Hyundai score with the new Trajet MPV

ALTHOUGH arriving late on the MPV scene Hyundai have weighed in with a big argument in favour of their new seven-seater Trajet – their first contender in this growingly popular lifestyle sector.

Designed at their European Design Centre in Germany and developed over 30 months in Korea at a total cost of $300 million, the 2.0 litre car-like Trajet has slightly more head, leg and luggage space than in many of the market leaders – it’s almost three inches longer than the Ford Galaxy – and sells at a mini-MPV price (£19,950 ex works), putting it more in price company with the Renault Scenic (1.6 litre RXE £19,250) and Opel Zafira.

Yet this is a vehicle that’s a full blown MPV – and a very commendable one too.

There’s nothing too dramatic about the Trajet’s clean and simple design. The attractive front sports a chromed radiator flanked by clear dual projection headlamps while the rear has a large backlite and tailgate.

The compact exterior – 4,695mm overall length, 1,840mm width and 2,830mm wheelbase – clothes a comfortable 2:3:2 seated interior.

Up front there’s oodles of space, but it’s in the back that the Trajet truly scores. The rear two seats, and what can laughingly be referred to as a luggage area – neither of which encourage fully-ladened long hauls – have left much to be desired in current full-sized MPVs. However, with the Trajet – the word is French for journey – the German designers have taken this to task and made it just the job for those long ones.

For they have succeeded in not only making the two rear seats comfortable and roomy for two adults but also fitted in more stowage space for baggage.

The flat floor layout allows a wide variety of layouts for seats/load requirements. Both front seats can swivel round to create a comfortable lounge when parked, with the backs of the seats in the second row folded down to become small dining tables.

All five rear seats can be removed although you’ll need a bit of muscle. The chairs can be awkward and heavy. So family assistance will be called for.

Storage is plentiful. There are two gloveboxes, a small open-face binnacle where the centre facia meets the floor that is handy for storing travel essentials, an underseat storage tray beneath the front passenger seat and no fewer than 17 cupholders! ‘Comfort’ stops could be frequent.

The dash is clear and attractive but the use of a lot of grey plastic gives it a cold feel.

The multi-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt-adjustable steering wheel ensure finding the ideal driving position, which is high and commanding. Front view is good but the rear head restraints make reversing difficult.

And the highest of praise comes from no stronger critic than herself. Tell them, she says, that this is the most comfortable of your test vehicles I have ever sat and travelled in.

Features on our GLS test car include foldable armrests, front and rear electric windows, ABS, swivel seats, sunroof, roof rack, electric mirrors, pollen air filter, radio/stereo cassette player and mud guards.

POWER: For the timebeing the Trajet is fitted with a modified version of the 2.0 litre Sirius engine which, in some respects, disappointed me a little. It pulls willingly enough in the lower gears but flattens out a little too soon for a vehicle with two litres under its bonnet, much of which is probably attributed to its weight. And it’s not the quietest either when pushed. Nevertheless it drives and handles with aplomb, pumping out 133bhp at 5750rpm together with 137lb.ft. of torque at 4600rpm for a 0 to 62mph in 13 seconds, a top speed of 111mph and an average fuel return of 35.5mpg.