The Hyundai i800 is a multi-purpose people carrier or MPV based on the iLoad van, which means it comes with lots of room inside, thereby making it ideally suited for getting people and their things from one location to another.
It features a capable 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine that's perfect for motorways and also means the Hyundai i800 can tow up to 2300kg with a braked trailer and with a manual gearbox. Choose a used automatic and that drops to 1500kg.
The sizeable interior is great for space and there's a decent driving position, but the downside is that it can be tricky to park thanks to its bulk and poor rear visibility. Around town it can feel challenging to say the least. Nevertheless, the Hyundai i800 is well-suited to long-distance motorway trips and is a cost-effective option for larger families if you really need an eight-seater
Alternatives on the eight-seat MPV front are plentiful however. There's the excellent Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle for example, or the Citroen SpaceTourer and Peugeot Traveller, which are the same vehicle just with different badges. The Toyota Proace Verso is strong on quality and decent for comfort too.
Other to consider are the Mercedes V-Class and the Ford Tourneo Custom that remains one of the best to drive in this sector.
If its space you're after the Hyundai i800 will make a lot of sense, even though its rather spartan interior isn't the most opulent choice of eight-seat MPVs around.
While it might be short on frills, the interior of the Hyundai i800 has loads of space and it's pretty comfortable too, even if there's a lot of luggage being added into the mix. Everyone gets plenty of room for heads, legs and shoulders, so it's hugely practical.
Performance is perhaps a little less impressive than the room inside with a rather workmanlike delivery of power that gets the job done in no-frills fashion. It's great on motorways if you've opted for the turbodiesel engine. An automatic gearbox is standard on the more powerful 170PS version of this engine and is well matched to the engine. Choose the less powerful 136PS version with its five-speed manual, or from May 2013 a six-speeder and long journeys are less pleasing.
Anyone not happy with handling a big MPV-style design around packed city streets might not find it quite so appealing however. There's not too much noise and the suspension is squishy enough to soak up bumps, but don’t expect any great handling finesse. Parking is thankfully helped if you head for the trim level (Hyundai i800 Style) with the reversing camera.
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There’s not a lot of choice when it comes to engine size with the Hyundai i800 as all are 2.5-litre turbodiesel units. What you can pick between is the engine’s power as it’s offered in 136- and 170PS versions. We’d head straight for the 170PS motor that comes with a five-speed automatic gearbox only. It suits the laid-back nature of this Hyundai while offering better acceleration and some overtaking ability compared to the less potent unit.
During its lengthy life, the Hyundai i800 was only offered in three trims, comprising SE, SE Nav and Style. There’s not much to separate them other than the obvious addition of satellite navigation with the SE Nav. All have air conditioning with individual controls for the front and second rows, reversing sensors and electric windows. As a result, you can choose the Hyundai i800 in a colour choice to suit your tastes safe in the knowledge it’s equipped to the same level as any other.
The only engine available in the Hyundai i800 at launch was the 2.5-litre CRDi diesel with 170PS, which is most notable for its low-down pulling power. With 392Nm available at 2000-2500 rpm, it therefore makes a decent tow car. Motorway driving is where the i800 comes into its own, with effortless performance and just enough in reserve for overtaking.
The Hyundai i800’s dimensions are:
The Hyundai i800’s boot size is:
Hyundai i800s registered from 1 April 2017 onwards were liable for road tax at a flat rate of £165 per year regardless of which engine was fitted to the car.
For Hyundai i800s registered prior to this date, the 136PS model falls into Band J due to its 197g/km carbon dioxide emissions and that means paying out a sizeable £330 per year for road tax. Worse still, choose the 170PS version with its 244g/km CO2 emissions and you’ll be paying the annual tax at a hefty £615.
The Hyundai i800 is the most affordable when it comes to insurance cover because it's the less powerful of the two turbodiesel versions with its 136PS. In basic Style trim, it falls into group 28, though some later models crept up into group 30.
Buy a used 170PS version of the Hyundai i800 and you’ll be paying your annual premium based on an insurance ranking of group 33 or 35 depending the exact specification of the car. This is higher than you will find with a comparable Ford Galaxy.
Read our full Hyundai i800 review