2007 Hyundai Entourage Road Test
Hyundai Rocks the Minivan World
At every opportunity the reps from Hyundai have emphasized the companys commitment to exceed consumer expectations in their drive to over-deliver on quality and content in every price class and market segment. The chain of evidence validating their “over-delivery” includes the new Sonata and Azera sedans, both of which won AJACs Car of the Year award in their respective categories. Enter the Entourage: Hyundais first attempt at a minivan for the North American market.
I joined the entourage of auto journalists in attendance at Hyundais launch of the 2007 Entourage, and came away impressed; Hyundai appears to have widened their “over-delivery” margin of success. The Entourage is a full-size, V6-powered, 7-occupant front-wheel-drive minivan, capable of holding its own against the big-3 in its hotly contested market: Hondas Odyssey, Toyotas Sienna and the Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town and Country duo. Persuasive to minivan buyers may not be the edge in interior room the Entourage has over the trio of usual suspects, or its better-stocked larder, but rather its lower pricing, set at $23,795 at the bottom end ($20 more than the Sienna), with its fully loaded limited model pricing yet to be finalized; but it should undercut the competition from Japan (pricing could decrease before it goes on sale). And its the two major players from Japan - Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna - that the Entourage is best measured against.
It is inherently difficult to infuse a minivan design with flair and distinction. To some degree they all look alike, which is to say - not very exciting. Although the Entourage doesnt shatter the mold, it does project a clean, uncluttered, well proportioned image thats just as appealing, if not more so than any other example in todays wide array of minivan offerings. The same findings hold true for its interior styling: attractive, clean and highly functional, but not record-breaking. Yet the conservatism exercised by Hyundai designers in the overall execution of the Entourage has netted a refined-looking people hauler with upscale appeal - and as with Hyundais recently introduced Azera, the “upscale” factor is more than skin deep.Â
The Entourage is manufactured on the same Korean assembly line that spits out Kias new Sedona minivan. In fact the two vehicles are based on the same automotive platform; however, Hyundais van receives a collection of Entourage-exclusive components and build techniques making it the more affluent cousin to the highly praised Sedona. At 202 inches in length, the Entourage is larger than much of its competition including the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey - but only by an inch or two. Despite its size, maximum seating in the Entourage is limited to seven. The only seating arrangement includes captains chairs in the first and second row and a split-bench, three-position third-row seat.
When it comes to accommodating either human or inanimate cargo, the Entourage exhibits yoga-like flexibility beginning with its large, power-operated rear side doors. They open wide enough to allow easy access to the third row bench once the second row seat is flipped forward. Guests in the third row seat will enjoy plenty of legroom thanks to second row seats that slide fore and aft, fairly apportioning legroom.
When the need arises to maximize the cargo hold, the third row seat can easily be dropped section by section into the massive well at the rear of the vehicle. Doing so increases the cargo area from 32 cubic feet to 80 cubic feet. Fold and pivot the second row chairs forward to increase the space; remove them to acquire the Entourages maximum cargo volume of 141.5 cubic feet - just a few cubic feet short of a black hole. Should - contrary to everything we have learned from scientific observation - the black hole become full, remaining cartage can be strapped to the roof rails atop the Entourage. Whether fully loaded or traveling light, Hyundais new van is more than capable of a little spark when its 242 horses are set free.
Hyundai has placed the same well-polished 3.8-liter (232 cu in) DOHC V6 engine, equipped with Constant Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), in the Entourage that deftly powers the luxurious Azera. This feisty mill generates 242-horsepower and 251 foot-pounds of torque, all of which is fed through a well-mannered, smooth functioning five-speed automatic transmission featuring a manual-shift mode - the first minivan to include a DIY tranny. This drivetrain is clearly as refined as any powering the competition. It performs unobtrusively while only becoming noticeably audible when heavily tasked. Accompanying its refined growl is spirited performance on par with the Big Three mentioned earlier.
Reining in the easily achieved speed is a full set of ventilated, antilock disc brakes augmented with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). These binders felt strong and predictable while delivering emergency stops quickly and effortlessly - but impressive braking is just the start of Hyundais commitment to safety and occupant protection.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard, keeping the big Entourage pointed down the road and not down the embankment. Traction control is also standard across the Entourage line. A full complement of airbags is also standard, including seat-mounted side airbags for driver and front passenger, plus full-length side curtain airbags covering all three rows of seats. To use a bowling term, Hyundai has scored a “strike” in safety, missing nothing in its pursuit to make the Entourage a safety leader among minivans. They have even included active front-seat head restraints as standard equipment across the board, something other minivan manufacturers have yet to do.
With safety well covered, its time to turn a wheel. From the moment I twisted its key and placed its conveniently located shifter in “D,” I knew the Entourage was going to please. Like an English Lord, it imparted an immediate sense of civility and good breeding. Okay, that may be over the top, but you get my point. By focusing on noise, vibration and harshness, Hyundai engineers succeeded in attaining world-class minivan quietness. Analysis was undertaken to determine the ideal sound absorption materials for each body component. In addition, a sub-frame was utilized to isolate engine noise while body panels were strengthened and side glass thickened to reduce road noise. The outcome is a big box that rides as quietly as a dignified sedan - and quite possibly as smooth.
The Entourage is underpinned by a four-wheel independent suspension setup comprised of MacPherson struts with coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front, plus a multi-link design with coil springs and a stabilizer bar out back. The calibration of this arrangement favors ride comfort over adroit handling - and why not? This is a family tourer, not a family terror. I enjoyed the smooth, composed, comfortable ride of the Entourage, which by the way doesnt equate to mushy handling. During my testing, the roomy van proved to be secure through high-speed sweepers and nimble throughout jigsaws thanks in part to its rack-and-pinion, rpm-sensing steering. However, along with the pleasure of serenely unraveling miles of highway ribbon comes a couple of minor irritations, particularly for those with long legs.
While headroom throughout the Entourage is more than ample, legroom in the executive chair isnt. After several hours behind the wheel I was wishing I could move the drivers seat further rearward, allowing a little more stretch, but alas the seat had already given all it had. In keeping with the leg-related lament, the foot-operated parking brake location conflicted with my left ankle. These minor irritants aside, cruising the day away in the Entourage is a pleasure. It practically drives itself, but dont rely upon it for directions; a navigation system is not currently available. Dont let this single omission taint your view; Hyundais philosophy of over-delivering on engineering, quality and equipment is well represented elsewhere in the Entourage. As a Hyundai rep so eloquently put it, the Entourage contains many “surprise and delight” features, especially at the entry level.
Hyundai has worked hard over the last few years to design and build vehicles people want to own and can trust. Rather than marching to the penny-pinching beat of an accountant-composed leadership team, Hyundai personnel are led into battle by a team of engineers. Along with a philosophical shift that made “quality” the law, Hyundai has re-birthed itself and is now producing some of the most reliable, high-value automobiles available worldwide, and the Entourage is but another example of their success. Expect it to rock the minivan world.
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Entourage is Hyundais first North American minivan. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)
Hyundai went the whole hog with this one - 7-seats, big V6... (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)
Hyundais minivan is yet another highly impressive upscale product. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)
Entourage is a twin to Kias Sedona. But thats not a bad thing at all in this case. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)
Rear seats fold flat into the floor. Looks like someones been paying attention to Stow N Go. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)
Big-bore 3.8-liter V6 with variable valve timing produces 251 lb-ft of torque. That should be plenty to move seven and luggage. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)
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