Hyundai Trajet CRTD Range : THEY SELL DIESELS ON THE SALES FLOOR

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Hyundais Trajet MPV makes sense in frugal diesel-powered guise. Jonathan Crouch reports

Korean manufacturers have built a nice little market niche for themselves in selling large MPVs at affordable prices. With European and Japanese rival models starting at around £19,000, big people carriers priced around the £16,000 mark - like the Hyundai Trajet featured here - have taken full opportunity of the established makers greed.

For Hyundai, the major problem at the Trajets launch was the lack of a diesel version. This meant that the company lost out significantly to its similarly-priced arch-rival, the Kia Sedona, a situation which, from British dealers point of view, just couldnt go on. Hence the introduction of the 2.0-litre turbo diesel variant featured here.

Priced at £16,542, the Trajet CRTD costs £1,000 more than the petrol-powered 2.0-litre GSi model on which it is based yet isnt that much slower, recording a rest to sixty time of 14.2s on the way to a maximum speed of some 106mph. Unfortunately, it isnt that much more economical either, with an extra urban figure of 43.

5mpg that is very little different. Overall, you should save about 7mpg by opting for the diesel version: in other words, dont expect to make up the price premium too quickly. Mind you, an average of 37mpg isnt a bad result from a seven-seater vehicle this large, especially when its this comfortable. You get dual airbags, anti-lock brakes (with electronic distribution of the braking forces), remote control central locking with alarm, immobiliser, air conditioning, all-round power windows, power adjusted mirrors, metallic paint, three 12 volt power sockets, roof rails and a CD player all as standard.

"An average of 37mpg isnt a bad result from a seven-seater vehicle this large."

The 111bhp 1991cc 2.0-litre engine that Hyundai are using is one of the modern common rail variety. Without going too deeply into the technicalities, this approach sees fuel squirted directly into the cylinders from a single pipe (the 'common rail') rather than through individual lines. This cleaner, quieter process means a more efficient use of fuel, which in turn leads to better performance and lower fuel consumption. Hyundai would like you to think of it as the diesel engine that performs like a petrol: certainly at speed, you probably wouldn't be able to tell what was under the bonnet. Compared to some of Hyundais recent efforts, the Trajets styling is contemporary and restrained with a minimum of Korean chrome. So it comes as no surprise to learn it was actually styled in Frankfurt, not Seoul. In size terms, the Trajet (pronounced Tra-jay, French for journey) is almost an exact match for the sectors leading lights.

A very mild facelift to the car keeps the Trajet looking fresh to the tune of a revised grille and headlamp set, a smarter set of wheeltrims for base models and the interior also gets a freshening with better looking and harder wearing seat trim. All Trajets now get a third three point seat belt in the rearmost seats, meaning all seven berths get a proper belt. In practical terms the Trajet is a good match for any of its seven-seat rivals though, like most of them, luggage space is somewhat limited with all the seats in use. The front seats swivel to face the back and the five rear chairs can be easily removed (youll need somewhere to store them).

Plus theres a full complement of the seatback trays, cup holders, fold-up trays, map, bottle and pen holders, gloveboxes, reading lights and luggage nets that todays MPV buyers expect. Just as the engine is all Hyundais own work, so, too, are the transmissions. Hyundai is particularly proud of its automatic controlled by a steering column shift lever that allows walk-through access to the rear seats. The automatic is an up-to-the-minute design with electronic control that can adjust shift patterns to the drivers style, including skipping a ratio to provide greater acceleration or better fuel consumption.

A clever lubrication system extends fluid changes to 60,000-mile intervals: the Trajet otherwise needs servicing every 10,000 miles. Hyundais usual five-year/unlimited mileage warranty and three years of RAC cover are included, too. Handling and ride are adequate, if not as rewarding as on some rivals. Still, while fine road manners are important to MPV buyers, a pliant ride usually takes priority and the Trajet is unlikely to disappoint.

You could say the same about refinement and performance: good enough to satisfy the needs of most but not really class leading in any respect. Having said that, you can buy and own one without being constantly reminded of how much money youve saved. In summary, Hyundai has produced another competent, smartly-pitched people carrier which will please those in search of value who arent prepared to make too many quality compromises.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Hyundai Trajet CRTD range
PRICES: £16,542 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 192g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 106mph / 0-60mph 14.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 29.7mpg / (extra urban) 43.5mpg/ (combined) 37.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4695/1900/1790mm