Story & Photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
WHILE the bulk of vehicle sales in the country to date are made mostly of subcompact cars and sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), the passenger van segment also posted healthy numbers in this regard.
In fact, keen eye observers will notice that the van segment already offers models of different sizes and configurations that will suit the need of its intended market and buyers.
The segment recently had another newcomer joining its roster, the full-sized vans, these vans are quite popular in Europe where it found its niche in commercial application. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as European type vans.
The opportunity to test drive one of these behemoths came when some relatives flew in from the US and Canada for a short vacation. I needed a van that would fit the entire family for a three-day jaunt inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Knowing that the enormous van will give this scribe a problem when it comes to parking.
At first, the size of the H-350 was daunting even for someone like me who has 26 years of driving experience tucked under my belt. After all, it was my first time to drive such a big vehicle.
But once settled inside, one realizes that the enormous front view greatly aided by the sloping hood and ginormous side-mirrors somewhat shrinks the vehicle size. Giving the driver the notion that it was not any bigger than the van offerings from Toyota and Nissan, or even a midsize SUV for that matter. But make no mistake, this is a big, tall van with a measurement of 6.2 meters in length, more than 2 meters in width and a height of 2.8 meters that include that huge aircon perched on top of the roof.
But its size is its main selling proposition to would-be buyers at it would sit 14 American size adults, both in height and heft comfortably in 2+1 configuration. Tall passengers whose height doesn’t exceed 6’4″ inches won’t have any problem standing up without the need to bow their heads.
Storage, as expected, wasn’t lacking with its bus-like body as it has the same overhead storage bins found in a full-size bus. While the rear compartment behind the bench seat also offers a sizable area for all the luggage of its occupants and if that’s not enough, the wide aisle will accommodate the excess baggage.
The front cabin also offers several storage bins from the top down to the bottom and again due to its bus-like body there is a wide aisle that separates the driver and the front passenger, which also doubled as a place to put things that will not fit inside those bins.
Ride is surprising civil with the Macpherson strut-type independent suspension with transverse leaf and rigid type (parabolic leaf spring) at the rear doing a nice job of providing a good ride laden or unladen.
The assigned driver will not be complaining about vehicle handling, as light steering and clutch provides for a stress-free driving, as this scribe found out, except maybe for a bruised ego for being the bus driver.
The 2.5-liter common rail direct injection turbo intercooler diesel engine, that is already Euro-5 compliant and is rated at 170 hp and 422 N-m of torque provided an exceptional thrust on different driving conditions, that included highway runs and some inclines on our way to Bataan. Fuel consumption is around 9 km per liter on mostly highway runs as mentioned earlier.
The H-350 attracted a lot of attention during the trip with a lot of families approaching it when parked to peek inside and with some inquiring on how much it cost.
But the most common compliment that we heard was how comfortable it seems on long trips and they’re right absolutely. Families who are looking for van in this segment should definitely consider the Hyundai H-350, as its buyers will definitely get so much more than its P2.728 million asking price.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo