2007 Hyundai Entourage – The Minivan Wars Warm up
It had been only a couple of time before they entered the minivan fray and after several false starts the on again and off again Hyundai minivan definitely seems to be on again. Hyundai is targeting a market it’s got long sidestepped and it also appears that the long wheelbase version on the Kia Sedona has decided to be purchased in the united states as a Hyundai Entourage. The minivan wars are heating again while one competitor exits this market and another also gives serious consideration to abandoning the minivan segment. Will there be an Entourage in your future? Keep reading for all the details and then decide.
Twenty years ago, Hyundai entered north of manchester American market featuring its $3600 Excel Pony. This cheaply priced, cheaply built model set a bad tone for your new importer and it wasn’t a good one at that. Low quality went arm and arm using the good deal, but consumers still bought Hyundais anyway being a new Excel compared favorably with prices for late model used cars of that era. Many owners shrugged off of the cheap plastics and quality problems, citing that the Pony gave them something they never had before: a new car.
Eventually, Hyundai expanded its lineup and improved its quality levels. A market best warranty plan was crafted and put constantly in place which helped to underscore that Hyundai was intent on building quality vehicles and would stand behind their many products. Mysteriously, a minivan wasn’t section of the lineup even while its Kia subsidiary successfully introduced the Sedona and since interest on minivans remained strong.
Rumors of the Hyundai minivan have been circulating for quite some time. Even previous company press announcments hinted at the possibility, but no official announcement was forthcoming. Finally, late in 2005, Hyundai signaled that they would do not delay – make a minivan based on the stretched wheelbase version with the Kia Sedona. No short wheelbase van is planned, therefore the Entourage will clearly target a somewhat higher plus more lucrative end in the minivan market.
That has a 3.8L V6 engine, power sliding doors, ABS, traction control, six airbags, and triple zone air-con, the Entourage is going to be equipped to compete directly against four popular models: the Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, plus the Toyota Sienna. Depending on the Sedona, Hyundai does have its work remove for itself as the Sedona may be below average in quality and reliability.
To Hyundai’s advantage will be its competitive pricing sufficient reason for Ford out from the market and Vehicle considering doing precisely the same, Hyundai’s focus will be set squarely on competing against the two Chrysler products along with the pricey Honda and Sienna models. While Chrysler happens to be the sales leader in this particular segment, a smartly optioned Entourage is likely to grab sales from fully equipped versions of each model. This will likely not occur if quality levels tend not to improve.
Understanding the competitiveness of this Korean automaker, you may expect how the Entourage can have a substantial battle once quality issues have been overcome. Should that happen, you could expect the Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona will grab more sales and turn a force to be reckoned with. The buyer could be the biggest winner as cost is very likely to hold or even reduce the the facial skin of strong competition.