Hyundai Imax Shuttle Crdi

The Age

Saturday May 10, 2008

Cameron McGavin

With space for eight, an attractive warranty and economical diesel engine, Cameron McGavin reports this people-mover has its appeal.

THE growth of flexible seven-seat SUVs has allowed many family buyers to sex it up (figuratively speaking) in recent years.

However, the big family bus still has its place if you need to accommodate seven occupants and their luggage - a task that taxes most crossover types. Sexy is not a word likely to be associated with the Hyundai iMax, but it does have loads of space and seating for eight.

Throw in diesel availability and, at first glance, at least, it seems ideally suited to the family-hauler role.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

The iMax is based on a humble delivery van, in this case the iLoad, but that's no kiss of death when its much costlier Volkswagen Multivan and Mercedes-Benz Viano rivals share similarly utilitarian roots.

Prices start at $36,990 for the 2.4-litre petrol model, which is less than Kia's Grand Carnival and well below a Toyota Tarago but $4000 more than the cheapest version of SsangYong's aesthetically challenged Stavic.

The $39,990 CRDi diesel tested here shares a similar fate, getting air, power windows and CD player but missing out on its direct Stavic opponent's leather, heated seats and cruise control. Maybe Hyundai is banking on the SsangYong's strange looks to turn buyers its way.

The CRDi's manual-only status is a potentially bigger blemish - and mystifying when a five-speed auto is offered to iLoad commercial van buyers.

HOW SAFE?

With only two airbags and anti-lock brakes, the iMax certainly isn't at the leading edge in terms of safety.

On the positive side, stability/traction control can be optioned on the diesel (it's free for the initial launch period) and is coming soon for petrol buyers. All eight seats get head restraints and proper three-point seatbelts.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

The Hyundai effortlessly shrugs off the challenge of seating eight. Twin sliding side doors give easy access, while the sliding second-row bench allows passengers to tailor their legroom. It's no temporary solution - even with it set all the way back, this tall motoring writer had plenty of stretching space in the fixed final row.

Other attractions for back-seat riders include rear air-conditioning controls and vents, reclining seats and plenty of bottle holders.

However, the Hyundai doesn't offer the same flexibility that you get with the crossover crowd. While the seats recline, they don't fold flat or tumble away to increase the considerable luggage space, meaning a fiddly, back-breaking affair if you're wanting to carry long objects.

Once you've made the big step up, the iMax feels surprisingly like a passenger car in the front. Indeed, with its sober design, simple, logical controls and good fit and finish, it could be almost be any Hyundai.

Storage is good, too, thanks to dual gloveboxes and big double door pockets, while the stereo's auxiliary input could prove a potentially effective means of keeping the kids entertained.

However, the front seats lack under-thigh support over longer trips.

UNDER THE BONNET

The CRDi's 2.5-litre, common-rail, turbo-diesel four looks the goods on paper, punching out 125 kW of power and a stout 392 Nm of torque. The petrol four, by comparison, manages just 229 Nm.

The result of all this, despite a kerb weight of more than two tonnes, is strong real-world performance. Put the foot down and the CRDi engine's muscularity and free-spinning nature endow the iMax with rapid acceleration and in-gear response.

The mandatory five-speed manual is nicely positioned and easy to master. Our test car, though, was a bit gruff in character, with noticeably more engine noise and vibrations than an automatic iLoad we sampled.

Fuel economy is good. We couldn't get as low as Hyundai's thrifty 8.5 L/100 km claim, but our test average of 10.2 L is commendable for a bluff, heavy vehicle such as this.

ON THE ROAD

The iMax might be huge but it's not intimidating to drive. While reverse parking is obviously harder than in smaller vehicles, it's respectably agile around town.

Light steering, good vision and a high driving position are other contributing factors to its surprisingly uncommercial character.

Unlike the iLoad and its load-oriented leaf springs, the iMax gets coil-spring suspension for a noticeably improved ride. It's well mannered, too, at highway speeds, with acceptably low levels of wind and mechanical noise. But venture onto a bumpy road and the non-independent rear suspension's Stone Age leanings make themselves felt with plenty of rock and roll.

That follows through to the handling. On a smooth road, the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai is essentially an honest, predictable lug but its balance and calm deteriorate in line with the surface. Vague steering doesn't help.

VERDICT

Few would lust after an iMax even if it were an undeniably brilliant piece of kit. But lukewarm standard equipment, safety blanks and less-than-sophisticated road manners don't help.

Ultimately, it fits into a segment where things boil down to a matter of need rather than want. And with its seating for eight, thrifty diesel engine, affordable price and five-year warranty, the iMax has the goods to make an impact.

HYUNDAI IMAX SHUTTLE CRDI 3/5

HOW MUCH: $39,990 (manual only).

ENGINE: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel; 125 kW/392 Nm.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Twin front airbags, stability/traction control, ABS with EBD, rear-parking sensors, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote locking, CD player with auxiliary jack, 12-volt outlet, two cup holders/six bottle holders, 16-inch alloy wheels, engine immobiliser and alarm, full-sized spare, five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

FOR: Gutsy and economical diesel engine, space for eight and their luggage,

decent refinement, class-leading warranty.

AGAINST: No automatic, safety gear and equipment could be better, handling deteriorates on bumpy surfaces, average cabin flexibility.

THE COMPETITION

KIA GRAND CARNIVAL

HOW MUCH: From $38,490.

ENGINE: 3.8-litre V6;

184 kW/343 Nm.

SAFETY: Four-star NCAP rating. Two airbags, ABS.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Dual-zone climate-control, power windows, cruise control, CD player, 16-inch alloys, alarm.

FOR: Lots of metal and space for the money, strong and smooth V6, seating for eight.

AGAINST: Thirsty, ponderous road manners, unremarkable boot space.

OUR SCORE: 3/5.5

SSANGYONG STAVIC SPR

HOW MUCH: From $39,990.

ENGINE: 2.7-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel; 121 kW/340 Nm.

SAFETY: No NCAP rating.

Two airbags, ABS, parking sensors.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Climate-control air, cruise control, leather, heated front seats, powered sunroof, CD player, 16-inch alloys, alarm.

FOR: Loads of equipment, strong and thrifty diesel engine, it's big.

AGAINST: Strange looks, sloppy road manners, questionable quality, mediocre boot space.

OUR SCORE: 2/5.5

VOLKSWAGEN MULTIVAN COMFORTLINE TDI

HOW MUCH: From $56,990.

ENGINE: 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel; 128 kW/400 Nm.

SAFETY: No NCAP rating.

Six airbags, stability/traction control, ABS, parking sensors.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Dual-zone climate-control, power windows, cruise control, trip computer, CD player, 16-inch alloys.

FOR: Strong engine, excellent six-speed auto, faithful road manners,

loads of space, safety.

AGAINST: Expensive, firm ride, mediocre refinement.

OUR SCORE: 3/5.5

© 2008 The Age

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