Find Reviews by Make:
Is it an Elantra? A Sonata? The answer is neither… this is the sedan version of Hyundai’s “Mr Euro” i40, which launched first as a wagon. It’s the “Korea-Passat” that hopes to show up the “Kraut-Passat,” while taking the brand into the entry-premium space that the Passat CC helped define. And it looks every bit as good as you’d hope an Elantra-Sonata mashup might. Meanwhile, Euro-phile car lovers the rest of the world over now get to deal with the strange phenomenon of having to lust over Hyundai’s forbidden European fruit.
16 Comments on “What’s Wrong With This Picture: Hyundai Splits The Difference Edition...”
Read all comments
I like it just because it’s another right-size midsizer. There aren’t too many of these left since the Legacy and Mazda6 grew up.
It’s really not all that much smaller than a Sonata (and it’s built on the same platform): one inch less wheelbase, two inches less overall length.
I like the looks of the I4 wagon
Sonantra? Maybe they should just call it Frank.
That is a pretty wholesome rear end.
And it’s not coming to the US, I imagine? Because I’d buy one: 2.0T, Hybrid, whatever.
Pretty unlikely for the same reason you never see the Toyota Avenesis or Ford Mondeos in the US. Larger cars like the Sonata, Camry, and Fusion are really better for the US market whereas in Europe they usually go for a smaller car. If this was in the US it would just dilute Sonata or Elantra sales. It seems like the only time manufacturers bring these cars over is when they’ve differentiated them significantly from their siblings-usually as some kind of luxury product, so Honda brought over the Euro Accord but only as the TSX and Toyota sorta has the Avenesis here but as the Lexus HS250. Scion also differentiated the tC by making it a supposedly sporty coupe only vehicle, so it doesn’t steal Camry sales.
Exactly.
A bit smaller, a better interior and a more taut ride/handling as befitting European preferences.
If Hyundai decided to bring over the i40 Estate as the Sonata wagon, not liking its chances for success.
Aside from the American dislike for wagons/hatches (it’s fine if you call it a cross-over), not sure if the buying public would be willing to pay more for a nicer vehicle (they would be expecting Sonata sedan pricing and Hyundai can’t make any $$ if they did that).
More specifically, Europe generally has a tax on >2.0L engines, making the 2.4L class midsize sedans unattractive to middle class buyers. That’s probably the biggest reason we don’t see the “right-size” cars here.
Note for the designers of the Chrysler 200 replacement:
See that little window on the side behind the rear door? Instead of a cheap plastic panel? Ayup.
And I like the way the high mount brake light is integrated.
I’d buy one, either sedan or wagon.
I think I’ll wait until the headlight finally meets the A pillar :-(
I think there’s room on the roof for more creases.
I’ve got an idea – they could import it here and call it the i40. :)
“And it looks every bit as good as you’d hope an Elantra-Sonata mashup might…”
Good looking, eh? If you like driving a car that looks like a cross between a widemouth bass and Ultraman, I guess it could be right up your alley.
Nice car.
It could be my next car.