2007 HYUNDAI ENTOURAGE

The Entourage is the first Hyundai minivan to reach our continent. To get it here, Hyundai took the latest generation of the Kia Sedona and spiced it up with their own sauce. It falls in the mid range size for minivans, and comes in four seven-seater versions, all front wheel drive powered by a 3.8 litre V6. Interior and Trunk The front seats proved quite comfortable, though some will find the seatbacks too firm. The driving position is good, but would be better if a bit more space were provided for the left leg. The right seat back can be tilted almost all the way back. The first row bucket seats in the back are comfortable and are adjustable fore and aft. Headroom and legroom are generous. The seats are not too heavy and are reasonably easy to handle, though it’s a bit tight getting them through the side doors. Getting into the rear seats demands a certain flexibility, and only those with short legs can sit once there, legroom being at a premium. The 60/40 split rear seat folds down into its own space to create a flat floor. The cargo area provides easy access and is reasonably roomy given the extra storage space for the rear seat. When the rear seat is folded, it becomes even roomier. Convenience and Safety The interior finish is very well executed and the soundproofing is effective. There are good storage areas including two glove compartments, though there is no console between the front seats. Instead there is a folding cargo shelf, Honda-style. The cup holders struggle with certain kinds of drink containers.

Photo: Hyundai

The instruments and controls are well laid out and everything is lit up for night driving. There is a mirror that allows the driver to see passengers in the back. The air conditioning is effective, but in the “vent” position, it blows air on the feet, which is unpleasant. There are, however, intermediate air settings between the main settings, which is always a useful feature. The functions of the compact disc player are a bit basic, and the “random” setting is cancelled when the engine is turned off. Safety features on the Entourage include two front airbags, two side-impact airbags, two curtain airbags, active front head restraints, four disc brakes with ABS, good headlamps, and excellent visibility in all directions. In particular, the liftgate window comes quite far down, noticeably improving visibility when backing up. The head restraints of the first two rows are not high enough for tall passengers, while the three in the last row are suitable for short people only. In U.S. government tests, the Entourage received five stars out of five for front seat passenger protection in a head-on collision and for all passengers in a side-impact collision. Its rollover resistance earned it four stars. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests for offset head-on collisions, side impacts, and rear impacts yielded a rating of “good,” the highest. These are all excellent results and place the Entourage among the safest minivans. Engine and Transmission The 3.8 litre V6 generates 242 horsepower and 251 pounds of torque, enough to give the Entourage reasonable acceleration and pickup. The engine runs smoothly and revs easily through its range. The accelerator is jumpy at the start when you expect normal acceleration—you have to get used to an excessively quick response up to around 3,000 rpm. For more predictable results, you have to ease up on the pedal, which slows acceleration somewhat. Fuel consumption is a bit higher than its main competitors. The five speed automatic transmission works very smoothly, making gear changes barely noticeable. The spacing between gears is good, and you can start in second gear. On-the-road The four wheel independent suspension delivers a nice smooth ride, swallowing up bumps confidently and doing it all with an air of solidity. Handling is fine with a normal amount of leaning into curves if you approach them with a bit of enthusiasm.

The power steering is well calibrated, stable, precise, and fairly quick. It even transmits a bit of road feel. The turning radius is short, which is always appreciated, particularly in a vehicle of this size. The brakes are powerful but fade a bit after a few emergency stops at highway speed. In a CAA-Quebec Technical Inspection Centre, we noted that the Entourage is built on a sturdy underbody and is very well protected against rust. In the engine compartment, it is impossible to check the level of the windshield-wiper fluid. Conclusion Well built, comfortable, versatile, and nicely equipped, the Entourage has everything to make it an attractive option for minivan lovers. Its drivability and high passive security ratings are extra benefits on top of the affordable pricing and solid warranty. PROS: roomy interior, comfortable first two rows of seats, smooth transmission, good handling, excellent safety ratings, visibility. CONS: limited legroom on the driver’s left, poor access to the back bench seat, imperfect cup holders, somewhat jumpy acceleration, ventilation system that needs work, high fuel consumption.

HYUNDAI ENTOURAGE 2007 Engine: 24-valve, 3.8-litre V6 Horsepower: 242 hp at 6000 rpm Torque: 251 lb-ft at 3500 rpm Transmission: 5-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: 302 cm Length: 513 cm Width: 196 cm Height: 176 cm Weight: 1,996 kg Tires: P225/70R16; P235/60R17 Maximum towing capacity: 1,588 kg Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption: Transport Canada rating: City 13.2 L/100 km (21 mpg) Highway 8.8 L/100 km (31 mpg) Test result: 14 L/100 km (20 mpg) Test temperature: 14°C to 28°C Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres

Fuel requirement: regular grade Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 9.6 seconds 60–100 km/h: 6.1 seconds Competition: Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ford Freestar, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, Nissan Quest, Pontiac Montana SV6, Saturn Relay, Toyota Sienna Warranty:

Full basic coverage: 5 years/100,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 5 years/100,000 km (full coverage);

8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system).

Factory replacement parts:

Rear bumper: $781 Front brake disc: $113 Brake pads: $113 Muffler: $388 Front fender: $255

Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $866 to $1,209 Price according to trim level:

GL: $29,995 GL Comfort: $31,995 GLS: $35,695 GLS Leather: $37,195

Main options: none Price as tested: $31,995 Freight and preparation: $1,545 Dealers: Quebec: 56 Canada: 144 © July 2006. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec