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2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
 
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Hyundai iMax |
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Just like the theatres of the same name, iMax is big on space and is something the whole family should enjoy. In fact, it will not only suit large families but also commercial operators who really have to move people, such as hotel shuttles or small tour operators, and iMax is likely to become the affordable darling for this part of the market. Its commercial van origins are evident in the tall, slab-sided design, because iMax really started life as the iLoad van. But with the addition of softer coil suspension and an interior fitout, it is transformed into something that provides comfortable seating for eight adults. Although it does not have the clever folding seats or flexibility of some other people movers, iMax makes up for it by having a good-sized cargo space behind the third row regardless of the seating position. Also, access to the rows of seats is made easy with generously wide sliding doors on either side of the vehicle, although the use of the driver side door does pose a risk for children hopping out into the traffic stream. The diesel and petrol versions share dimensional attributes but the iMax diesel is streets ahead in engine performance. It has the typically commercial diesel engine knock at idle, but once on the road it is as quiet as the rest of the people mover group under normal driving and quieter than the other contenders under full acceleration. The other two placegetters are vehicles that have been designed as people movers from the ground up, and their front-wheel-drive handling packages are more refined than the rear-wheel-drive iMax. During judging, its commercial van origins were evident, especially when pushed through the slalom. Its length also means it not as easy to park as the others. The iMax may lack the on-road performance of others in the class but the combination of a well-packaged vehicle with a great-value proposition eventually won the day, as the headstart it got with price could not be pegged back by the strengths of the others. The value was reinforced by the product confidence that comes with the five-year warranty that Hyundai has championed. Quality of build and finish is something Hyundai will need to work on to get to the passenger sedan quality of Honda Odyssey. In a category where sharp pricing is critical to success, it needed something like the more affordable iMax to knock Odyssey off of the top position where the Honda has enjoyed a four-year winning streak.
Finalists
Previous Results
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