SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.

*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories.

Launch report: We meet the Hyundai H1 diesel MPV

This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a prepared course chosen to make the product look good. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.

Pics supplied by importer

Wishes do come true

When the petrol version of the Hyundai H1 9-seater bus and its panel van sibling were introduced at this time last year, the journos present said: “Nice, but where’s the diesel?” Wishes do come true and Hyundai unveiled a diesel version of its popular people mover at a function in Johannesburg recently.

 The 2,4 litre petrol version currently occupies second place in its segment behind Mercedes Benz’s Vito, and is especially popular as a company bus, with rental companies, and in the tourism industry. Other suggested applications include use by retirement homes and larger “second marriage” families.

Diesel power comes courtesy of a 2 497 cc DOHC 16-valve common rail unit putting out 120 kW at 3 800 rpm and 392 Nm of torque at 2 000 rpm. It is also more flexible than the petrol version. Although claimed maximum speed is the same at 182 km/h, the oil burner gets to the 100 km/h mark 2 seconds quicker and acceleration from 60 to 100 is noticeably more rapid.

The diesel version is only available as a 5-speed automatic, which probably suits its intended roles better than a manual shifter would. A nice touch added since last year is a rear window washer and wiper; another item your buddies in the motoring press called for.

What has not changed is the all-leather interior with seating for eight, if those in the front seats want to use the centre console with cupholders and oddment tray, or nine if the third front row seat is called into service. Four additional vents with fan speed and temperature adjustments distribute air-conditioning in the rear.

Unlike conventional MPVs, the H1 does not make use of “occasional” foldaway seats in the third row; all are full sized units made for everyday use. All backrests recline and the middle row of seats adjusts fore and aft.  It also boasts the biggest luggage area in its class, capable of swallowing eight golf bags or nine medium suitcases. Sliding rear doors on both sides provide easy entry and exit.

The H1’s front engine, rear drive layout with short bonnet allows for a substantial front crumple zone.  There is a series of reinforced ‘rings’ aligned with key body pillars and linked with them across the floor and roof, with side impact protection beams in all four doors. An all-disc braking system with four-channel ABS and electronic control of the fore-and-aft distribution of hydraulic pressure ensures maximum retardation even when fully laden. Dual airbags and front seatbelts equipped with pre-tensioners are fitted. The bus gained four stars in ANCAP (Australian) crash testing.

Comfort is taken care of by McPherson struts with gas filled dampers in front and a five-link coil spring system in the rear, coupled with widest-in-class front and rear track widths. Handling characteristics are car-like, with confident road holding. Hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering reduces effort required in tight situations. We found the H-1 easy to park with its generous glass area, substantial mirrors and the park distance control (PDC) system fitted to the rear bumper.

Far from being boring and utilitarian by comparison with its petrol-powered sister, the Hyundai H1 diesel MPV could actually become the graceful swan of the family.

The numbers

Price: R359 900

Engine: 2 497 cc DOHC 16-valve four cylinder CRD

Power: 120 kW at 3 800 rpm

Torque: 393 Nm at 2 000 rpm

Zero to 100 km/h (claimed): 14,5 seconds

Maximum speed (claimed): 182 km/h

Average fuel consumption (claimed): 10,1 l/100 km

Tank: 75 litres

Warranty: 5 years/150 000 km

Service plan: 5 years/100 000 km

Service intervals: 15 000 km

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

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