident and polished, the i40 sedan is only available with the strong 100kW/320Nm 1.7-litre diesel four-cylinder engine hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Available in two spec levels – entry and Elite – the entry level car comes equipped with nine airbags, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, paddle shifters and manual air conditioning, while the Elite adds 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, power front seats, front and rear heated seats, dual zone climate air con, leather trim, rain sensing wipers and a proximity key.
Prices start from $46,990 for the entry level car, while the Elite costs $51,990.
Essentially introduced to plug the diesel gap in Hyundai’s mid-size sedan line up that the i45 couldn’t do, the i40 sedan is a welcome, but perhaps slightly superfluous addition to the range. After all, why wouldn’t you just buy the sexy-looking wagon instead?
i45
Although recently dropped in Australia, the blingy i45 sedan has proven itself popular with Hyundai customers on this side of the ditch, so New Zealand will be keeping it in the range for now, despite the introduction of the dynamically superior i40 sedan.
A modest facelift has seen the i45 get a new grille, new wing mirrors, new LED positioning lamps, revised bumpers, new alloy wheels, new taillights and revised suspension tuning. The Elite model also gains front parking sensors and a reversing camera.
A new-generation 119kW/194Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine replaces the old 2.0-litre, while the the 148kW/250Nm 2.4-litre stays the same. Both are only available with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new suspension tuning takes away a lot of the soggy wallow of the last car, but it is still a car far more suited to long, straight cruising than attacking corners with wild abandon. Well specced and comfortable, the i45 starts at $42,990 for the 2.0-litre, while the entry level 2.4 costs $45,490.
The 2.4 Elite will set you back $49,990, while the Elite Limited adds a sunroof for $52,990.
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