As John Cleese might have said, “and now for something completely different, a van that seats six people”. This would be the H1 multicab, part MPV, part van, full-time double cab, offering two rows of seats plus an enclosed load area for your goods.
So, now everyone is thinking:- hmmm, who would want something like this? Well, it certainly does have possibilities. For a start we have in the front, the driver’s seat, flanked by a double-size bench seat that has an extra lap belt in the centre section for occasional use. Legroom is limited for this centre seat but the bench does have reach and rake adjustment to improve this. Then we have the rear bench, not moveable but has tons of legroom, far more than on any double cab bakkie. And in the rear we have the (more often than not) advantage of a load area that is already enclosed, just as most double cab owners would fit canopies to their vehicles. The Multicab’s looks, all round, are actually pretty decent and even the split rear doors add to the neat styling.
There are two models, a 2,4 CVVT four-cylinder petrol and a 2,5 VGTi turbodiesel. The petrol uses a five-speed manual gearbox while the diesel relies on a five-speed auto transmission. Drive is to the rear wheels and the payload is 1 100 kg. ESP is also part of the Diesel’s package, but not the petrol.
Standard features include dual airbags, ABS, air-con, alloy wheels, a range to empty readout, electric front windows and mirrors, sliding doors on both sides, and a pair of hinged side-opening back doors that can be opened to a full 180 degrees, if required for easier loading straight from a platform. Also standard is central locking and auto door lock. The audio system includes USB and aux ports but interestingly does not include a CD player, probably the way of the future? Double door pockets allow lots of room for odds and ends and a dual pop-out drinks holder sits below the central gear-lever surround.
We drove the diesel version and found it to be easy to drive, with more than enough torque, a fuss-free auto transmission and steering with good feel. The ride was not too harsh, even unladen and should not cause any discomfort to passengers. Seating is basic durable cloth without much side support so as to provide ample space for two rows of three people. The rear space could take a couple of mountain bikes or up to 2 500 dm3. There were a few rattles around the rear but with a van base and no excess padding around, this is not serious. The closed-off panel incorporates a glass pane and the sides are also fitted with glass. All these panes are protected with steel bars in case of accidents if goods loaded into the back shift.
As expected with Hyundai, the warranty is five-years/ 150 000 km with a service plan that also extends to five years and 90 000 km. Service intervals are 15 000 km.
Specifications:
Model: Hyundai H1 Multicab 2,5 VGTi
Engine: 2,5-litre, longitudinal four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 125 kW/3 800 r/min
Torque: 392 N.m/2 000 r/min
0 to 100: 14,9 s
Fuel consumption: 9,7 l/100 km
CO2: 257 g/km
Top speed: 180 km/h
Price: R339 900
Model: Hyundai H1 Multicab 2,4 CVVT
Engine: 2,4-litre, longitudinal four-cylinder petrol
Power: 126 kW /6 000 r/min
Torque: 227 N.m /4 200 r/min
0 to 100: 17,9 s
Fuel consumption: 10,2 l/100 km
CO2: 240 g/km
Top speed: 182 km/h
Price: R279 900
