Hyundai i40 Tourer First Drive

Buyers of the Tourer will have the choice of a diesel or petrol driveline and either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed conventional automatic with shift paddles.

The petrol is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with the usual double-overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder and cranks out 130kW. The diesel is a less-familiar 1.7-litre layout with a turbocharger and an output of 100kW, which isn't bad. But more significantly, the turbo-diesel also contributes 320Nm of torque which is the engine's defining characteristic.

In diesel-manual form, Hyundai claims a startling 4.7L/100km which, given the car's 70-litre fuel tank, offers a theoretical range of almost 1500km. Even in its thirstiest, petrol/automatic form, the i40 Tourer is rated at 7.7L/100km.

The petrol version does the job with little noise as you really stretch the engine towards redline, but it's the turbo-diesel that emerges as the one to buy. Not only is it generally quieter, it does its best work between 1000 and 3450rpm which is right where you want it.

We weren't able to sample the manual transmission but in any case, this is an automatic market and it works nicely with the diesel. Hyundai's market research also shows that about half of all mid-sized wagons sold are now diesel-powered.

So what of that Aussie-tuned suspension? The ride feels about right and there's commendable control of body-roll but the front-end feels like it could be a bit short on travel. A couple of times our test car found its front bump-stops on potholes that shouldn't have worried it.

The biggest glitch, however, is to do with the electrically-driven power-steering. Like many manufacturers, Hyundai is switching to this technology to save fuel and while some designs get it right, the same cannot really be said for the i40. The steering responses feel alien and artificial and there's a constant sensation of being disconnected from what's really going on. Some owners will never notice this, others definitely will.

Three trim levels will be offered in the i40 Tourer starting with the base-model Active which gets a leather-clad tiller, steering wheel-mounted controls and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Elite is next and adds 17-inch alloys, a powered driver's seat, keyless start, a premium stereo with CD stacker, panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and front and rear parking sensors.

The Premium is the range-topper with 18-inch alloys, adaptive headlights, heated and ventilated leather sports seats and a reversing camera with the screen built into the rear-view mirror.

But even the Active is pretty well appointed and all i40 Tourers get blue tooth connectivity, iPod/USB/MP3 connection, a two-stage reclining rear seat and cruise control.

On the safety front the news is good with nine airbags (including thorax bags in the rear) and the full array of active safety gear in terms of its braking system and stability control. All i40 Tourer variants rate five stars in ANCAP testing.

At first glance, the pricing looks ultra sharp with the base-model coming in at $32,490. But look closer and you find that that applies to the petrol, manual variant. Option up the turbo-diesel engine and automatic gearbox and you're dealing with a $36,490 proposition (diesel and automatic add $2000 each across the board) at which point there's a lot more marketplace competition around.

Hyundai has also been pretty bold with its trim upgrade prices and there's a $5000 step up each time, although that does include the automatic transmission (the base model is the only one to have the manual option). Even so, that makes the top-spec Premium diesel a not unsubstantial $46,490.

VERDICT: The pricing is offset a little by Hyundai's exceptional five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and free roadside assist, but, in such a hotly contested market segment, Hyundai may find out that good looks will only get you so far.