When the need arises to maximize the cargo hold, the third row seat
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| Rear seats fold flat into the floor. Looks like someone's been paying attention to Stow 'N Go. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
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 Entourage's 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, Hyundai's 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
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| 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) |
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 Hyundai's commitment to safety and occupant protection.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard, keeping the
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| Yes, your eyes are indeed correct: this is an automatic transmission gearshift leaver complete with a manual mode - in a minivan. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
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
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| Tighter gaps, isolated subframes, better sound insulation, and greater attention paid to detail make the Entourage as smooth and silent as a sedan. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
safety well covered, it's 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.
