2008 Hyundai Entourage not just for soccer moms
JIL MCINTOSH FOR THE TORONTO STAR
The base price of the Entourage is surprisingly high for a Hyundai, but it does come with thoughtful features.
Hyundai was a latecomer to the minivan market, introducing its Entourage for model-year 2007. Kia had been offering its Sedona minivan in global markets since 1999, and when that van was completely redesigned in 2006, the Entourage was spun off it as a "sister" vehicle a year later.
Hyundai has tweaked its product for 2008: the 3.8-litre V6, found in all models (the trim lines are L, GL, GLS and Limited) rises from the previous 242 horsepower to 250, while torque increases from 251 to 253 lb.-ft., and the four-speed automatic transmission of 2007 is swapped for a five-speed.
As before, all models have anti-lock brakes and six airbags, but the electronic stability control that was only added to the upper-line model in 2007 is now standard on all trim lines for 2008. Of all 2008 model-year minivans tested, only the Entourage, Kia Sedona and Honda Odyssey have earned "Top Safety Pick" rating from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which means best ratings for front, side and rear crash protection, along with the stability control.
From nose to tail, the Entourage is longer overall than the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, but shorter than the Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country, Nissan Quest, and the long-wheelbase Chev Uplander and Pontiac Montana.
Surprisingly for the Hyundai nameplate, its base sticker is high: when compared to base trims from the competition, the $30,995 tag on the entry L trim line is surpassed only by the Odyssey and Quest ( I'm comparing official MSRPs).
The company is selling the Entourage on value instead, and you'll have to decide how many creature comforts you require.
The "Canada Value Package" on the Dodge Grand Caravan, the least-expensive at $20,295, includes air conditioning and power front windows, but the Entourage also includes power second-row windows, cruise control (optional on the base GM vans), heated power mirrors (unavailable or extra-charge on all but the top-line Grand Caravan), keyless entry, conversation mirror, privacy-tinted rear glass, wiper de-icer, floor mats, variable intermittent wipers, and the seat side and curtain airbags (unavailable or extra-charge on GM, depending on the trim line) and stability control (unavailable on the base Kia Sedona, and only found on the top-line Quest).
The move up to the Entourage GL adds power sliding doors, power rear quarter glass and a rear parking assist system, while my GLS tester included heated leather seats, automatic climate control, power driver's seat, power tailgate, and a rear-seat DVD player.
The Entourage's 3.8 L V6 engine, which it shares with the Kia Sedona, is among the most powerful in the segment, topped in horsepower only by the Sienna, and in horsepower and torque by only the Town & Country's optional 4.0 L V6.
The power delivery could be smoother, though; at moderate pedal, the Entourage ambles along; give it a bit of throttle and it takes off briskly, perhaps a bit too much. It's great when you need to get by a truck on the highway, but it wears a bit thin in everyday traffic. The brakes do their job, but there's more pedal travel than I prefer.
Roomy inside, the Entourage has comfortable seats, simple controls including a door-mounted power seat switch, redundant climate control buttons for second-row passengers, and a comfortable driving position with good visibility.
As expected in a minivan, there's ample storage: a big dual-compartment glovebox, a cubby below the dual power outlets so you can store the device being charged, covered boxes in the centre stack, and a tray with cupholders between the front seats that can be folded out of the way, or lengthened so that second-row passengers can use it also.
Chrysler's Stow 'n Go fold-into-the-floor second-row seats are still unique in the segment. If you want to remove the Entourage's middle row, they're heavy and require muscle to take in and out, but on the plus side, they're much more comfortable than the Grand Caravan's thinner-foam folders. There's a deep cargo well at the rear and the third row drops flat into it; remove the second row also, and you've got a flat-floor cargo van.
Competing in possibly the "unsexiest" segment short of five-ton trucks, Hyundai has turned in a minivan that's well-equipped and comfortable, and powerful enough that while it's sometimes too much for unburdened trips, it'll make short work of hauling around the team and its gear.
Soccer moms unite: with the price of gas what it is, watch for minivans to rise again.
Freelance auto reviewer Jil McIntosh can be reached at jil@ca.inter.net
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