The findings of a "true" minivan man
The Entourage is Hyundai's first full-size minivan. 2008 marks the second year of its production. As with other Hyundai products of late, the Entourage adheres to Hyundai's strategy of over-delivering on its products. There are no fundamental changes for 2008 in this oft overlooked high-value competitor to the better-known rigs from Honda, Toyota and Dodge/Chrysler.
As an automotive journalist, I have driven many minivans and repeatedly exercised my role as critic yet I have never owned a minivan. A non-journalist colleague of mine has enjoyed - or is that "tolerated" - minivan ownership for close to a decade. With four children, a dog and spouse his experience with this sensible yet maligned - some might even say "hideous" - mode of transport bestows upon him much more insight into minivan qualities and quirks than I could ever hope to acquire- not that there's anything wrong with that.
To protect our minivan expert from further ridicule within his chosen profession and the community in which he resides I shall refer to him as Jamie M. The words that follow are his.
I was given the opportunity to drive a new minivan recently - a 2008 Hyundai Entourage Limited. Today's minivans are much more refined than they were 10-years ago. I purchased a 1997 Dodge Caravan some time ago as practical transportation for my large family. My co-workers did not share my minivan sentiments, as SUVs were viewed as more appealing people haulers at the time. Consequently, I endured plenty of "minivan" ribbing over the years. Despite the teasing I felt my van looked like a Dodge Durango from the rear, and in my mind that gave me the best of both worlds.
I'm now in the market to replace the ailing Caravan, and was delighted to take a spin in the new Entourage. Here are some of my thoughts on the vehicle.
Likes:
The Entourage is Hyundai's first full-size minivan. 2008 marks the second year of its production. As with other Hyundai products of late, the Entourage adheres to Hyundai's strategy of over-delivering on its products. There are no fundamental changes for 2008 in this oft overlooked high-value competitor to the better-known rigs from Honda, Toyota and Dodge/Chrysler.
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| The Entourage is Hyundai's first full-size minivan. |
As an automotive journalist, I have driven many minivans and repeatedly exercised my role as critic yet I have never owned a minivan. A non-journalist colleague of mine has enjoyed - or is that "tolerated" - minivan ownership for close to a decade. With four children, a dog and spouse his experience with this sensible yet maligned - some might even say "hideous" - mode of transport bestows upon him much more insight into minivan qualities and quirks than I could ever hope to acquire- not that there's anything wrong with that.
To protect our minivan expert from further ridicule within his chosen profession and the community in which he resides I shall refer to him as Jamie M. The words that follow are his.
I was given the opportunity to drive a new minivan recently - a 2008 Hyundai Entourage Limited. Today's minivans are much more refined than they were 10-years ago. I purchased a 1997 Dodge Caravan some time ago as practical transportation for my large family. My co-workers did not share my minivan sentiments, as SUVs were viewed as more appealing people haulers at the time. Consequently, I endured plenty of "minivan" ribbing over the years. Despite the teasing I felt my van looked like a Dodge Durango from the rear, and in my mind that gave me the best of both worlds.
I'm now in the market to replace the ailing Caravan, and was delighted to take a spin in the new Entourage. Here are some of my thoughts on the vehicle.
Likes:
- fully loaded Limited model has an upscale, refined feel
- car-like driving manners - good visibility
- supportive leather seats / very effective seat heating system
- large 10" fold down DVD screen for the kids
- power side doors and tailgate
- smooth engine - lots of low end torque
- 4-wheel disc brakes provide good stopping power
- large glass sunroof
- ease of rear fold-down third row seats - lots of cargo room
- 5-year, 100,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty
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| The vehicle's practical side is an assortment of storage cubbies and bins. |