Hyundai i-Max, continues to tick all the right boxes as an affordable, family-friendly people mover. Buying a sports car is a purchase of passion, that’s made with the heart, but for a people mover the table is turned – the decision is all about function and must be made with the head.
The reason for buying a people mover is to transport more passengers than a family sedan; and this is where the Hyundai iMax shines. Plenty of vehicles, both people movers and 4WD SUVs, can seat seven or eight but in most cases their primary focus is elsewhere and they don’t take care of the passengers nearly as well as the iMax.
There is no denying the iMax is a big van with commercial origins but the massive interior has been put to excellent use, while subtle mechanical refinements transform it from a solid workhorse into a family-oriented people mover that’s ideal for everyday use.
The practical approach starts with large sliding doors on either side providing easier access to the second and third rows than most others. The iMax seats eight adults in relative comfort. Not only can adults sit in the third row without having their legs crushed or hitting their head every time the vehicle hits a bump, there is still plenty of luggage space – a rarity in most people movers or SUVs. iMax has enough width to fit three child seats across the middle row seat - a major plus for parents, while the cavernous interior makes getting kids in and out much easier than most vehicles. The seats however don’t have all the clever folding functions of some people movers, while the interior trimming has a durable rather than opulent appearance.
Complementing its strong ‘design and function’, the iMax also does well in the value for money stakes with affordable pricing, low servicing costs and a reassuring five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. It doesn’t get some luxury features found in a few others but iMax’s kit is astutely chosen for its intended purpose. Bluetooth and iPod integration have been added this year, in keeping with current trends.
Once you climb in and start to drive it, the potentially intimidating size of the iMax seems to shrink. At the wheel, the presentation is straightforward with clear instrumentation, well placed switches and light controls. The high seating position creates a commanding view while big exterior mirrors and standard reverse parking sensors help make driving easier. Even so, you are still very aware of its size in shopping centre car parks.
When hurried through corners, the handling of this big rear-wheel-drive van is not as nimble as some of its smaller front-wheel-drive competitors but the people movers are not intended to be driven like a sports car. The soft, coil spring suspension is well controlled and provides a comfortable ride, whether empty or loaded on rough as well as smooth roads. Performance of the diesel, although not class leading, is good for a people mover and noticeably better than the petrol version. Hyundai has added the safety of electronic stability control to the petrol which puts it up with the diesel on our scoring table. The petrol version has the advantage of a lower price but the diesel’s on-road ability is much stronger.
The i-Max feels solidly constructed and its fit and finish is in keeping with the class standards.
To view other winners of Australia's Best Cars visit, http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au/2011/
