• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

Hyundai Minivan to Finally Arrive is Spring of 2006

Entourage a Fitting Name for Hyundais Largest Vehicle

Its difficult to understand why it will take Hyundai so long to come to market with a minivan, but at least the target launch date of spring 2006 is finally in sight for a vehicle that will be named Entourage when it arrives.

The minivan, mid-van or in Hyundais case, full-size passenger van market segment is ideal for the conservative, family-oriented automaker, and every rival that vies for global top ten nameplate status has one in its lineup.

South Korean rival Kia has seen great success with its Sedona, due for an update this fall. Being that Kia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Auto; expect to see a significant

Hyundai is finally coming to market with a minivan. The Entourage, which will share its general architecture and much of its componentry with Kias Sedona, will arrive in the spring of 2006. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

amount of component sharing, taking advantage of an economy of scale that will surely help both nameplates be more competitive.

And the competition is tough. Chrysler Group still maintains leadership with its Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country duo, while GMs new Chevy Uplander, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay foursome is a close second by last count. Ford offers its

South Korean rival Kia has seen great success with its Sedona, due for an update this fall. The Entourage will ride on a version of its platform. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

high value Freestar, while Japanese imports, such as Honda, Toyota and Mazda, deliver a triple threat with the Odyssey, Sienna and MPV respectively, three vehicles that critics and owners place highest in desirability.

The Entourage will be larger than most of its competitors, being that it is based on the full-size Sonata/Azera architecture, and therefore will use all of its 3.8-liter V6 engines expected 265-horsepower, optimized by an efficient five-speed automatic transmission. Like the majority of import rivals, it will only be offered in a long-wheelbase configuration.

Hyundai will bring the Entourage to market very well equipped, and like the Kia Sedona, for a lower price than its domestic competitors starkly outfitted base models. (Photo: Kia Motors America) align="justify">Most likely, Hyundai will bring the Entourage to market very well equipped, and for a lower price than its domestic competitors starkly outfitted base models. Expect standard traction and stability control, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, and a full assortment of airbags - two up front and one side-impact bag for each outside passenger in all of its three rows.

The third row of seats will no doubt fold flat into the cargo floor, but it is not known yet if Hyundai will offer a flat folding second row, such as the class-leading Stow n Go system offered by Chrysler Group. The majority of van-makers make due with a middle row that features flat-folding seatbacks, or a second row that folds down further,

Potential Entourage owners, like 2006 Kia Sedona buyers, can be certain of a high level of quality, from fit and finish of the interior and exterior, to overall dependability. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

but still not flat into the floor. Additional minivan features, such as a drivers side sliding door for access to the rear seats and DVD-based infotainment systems should also be part of the Entourage package.

One thing that potential Entourage owners can be certain of is a high level of quality, both perceived quality, or in other words the quality of materials, plus fit and finish of the interior and exterior, and overall dependability. The Sonata that the new van will derive much of its architecture and componentry from is rated most reliable in North America by Consumer Reports, and second ahead of all midsize sedan entries other than the Chevrolet Malibu, in J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Initial Quality Study (IQS); while the brand overall is rated higher than Honda in that same IQS.

Page:  1

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo