While Ford reportedly plans to exit the US minivan business, and GM is closing a plant that makes the people carriers, Hyundai is diving right in.
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The 2007 Entourage minivan, launched at the recent Chicago motor show is a full-size US-style minivan with a so-called Hyundai Hideaway third-row seat (a 60/40 split fold-into-the floor unit).
The new vehicle can carry up to seven passengers and is 202 inches long and 78.1 inches wide. Hyundai claims the 172 cubic feet of interior space is more than in the Honda Odyssey, a favourite of the enthusiast media.
The US minivan – aka Mom’s taxi – is most often used as a child carrier and buyers are very safety-conscious – hence Hyundai’s emphasis on the Entourage’s safety-related technologies, including electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitor, four-channel anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution, anti-whiplash active front head restraints, and six airbags including side air curtains for all three seat rows.
The Korean automaker expects to get a five-star rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) crash tests for front and side impacts for this new model, which is significantly larger than the Trajet minivan/MPV it sells in Europe and Asia.
Convenience features include power dual rear sliding doors with power windows, adjustable ‘conversation’ (child monitoring) mirror, folding centre tray table with four cup holders, dual-zone climate control, folding side view mirrors, tilt steering and optional power adjustable pedals.
Woodgrain or metal grain interior highlights and leather seats are available along with power tailgate, heated front seats and electroluminescent instruments. Rear seat entertainment system, reversing sensors and an MP3 audio system are also on offer.
None of this list is innovative or unique but they are comparable to the offerings from rival US and Japanese brands.
The Entourage has an aluminium 3.8-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 engine developing 242 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. Hyundai says the Entourage has more standard horsepower than the Ford Freestar, Chevrolet Uplander and Dodge Caravan, and more torque than the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravan, while timing chains rather than belts require no scheduled maintenance.
A five-speed automatic transmission with manual override is standard.
