Review
/5
- Pros:
- Space for up to eight people
- Decent to drive
- Five-year warranty
- Cons:
- Slightly underpowered engine
- Middle seats can't be folded or removed
- Boxy van styling
reviewed by Carbuyer
“The spacious and practical i800 makes sense for drivers who need to transport a lot of people and plenty of luggage.”
At a glance
- The greenest
- Style 2.5 CRDi 136PS 5dr
£21,660 - The cheapest
- Style 2.5 CRDi 136PS 5dr
£21,660 - The fastest
- 2.5 CRDi Style auto (Euro V) 5dr
£23,820 - Top of the range
- 2.5 CRDi Style auto (Euro V) 5dr
£23,820
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The spacious and practical Hyundai i800 is a van-based family car with five doors and room for up to eight passengers. Launched in 2008, it boasts a decent amount of kit, including family-friendly touches such as an MP3 compatible stereo and air-conditioning that has separate controls for the second row of seats, plus a driver-friendly Electronic Stability Programme to help keep control of what is such a large car. Its 168bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine is decent, at best, but the i800 is good value for motorists who need a lot of room – especially when you take into account Hyundai's five-year warranty.
Drive
Hyundai holds its own
You probably won’t want sports car performance from an eight-seater – which is just as well. Still, the 168bhp 2.5-litre diesel does outperform the rival VW Caravelle Startline, and although performance is far from brisk, there is some grunt for overtaking when you really need it.
Comfort
Plenty of room, good kit levels
Inside, the i800 feels more like a car than a van, yet its vast length of 5,125mm means you won’t be short of space – unless you are an adult in the eighth seat on a long journey. Air-conditioning that can be adjusted from the second row of seats adds to the comfort rating, while MP3, USB and aux-in capability allows for plenty of in-car entertainment.
Reliability
Big dimensions give sense of safety
The i800's basic van roots mean it should be durable and reliable. The car's sheer bulk is reassuring for both the driver and passengers. There is a built-in step to reach the cabin, so you feel well protected even when the car is fully loaded. Its bulk means it's not the easiest car to drive, especially on narrow roads. Standard-fit electronic stability control offers reassurance for the driver.
Practicality
Vast size, but it's not that versatile
Not many family vehicles can seat eight and still boast luggage area of 851 litres, so the i800 certainly has bags of room. However, while the middle bench slides back and forth, it doesn’t fold and can’t be easily removed, so the i800 isn't as versatile as some of its rivals.
Value for money
Price tag is competitive
There's good and bad news. On the plus side, the i800 represents decent value and there's a generous amount of standard kit. The five-year warranty is another big plus point. On the down side, the Hyundai badge doesn’t stand up as well as some its competitors, resulting in steeper depreciation.
Running costs
Be aware of mounting costs
It's diesel powered, but unfortunately the big 2.5-litre motor and the i800's bluff shape dents fuel economy. Returning 33.2mpg Hyundai's largest model will prove costly as you rack up the miles on longer journeys. To a degree, that is to be expected for such a big machine.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
