Hyundai H1 Deluxe
As Hyundai says: Big on Space. Big on comfort. Big on features.
When you see the H-1 for the first time, the most striking thing about it is the sheer scale. At 5 125 mm, it’s longer than a Mercedes S-Class, but at 1 925 mm high, it is even more noticeable. These dimensions pay dividends inside, where there is space aplenty. While some seven-seaters have small extra seats for occasional use in the back, the Hyundai is more like a ‘minibus’ in proportions.
When you see the H-1 for the first time, the most striking thing about it is the sheer scale. At 5 125 mm, it’s longer than a Mercedes S-Class, but at 1 925 mm high, it is even more noticeable. These dimensions pay dividends inside, where there is space aplenty. While some seven-seaters have small extra seats for occasional use in the back, the Hyundai is more like a ‘minibus’ in proportions.
The Hyundai H1 Deluxe take Hyundai to the front in the standard or medium size MPV segment. The Koreans have got it just right. A willing engine, good road holding, space and excellent build quality. It is also good looking and a pleasure to drive. I was impressed.
The H1 Deluxe drive and handle like a car. They are very easy to drive. Not intimidating at all. The MPV will seat 11 adults in comfort although the front row can theoretically seat a 12'th passenger.
What’s good
The H1 has sliding doors on both sides making for very easy access to the rear seats. Seats are comfortable, especially the front seats and the drivers position is highly adjustable, and the Deluxe comes with leather upholstery. The driving position is excellent and the all round visibility is especially good and all controls in easy reach. Not only is there a lot of space but there is a feeling of space too. The H1 is a very good touring vehicle.
The step and grab handles make it easy to get into and to exit. The cabin is well designed with a myriad storage spaces and a good feel to it. The quality of interior finishes and materials is excellent as is the switchgear and controls which feel solid and work well, being very intuitive. It is a pleasant place to be.
The H1 has dual airbags upfront, front seat belts equipped with pretensioners are fitted, alloy wheels, ventilated disc brakes with ABS, EBD and ESC ensures safety is looked after, and it achieved a 4-star rating in the Australian version of the Euro NCAP awards.
The HyundaI H1’s build quality is excellent. No rattles or squeaks and doors close with a satisfying solid sounding klunk.
Excellent air-conditioner with under and over seat vents and there are temperature and speed control for the back vents, courtesy lights for the doors and at the back, a good and easy to use effective sound system which is MP3/USB/Aux/iPod compatible.
The exterior styling is very clean and pleasing to the eye. The H1 looks solidly planted on the road.
The interior has been cleverly thought out and boasts numerous practical features, like the middle seats in row 2 and 3 can be folded down, and used as a storage area with drinks holders and a tray to put things.
What’s bad
Some interior finishes are a little hard.
To some the looks are a little too conservative and commercial. But so are the competition in this price segment.
It could be argued that it is a little small compared to the Mercedes Viano CDI 2.2 but so are the price, and to many the cost savings and the smaller size may be a plus.
The petrol engines do this vehicle a disservice. They are underpowered and feel anaemic.
The H1 doesn't have a lot of space in the back if you need luggage space for 7 or especially all 9 rear passengers.
Front dual passenger bench a waste of space. It’s a dual seat bench and a separate driver’s seat (obviously) but the middle-section of the dual bench seat is completely useless, it runs right up against the centre-console. Seriously, even a five-year old would immediately climb over to the back to the second row seats. You can fold the middle seatback down to render a shallow stowage space with dual cup holders, but they should have simply made it a single passenger seat up front, and bolted in a nice, capacious load bin. It’s an inexplicable waste of space as it stands.
Driving impression
The H1 drives like a big car. The H1 is easy to manoeuvre and to drive. Steering requires only a light touch and the brakes are excellent and work well and predictable. There's relatively little body roll for a car of this size and height. Despite it being a very windy day, the Hyundai felt stable and sure-footed and no passengers was complaining about the seating or ride. The 2.5 diesel engine is both frugal and responsive with 125kW of power and 441 Nm of torque at 2 000 giving the H1 plenty of usable power and torque and top speed of 180km/h for easy cruising at the legal limit, and the H1 never strains to carry its load. The automatic gearbox has been very well matched to the CRDi VGT engine which gives good consumption figures of around 10 litres/100km, and these drops on the open road to around 8. Hyundai claims a 0 to 100 time of 14.9 seconds and 60 to 100 km/h of 8.7 seconds. Acceleration in real life (especially when overtaking) and at high speed are both good for this type of vehicle. It almost feels nippy. It’s like driving a large powerful car, even around corners.
It is easy to park because you can see all 4 corners and the steering is light. The park distance control system with the reverse camera in this Deluxe model makes parking a breeze, as it is quite a wide vehicle at around 2 m and more than 5 m long.
