Car Test
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R0261 | |
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August 2002 |
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| Hyundai Trajet | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 2.0 GSi | |
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Say what you like about Hyundai, you can’t deny that it doesn’t offer a huge range of models. There’s something for everyone, from the baby Amica, right up to this whopper.
The Trajet is the Korean company’s first stab at a full-size MPV, and rather than innovate, it’s chosen to emulate its big-brother rivals. So, it’s a conventional seven-seater, with five of the heavy and cumbersome individual seat tumble-folding or lifting out in familiar fashion. Alas, there are no clever Zafira-style back seats folding tricks here. The front ‘captain’s chairs’ swivel to face the rear, however, and all three centre seats slide fore and aft. The result is generous kneeroom (though foot space is tight) and it also ekes out space for the two occupants at the back – who are never too cramped, anyway. The original two-litre petrol engine is now joined by a two-litre turbo-diesel and an automatic-only 2.7-litre V6. These are worth considering if you regularly travel with a full load, because, even when lightly laden, this petrol two-litre is woefully lacking in acceleration below 3000rpm. If you keep the revs well up, with plenty of use of the (fortunately slick) gearchange, hill climbing is less doleful and progress generally is a good deal more acceptable. Cruising is unstressed, in any case. It’s only on patchy B-roads that the suspension feels firm and jiggly; otherwise the ride is compliant and comfortably cushioned. It can, however, feel floaty on rises and dips, which won’t please bad sailors. The Trajet’s weight and bulk don’t encourage exuberant bend-swinging, yet this portly people-carrier has sensibly geared steering and corners with composure if not agility. With the five rear head restraints removed (or the seatbacks folded) all-round vision is excellent from the height-adjustable driving seat. Tall drivers will wish for more rearward seat travel, however, and the steering wheel is only adjustable for rake. The bold instruments and major controls are well sited. Although the Trajet lacks the top quality fit and finish of its costlier competitors, it makes amends with the quantity of its convenience features, including air conditioning, table tops and storage areas galore, sunglasses holders, roof lights and a trio of power sockets. With all the seats in place, there’s ‘boot’ space for only a pile of squashy bags, but risk a rupture by manhandling out all the back chairs and you’ve got yourself a warehouse on wheels. |
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