H1 ‘artisanal’ but holds its own
I FIRST drove Hyundai’s H1 before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. I’ve driven it in most of its guises at regular intervals ever since – more than any other vehicle I’ve tested – including the van/passenger configuration, which provides about half a ton of load carrying and room for five people up front.
I drove it again recently, not one fresh off the showroom floor, but one that had amassed a healthy 20 000km on the clock.
It’s amazing, but I’ve never been disappointed by this vehicle. Often favourite cars suffer from model creep, like the Toyota Yaris, which partly morphed at one stage into the Aurus, the model above it.
Or you find that what was once endearing has become dated and stale – I often find that when I rediscover old films, books or even albums that were firm favourites decades ago. The H1’s not like that. It hasn’t been updated much, it’s still artisanal, as it were, compared to the other Leviathans on the road; analogue to their digital; but it still holds its own.
The nine-seater bus comes with two engine options, a 2.4litre petrol or a 2.5-litre turbo diesel with an automatic fivespeed box, which was the model under review.
The cabin still remains as spacious as ever, having three leather-like bench seats with a possible capacity of nine adults, although the front bench has a split back which folds down to create two seats up front with a handy tray table between driver and passenger.
There’s fore and aft aircon, albeit controlled from the front, and a more than adequate sound system that can take USBs, CDs or your cellphone via an aux cable.
There’s bluetooth for the phone, controls for audio and phone on the steering wheel, and a useful cruise control. There are charging points back and front for the cigarette lighter-style phone and tablet chargers, and convenience reading lights in the back too.
It’s a safe vehicle with air bags, ABS and EBD as standard; central locking; a child lock on the side doors; and “parking by ear” sensors, rather than the rear-view cameras that have become standard in similar models.
And at R499 900 all the way through to R629 900 for the vehicle under test, the H1 still compares extremely favourably with the other nine-seaters on the market – in every respect.
It’s a great vehicle to drive; the turbo diesel has all the power you’ll need on the open road or in town, and it’s quite abstemious in its consumption. There’s space to carry an inter-generational family plus their luggage or to make the vehicle a business tool.
Plus there’s the added benefit of the Hyundai peace of mind; the build quality – as proven after 20 000km, with nary a rattle nor a hint of road noise – the roadside assist, and the generous five-year 150 000km warranties.
If you are ever in the market for one of the Leviathans, if nothing else test the H1 to set the benchmark to compare the others too.