We enjoyed driving the H1. Although it is a big vehicle, it is urban friendly.
Conclusion:
The H1 is a winner, waiting to be discovered. It is one of the most practical pleasant cars I have tested in Thailand, and my wife and children loved it, and so did I. With the addition of the more powerful 2.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine to the package which has a cavernous interior, excellent cabin, superb equipment levels and good road manners, the H1 has all it takes to dominate the medium MPV segment, if it wasn't for Toyota's dominant position in the Thai market. There is not a better buy. I recommend the more powerful diesel version in the Deluxe, which also comes with a 7" LCD for the Reversing camera and Navigation up front and with a 10.1" LCD with DVD and USB in the roof to entertain the passengers. Drive the Hyundai and you will probably choose it above the competition, especially when you factor in the price.
The H1 Deluxe drive and handle like a car. They are very easy to drive. Not intimidating at all. The MPV will seat 11 adults in comfort although the front row can theoretically seat a 12'th passenger.
What’s good
The H1 has sliding doors on both sides making for very easy access to the rear seats. Seats are comfortable, especially the front seats and the drivers position is highly adjustable, and the Deluxe comes with leather upholstery. The driving position is excellent and the all round visibility is especially good and all controls in easy reach. Not only is there a lot of space but there is a feeling of space too. The H1 is a very good touring vehicle.
The step and grab handles make it easy to get into and to exit. The cabin is well designed with a myriad storage spaces and a good feel to it. The quality of interior finishes and materials is excellent as is the switchgear and controls which feel solid and work well, being very intuitive. It is a pleasant place to be.
The H1 has dual airbags upfront, front seat belts equipped with pretensioners are fitted, alloy wheels, ventilated disc brakes with ABS, EBD and ESC ensures safety is looked after, and it achieved a 4-star rating in the Australian version of the Euro NCAP awards.
The HyundaI H1’s build quality is excellent. No rattles or squeaks and doors close with a satisfying solid sounding klunk.
Excellent air-conditioner with under and over seat vents and there are temperature and speed control for the back vents, courtesy lights for the doors and at the back, a good and easy to use effective sound system which is MP3/USB/Aux/iPod compatible.
The exterior styling is very clean and pleasing to the eye. The H1 looks solidly planted on the road.
The interior has been cleverly thought out and boasts numerous practical features, like the middle seats in row 2 and 3 can be folded down, and used as a storage area with drinks holders and a tray to put things.
What’s bad
Some interior finishes are a little hard.
To some the looks are a little too conservative and commercial. But so are the competition in this price segment.
It could be argued that it is a little small compared to the Mercedes Viano CDI 2.2 but so are the price, and to many the cost savings and the smaller size may be a plus.
The petrol engines do this vehicle a disservice. They are underpowered and feel anaemic.
The H1 doesn't have a lot of space in the back if you need luggage space for 7 or especially all 9 rear passengers.
Front dual passenger bench a waste of space. It’s a dual seat bench and a separate driver’s seat (obviously) but the middle-section of the dual bench seat is completely useless, it runs right up against the centre-console. Seriously, even a five-year old would immediately climb over to the back to the second row seats. You can fold the middle seatback down to render a shallow stowage space with dual cup holders, but they should have simply made it a single passenger seat up front, and bolted in a nice, capacious load bin. It’s an inexplicable waste of space as it stands.
Driving impression
The H1 drives like a big car. The H1 is easy to manoeuvre and to drive. Steering requires only a light touch and the brakes are excellent and work well and predictable. There's relatively little body roll for a car of this size and height. Despite it being a very windy day, the Hyundai felt stable and sure-footed and no passengers was complaining about the seating or ride. The 2.5 diesel engine is both frugal and responsive with 125kW of power and 441 Nm of torque at 2 000 giving the H1 plenty of usable power and torque and top speed of 180km/h for easy cruising at the legal limit, and the H1 never strains to carry its load. The automatic gearbox has been very well matched to the CRDi VGT engine which gives good consumption figures of around 10 litres/100km, and these drops on the open road to around 8. Hyundai claims a 0 to 100 time of 14.9 seconds and 60 to 100 km/h of 8.7 seconds. Acceleration in real life (especially when overtaking) and at high speed are both good for this type of vehicle. It almost feels nippy. It’s like driving a large powerful car, even around corners.
It is easy to park because you can see all 4 corners and the steering is light. The park distance control system with the reverse camera in this Deluxe model makes parking a breeze, as it is quite a wide vehicle at around 2 m and more than 5 m long.
We enjoyed driving the H1. Although it is a big vehicle, it is urban friendly.
