2008 Hyundai iMax Shuttle CRDi Review
April 23, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Hyundai H1 iMax Shuttle CRDi Review & Road Test
For the coin conscious buyer, iMax is a winner
Model Tested:
- 2008 Hyundai H1 iMax Shuttle 2.5 litre turbo diesel manual – $39,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint $350 (Fitted); Differential Lock $700
Strong & Flexible Engine, Acres of Space, Priced to Please
Basic Interior, No Cruise Control or Rear Wiper
CarAdvice Rating: 
(3.75)
- by Matt Brogan
When your daily ride is a hyperactive sports bike the prospect of road testing an eight seat people mover can seem rather demoralising and somewhat daunting, especially if you attempt lane splitting, but fortunately the new Hyundai iMax is no slouch and despite its gargantuan proportions, is surprisingly easy to drive.
The first thing I noticed on approach to the iMax was just how much of the parking space it filled – all of it and then some – this was going to be an interesting week. Quite literally climbing the two steps in to the cabin, the height of the driver’s seat and space surrounding you really does impress. This is one big beasty.
iMax Shuttle in ‘Sleek Silver’
Measuring 5,125mm long (3,200mm wheelbase) by 1,920mm wide by 1,925mm high (watch basement car parks), you start to get an idea that this is some seriously large transport.
Not only can you carry a small army of real sized people comfortably, there’s also more than enough room left over up back for their kit, something many people movers fail to take in to account.
It’s a rather typical recipe as far as people movers go. Large box, four wheels, semi-bonneted front, but in saying that the iMax actually manages a bit of style, thanks in part to the moulded side panels which create an illusion of depth, especially over the wheel arches of what is an otherwise flat profile.
From the front a large grille and more upright stacked headlights add to the towering impression of height, and up back the incredibly large tailgate features slim, short vertical tail lights at either side with a small high level LED brake light across the top of the rear glass.
So being as large as it is, you might expect the usual run of subdued driving characteristics and meager performance. Pleasantly enough though, this just wasn’t true.
The iMax actually drives quite well, it’s no sports car, but it’s far better than I would have expected, and with Hyundai aiming itself at the likes of VW’s Multivan and Mercedes Benz’s Vito, winning the drive is going to be a hard ask.
It’s Hyundai’s first foray in to the sector and a lot of competitors may have been caught napping by such an impressive first attempt. For the coin conscious buyer, iMax is a winner, and is sure to shake things up a bit in the large van category, a real win for those on a budget.
As diesels go, this one’s a ripper. It’s a little noisy under load but revs freely, has almost no turbo lag to speak of, and develops usable, linear pull until quite high in the rev range.
The 2.5 litre CRDi (Common Rail Diesel Injection) engine utilises twin overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and a variable geometry turbo charger to develop a respectable 125kW of power at 3,800 rpm, and a very healthy 392Nm of smooth, solid torque from just 2,000rpm.
Although the torque seems to fall off just as you reach that sweet point in the power band, a quick change of cogs will see you right back on pace. It pulls really well, even with the entire U12 Lacrosse team and their bags on deck, and manages an impressive 8.5 litres / 100km combined average.
The five-speed manual gearbox offers a tractable ratio spread, even if the linkages are slightly stiff, and a well weighted clutch with brilliant uptake makes the manual box easy enough to live with. Final drive (3.6:1) through the rear wheels can also be optioned with a differential lock for a few hundred dollars more.
The sixteen inch alloys look a little small proportionally, but there’s enough rigidity in the tyre’s sidewall to manage the small amount of lateral shift exhibited under sudden evasive manoeuvers. Personally, I don’t think I’d want the tyre profile any lower as the ride offered and reduced risk of gutter strike outweigh any aesthetic gains offered.
Suspension is a rather traditional combination of MacPherson struts upfront and a multi-link (five) rear end with coil springs and gas shockers. Very capable braking comes compliments of hydraulic, power assisted four wheels discs with ABS, BAS (Brake Assist System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).
Hydraulic power steering offers decent feel, without working up a sweat and makes parking the giant a relatively simple task. Thankfully you also get standard rear parking sensors, though the lack of a rear wiper and washer can make things interesting in the wet should you actually like to see where you are reversing.
Again, were it my vehicle, I’d probably fit an after market reversing camera, just for safety’s sake around the littlies.
On the safety front, in additional to the electronic nanny assisted braking, you’re also offered ESP (Electronic Stability Control) with TCS (Traction Control System), Dual Front SRS Airbags, Three-Point Retractable Seat Belts on all seating positions, Side Impact Protection, Front and Rear Crash (Crumple) Zones and a reinforced four-ringed body with rigid cabin – all standard.
