Hyundai i40 Estate

Hyundai feels it simply has to compete in this sector of the market to become a mainstream player. And its efforts seem to have paid off, as the i40 is a strong contender that will prove at home on UK motorways. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but the firm promises a competitive spec, as well as its impressive five-year warranty package. Add efficient engines, and the car is a winner.

Korean manufacturer Hyundai is loading up for battle! Next May, the new i40 estate will take on the VW Passat, as the firm steps up its bid to become a serious mainstream player. 

Auto Express has been behind the wheel of the car at Hyundai’s research and development centre in Seoul to see if it has what it takes to beat the Passat in its own back yard. The i40 has been developed at the company’s facility in Germany, and will go on sale first in estate guise, in May. 

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Hyundai i40 Tourer

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69269","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

A saloon follows later in the year. This is in response to VW predictions that it will sell more load-carrying versions of its latest Passat than saloons. 

Under the camouflage of this test mule, the i40 follows Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, which includes a bold, hexagonal grille, a big crease along the shoulder line and a neat, flush-fitting tailgate.

Neat details such as the intricate adaptive headlights make the i40 appear expensive, while the reverse-curve D-pillar adds just enough visual flair.

The driving position is good, with a decent view out, and a long wheelbase ensures there is lots of space front and rear. The boot is huge, too, and has a number of underfloor cubbies, a retractable luggage screen and a full-size spare wheel.

Petrol fans are limited to a single engine option: an all-new 174bhp 2.0-litre. Volume sellers in the line-up will be powered by the new 1.7-litre diesel, which is offered with 114bhp or 134bhp. Our model featured the latter, and once the turbo kicks in at around 2,000rpm, it provides plenty of punch. 

There’s lots of torque, too, although the unit needs to be worked to keep pace with the traffic flow. It’s noisy too, although Hyundai assures us this won’t be the case on the finished production cars. 

Although the platform and suspension have been completely re-engineered for Europe, the i40 isn’t as sharp to drive as a Ford Mondeo. But that’s no bad thing – it means comfortable progress, particularly at motorway speeds. 

We’ll reserve judgement until we drive a production model in the UK, but the ride and handling bode well, as does the direct, well weighted steering. Add the roomy, solid interior and efficient engines – plus the tempting price Hyundai usually delivers – and the i40 could have rivals on the ropes.

Rival: VW Passat Estate

Classy, quiet and comfortable Passat estate ticks all the boxes. It features a wide range of petrol and diesel engines – although with prices from nearly £19,000, it’s more expensive than the i40.