Conclusion:
The H1 is a winner, waiting to be discovered. It is one of the most practical pleasant cars I have tested in Thailand, and my wife and children loved it, and so did I. With the addition of the more powerful 2.5 CRDi VGT diesel engine to the package which has a cavernous interior, excellent cabin, superb equipment levels and good road manners, the H1 has all it takes to dominate the medium MPV segment, if it wasn't for Toyota's dominant position in the Thai market. There is not a better buy. I recommend the more powerful diesel version in the Deluxe, which also comes with a 7" LCD for the Reversing camera and Navigation up front and with a 10.1" LCD with DVD and USB in the roof to entertain the passengers. Drive the Hyundai and you will probably choose it above the competition, especially when you factor in the price.
In the front, there are three seats with ample space around them, behind which sit two rows of three permanent chairs. Clamber up into the drivers seat, aided by the handy grab handles and the ambience is far more car-like than other minibus style rivals. Two-tone interior trim, leather seats, tinted glass, a six-speaker audio system and ducted air conditioning throughout. Individually-controllable overhead vents in the rear make sure all of the occupants can keep their cool, even if you are the ten year old sprog relegated right to the back.
Passenger mobility through the huge sliding doors, fitted on both sides, couldn't be easier. For entry into the back, the second row of seats may easily be moved and their backs pushed forward. All seats are perfectly comfortable for adults and, as the middle row’s position is adjustable, legroom can be varied to suit. There’s a great view of the road ahead and visibility is superb through the huge windscreen and small side ‘quarter lights’. The large mirrors and standard-fit parking sensors help to take the stress out of tight manoeuvres. I was able to swing the van into bottom-clenchingly small parking spots with ease. This is, in part thanks to its hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering and 5.61 m turning circle. Oh yes, and the PDC system fitted to the rear bumper helps quite a bit too.
Those oversized proportions yield simply vast interior space. No kidding, if your five-year old gets lost between the second and fourth row of seats, you'll have to set aside an entire afternoon to find him or her again. The H1 interior is simply massive, quality redoubtable throughout.
Typically Korean, the interior is feature laden and assembled at a standard of perceived build quality comparable to anything Europe can muster.
The H1 Deluxe sports a full complement of leather seats, independent front and rear air-conditioning (featuring both roof and floor mounted vents for the rear passengers) and slideable windows in the side doors.
Passenger access and debussing is easy thanks to the H1’s dual sliding doors. Third and fourth row seating is simply an under-seat straight-bar tug and push away, as the second row of seats slide forward quite easily on the floor-runners, which are well insulated from sand intrusion with comprehensive rubber protectors covering their grooves.
The Cabins is well appointed, trim a bit light, those seats are sure to take abuse with regular use.
In true Hyundai fashion H1 is an awfully easy vehicle to drive. Ergonomics are sound, visibility good and controls light. The only serious issue I had was the bizarre front middle seat arrangement.
When up to speed the H1 has decent road manners. Sound insulation is good, and the ride is entirely acceptable. H1 has the interior space, features and competitive pricing to be a runaway success.
Passenger mobility through the huge sliding doors, fitted on both sides, couldn't be easier. For entry into the back, the second row of seats may easily be moved and their backs pushed forward. All seats are perfectly comfortable for adults and, as the middle row’s position is adjustable, legroom can be varied to suit. There’s a great view of the road ahead and visibility is superb through the huge windscreen and small side ‘quarter lights’. The large mirrors and standard-fit parking sensors help to take the stress out of tight manoeuvres. I was able to swing the van into bottom-clenchingly small parking spots with ease. This is, in part thanks to its hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering and 5.61 m turning circle. Oh yes, and the PDC system fitted to the rear bumper helps quite a bit too.
Those oversized proportions yield simply vast interior space. No kidding, if your five-year old gets lost between the second and fourth row of seats, you'll have to set aside an entire afternoon to find him or her again. The H1 interior is simply massive, quality redoubtable throughout.
Typically Korean, the interior is feature laden and assembled at a standard of perceived build quality comparable to anything Europe can muster.
The H1 Deluxe sports a full complement of leather seats, independent front and rear air-conditioning (featuring both roof and floor mounted vents for the rear passengers) and slideable windows in the side doors.
Passenger access and debussing is easy thanks to the H1’s dual sliding doors. Third and fourth row seating is simply an under-seat straight-bar tug and push away, as the second row of seats slide forward quite easily on the floor-runners, which are well insulated from sand intrusion with comprehensive rubber protectors covering their grooves.
The Cabins is well appointed, trim a bit light, those seats are sure to take abuse with regular use.
In true Hyundai fashion H1 is an awfully easy vehicle to drive. Ergonomics are sound, visibility good and controls light. The only serious issue I had was the bizarre front middle seat arrangement.
When up to speed the H1 has decent road manners. Sound insulation is good, and the ride is entirely acceptable. H1 has the interior space, features and competitive pricing to be a runaway success.