As far as creature comforts go, there’s three rows of comfortable and flexible seating, reverse parking sensors, AM/FM Single CD Player, Front and Rear Air Conditioning with dual controls, tilt adjustable steering wheel, Front Fog Lamps, Power Windows (Front) and Mirrors, and Remote Central Locking with Engine Immobiliser and Alarm.
I’d like to have seen audio controls on the steering wheel, as the head unit is quite a reach away, as well as the addition of cruise control and for the park brake removed from the centre walkway and placed either against the door or mounted on the dash (perhaps even as an electronic set-up). Otherwise though, there’s very little to whinge about.
In all the drive is very good by large van standards, the quality of fit and finish excellent for the price, and the level of safety offered is on par with the stalwarts of the sector. I can see large families, schools, and sporting groups flocking to the iMax in droves.
If you’re after a reliable, large, value for money people mover with more than enough space, this is the one.
CarAdvice overall rating: (3.75)
How does it drive: 
How does it look:
How does it go:
- Engine: 2497cc four-cylinder common rail turbo diesel
- Power: 125kW @ 3,800rpm
- Torque: 392Nm @ 2,000rpm
- Transmission: Five-Speed Manual
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Top speed: Not Tested
- 0-100km/h: Not Tested
- Fuel Consumption : 8.5 litres/100km (Combined)
- Fuel Tank: 75 litres
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- NCAP rating: TBC
- Towing Capacity: 2,000kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.2 metres (3.5 turns lock-to-lock)
- Safety: ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS, Dual Front Airbags
- Spare Wheel: Full Size Alloy (Under Body)
- Warranty: Five Years / Unlimited Kilometre
- Weight: 2,249kg (Tare) – 837kg Payload
- Wheels: Alloy 16″ x 6.5″
Next fortnight we’ll feature the commercial sibling to this vehicle, the iLoad.
Print it: 
Good to see Hyundai continue to mix things up. Watch out Toyota!!! Can see this company do for cars what LG/SAMSUNG HAS DONE FOR EVERYTHING ELSE!!
Got to be impressed as Koreans are obviously fast learners.
Hardly exciting, but it seems like a good deal for the price, especially when you price up a Hiace, Vito, Volksy, etc….
hmmm looks too much like a van for me… but for the price, you cant do much better.
I think youve been a tad harsh on the interior.. although im only going on the pics.
Those thieving b@stards blatantly copied the alloy wheel design from the Citroen C4 Picasso!
Foggy, i think if they were to blatantly steal a design… it would be from a picasso.
Dare I say it
“And the Diesel Does it Again”
Not a bad effort really if you into that sort of thing.
No Name, you’re back! The missile and I were discussing absent souls today and your name came up. We had a simply ssssyyoooper day at the Perth Motor Show. Probably not a patch on Birmingham, but as good as it gets down here!
I don’t fancy cargo vans being converted into people movers, like this one.
Looks too much like a van? Well that’s coz it is one! This one would look cool lowered and with big rims too, like people do to the Hi-Aces… If only someone would rip out the crappy diesel and fit it with a decent rotary engine!!
fabio, your an idiot. a rotary which has minimal torque in a heavy van. that’s why it has diesel in the first place
Better of with a Carnival made by sister company Kia.
No trip computer
To expensive
Cheers
F-0
OH, and nice glasses! :-)
Cheers
F-0
PS 100% glad and happy went with a Aussie Falcon Ute on LPG, i weep when i see DIEsel for $1.70……OUCH!
Quote Mitch:
“fabio, your an idiot. a rotary which has minimal torque in a heavy van. that’s why it has diesel in the first place”
… And let’s not even go into reliability and fuel consumption. What’s that? Oh sorry, I think I have just spat out another Apex seal. :(
Thanks F-O. Couldn’t resist the whole iMax cliche :)
Frugal-One, where would you put the LPG tank in this car?
It would kinda ruin it’s flexibility and usefulness with a big mother of a tank sitting in the back :D
Foggy,
i would put the LPG tank in the place where the Fuel tank would have been.
Am I missing something? This is a diesel, not petrol. So whilst you can supplement diesel with LPG, it is not a substitute. Petrol on the other hand is obviously a different matter.
LPG loses to much power… turns a speedy 190kw Falcon into a 150kw slush box.
