Automotive
The Hyundai H1 emerged as a highly practical vehicle, catering effectively to both shuttle services and large families. Its spacious interior comfortably accommodated up to eight passengers along with their luggage.
Marketed under various names such as H1, i800, and Starex depending on the region, this versatile MPV was essentially derived from a light commercial vehicle platform. Initially developed as a utility van, it was subsequently adapted for passenger use. While regulations in some markets allowed for configurations with up to 11 seats, the standard setup typically included eight seating positions.
Hyundai endeavored to move away from the traditional minibus appearance by redesigning the front fascia with larger headlamps and a distinctive radiator grille featuring two horizontal bars. The vehicle’s exterior layout included two conventional doors at the front, a sliding door on the passenger side, and a large tailgate for accessing the cargo area. An additional sliding door on the driver’s side was available as an optional extra.
The interior came in multiple trim levels, starting with a base model that included fabric seats, front-only climate control, rear ventilation outlets, and a basic audio system. Higher trim variants boasted enhanced features such as a fixed heater, improved air conditioning, and a premium sound system with more speakers than wheels. Top-spec versions could be equipped with power-adjustable and reclining second-row seats, leather upholstery, and power-operated sliding doors.
Across all nameplates and trim levels, the H1 was exclusively powered by a single 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine, available in three different power output configurations. An automatic transmission was only offered with the top-spec variant. Notably, unlike its predecessor, this model did not feature an available four-wheel-drive system.
