2008 Hyundai Entourage Review
The Entourage is a minivan that debuted in 2007. Able to carry up to seven passengers, it combines value and safety with Hyundai’s long warranty. In addition to being their first minivan, it’s also Hyundai’s first vehicle furnished with a foldaway third row seat.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The Hyundai Entourage is a serious threat to the other players in this reemerging segment. It’s nearly on-par with the class-leading Odyssey, but is significantly cheaper. Not only that, but it’s backed up by the best warranty in the business. While you may not find its interior as comfortable as a Honda, and it doesn’t have all the neat storage compartments of a Chrysler, it’s a terrific minivan and a great value.
What’s New For 2008:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
J.D. Power gives the Entourage 2 stars for mechanical quality, 2.5 stars for design quality and 3.5 stars for performance. First year problems include harsh shifting, hard starting, difficult to shut tailgates and sticky window switches. One recall was issued for wire chafing with adjustable brake pedals. Expect average to above average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for five years or 60,000 miles.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The Entourage earned perfect government and IIHS crash test scores. It has been selected as one of the IIHS’ “Top Safety Picks” for 2008. Anti-lock brakes, full side airbags, active head restraints, brake assist, and stability and traction control come standard.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Great value
+ Supreme safety
+ Spacious
Cons
- Lacking refinement
- Minivan handling
- Not going to win any fashion shows
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Chrysler Town and Country has a standard third row, but costs a couple thousand more, lacks traction control, side airbags and has 80 less hp. The Honda Odyssey costs a couple thousand more and has a bit more cargo space and rear headroom, but is nearly identical, feature-wise. The Entourage is based on the Kia Sedona, and is nearly identical, except it gets up to five more miles to the gallon.
What Others Are Saying:
“As far as vans go, the Entourage is great. In fact, it’s as good as the Honda Odyssey, which I think is the best van in the business — and it costs thousands less. If lots of space is what you need, then the Entourage is the van to buy.” – About.com
“Despite its deficiencies, the Entourage is a pretty impressive effort right out of the box — a better product in most respects than the aging minivans sold by Ford and General Motors and and Honda. And the Entourage Limited with the Ultinearly as good as the class leaders from Chrysler, Toyotamate package is definitely a premium offering in the class.” – The Detroit News
“Still, for the budget-minded, the Kia and Hyundai minivans hit close to the bull’s eye. A shopper may well conclude that the price, which is likely to be a couple of thousand dollars less than the class leaders, is reason enough to accept some rather small sacrifices in refinement.” – The New York Times
Read more about the 2008 Hyundai Entourage at the Hyundai manufacturer web site.