TP,
you have no idea.
when done with the latest tech LPG system and on a dedicated setup (not the compromise of duel fuel) LPG would return better power and consumption figures than petrol
i have read results of an SS commodore that has displayed slight power increases when run on the latest tech LPG system. and that was still a compromised duel fuel set up.
even if LPG did always lose say 50kw, it would still be more powerfull than what you get when downsizing to a Yaris to reduce your fuel bill
TP
Your really out there….sure power lose. Economy of dual fuel is worse. Obviously someone as convoluted as you will dig up some BS on internet and claim its the truth. You believe too much! OF YOUR OWN BS!
And to cop it more he’s never backed up his 25% diesel claim. Never will Never can, made up data.
NM,
you summed up TP beautifully
QUOTE………….
“You believe too much! OF YOUR OWN BS!”
It aint pretty but theres alot of room for the price. When will the iLoad come out?
Hang on theres 8 seats so 1 driver and that must mean there would be 7 lacross players but there is 9 players in the 7th picture! How can that be?!
No Name hahahahah you little lying prick, I showed you the link… crawl back into the cave you came out of.
RE LPG lol LPG has more power then petrol now AndrewM? HAHAHAHAHA. Your dedicated LPG turns 190kw Falcon into 150kw… more power?
Yes I believe my own BS… last I recall it was other reputable sites mentioning duel fuel is best, not me. Idiots. 0.5L per 100km less fuel economy yes… tiny amount… but only 10kw loss of power! Far more practical.
TP,
you are one narrow sighted thick kid.
the only reason an LPG vehicle will return 15L is because it is either duel fuel, or it is running the old school system.
there is actually greater performance and economy potential with LPG
Matt you crack me up………I guess you have to have a little fun every now an then,love the 3D glasses ,Im still creasing over the IMAX sign pointing to it ,and the under U12 Lacrosse team looked thrilled to be a part of your review.
Top speed and 0-100 not tested? By you on the day or at all cause who cares?hahaha
Great review good to see you put a little humour in it!
Finally a car with cup-holders that are designed to take standard sized cups cans or bottles instead of the oversized cups from starbucks..
Now why didn’t Toyota come up with something like that as they are supposedly the leaders/innovators of the auto industry
Don’t worry yourself Duck, the kids were piled in there for the pic, the rest were transported in another car.
^OK, i was just wondering cause it just didnt make sense.
Does anybody know when the the iMax Shuttle 12 seater comes out? Or will it?
Gee duck,
how many kids do you plan on having?
Just a few! Na…….just joking! I’m just wondering because i know people that a iMax Shuttle 12 seater would do them well.
No word on the 12 seater as yet, but I should imagine Hyundai will make it available at some point to compete with Commuter (makes sense). Will look in to it for you!
Thanks Matt
yeah i cant wait for the 12 seater either ha ha ha ha
You planing on a BIG family babe?????? Cant see you in a people mover.hehehe
talking about the 9 people in the i max well we have ordered one and it will have the front seat from the i load to make it a 9 seater. we should have it any day now.
Re: Lots_A_Kids
Congratulations on your purchase & I am sure you will have many years of happy motoring. Hyundai is really making a name for itself for selling very good vehicles at a reasonable price. Watch out other car makers.
Cheers !
Thankyou Lightbulb,
we took the i max for a test drive and cannot believe the space and the cargo area is fantastic as the kids will not complain when i put the shopping on their feet anymore. and as for price it is very affordable and it fits under our carport as most cars don’t.
Good Progress with a fundamental flaw. No curtain airbags as at all. Pity the expendable kids in the 2nd and 3rd row in an side on accident. The grand carnival still the better option.
hi Lots A kid,
i presume uv got ur i-Max in ur garage already, cud u tel me(any1 hu owns d imax not guessers n pretenders pls) wat r d pros n cons of owning dis van, hows d maintenance n real world fuel consumption? tnx
Huh? Sorry this is an english site.
Love the idea of havin a new competitive 8 seater in the market, i dont mind the exterior and i love the space it has. Its just a shame that dash is a outdated BIG time.
I just wish it had spent more effort in the dash design…
or at least have the same dash as the i30. It looks so outdated, so 80’s in my opinon. If it had a dash/interior like the Honda Odessy, then the Imax will be gorgeous in and out.
Update:
the CRD is now available with a 5 speed auto.
Problems with current model:
No curtain airbags.
No Cruise
2nd row single folding chair is on right side. Should be on left so kids can be loaded in on curb side.
My family of 6 hired an imax from Budget for a week to drive around Melbourne. We loved it. It took all our luggage and still there was plenty of room. It drove through that crazy traffic like a zippy small car.
was it the diesel or petrol?