• All new eight-seater with space for luggage too
• New 2.5-litre turbodiesel and rear-wheel-drive

Big families, small businesses and anyone with lots of friends can rejoice – at last there is a classy way to carry eight people and luggage in a car that costs less than £20,000.

The i800 is the third instalment of Hyundai models that will gain an ‘i’ prefix in the name as they are introduced, replaced or substantially facelifted. And now the third of Hyundai’s i range of cars has arrived, and is set to cause just as much of a stir as the i30 and i10.

Most people carriers have five full-sized seats and usually the sixth and seventh are occasional chairs unfolded from the luggage space. The i800 has space for eight full size passengers plus luggage room too - perfect for families or business users such as hotels.

This eight seat practicality and car-like refinement has previously only been available from expensive German marques - at prices that can be as much as £10,000 more expensive than the i800. The only rivals to approach Hyundai on price are cruder, van derived conversions – and even these can’t match the i800’s specification.

The interior space, powerful diesel engine and the offer of eight full size seats give the i800 a unique advantage over other competitor models. With a comprehensive specification list and all for less than £20,000, the i800 is an obvious choice for the large family or business user.

As with all Hyundai models the i800 comes with the manufacturer-backed five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Specification and equipment

• Air conditioning, heated drivers seat, ESP, electric windows, reversing sensors and 16” alloys as standard
• Manufacturer-backed five year unlimited mileage warranty

Value for money is paramount in this sector and this is where the i800 excels. Not just for the driver and front passenger but for the comfort of all eight occupants.

All passengers will appreciate the car-like feel of the integrated cabin which includes the usual convenience features such as tilt steering column, overhead console, electric windows and electric door mirrors. This list of standard equipment includes air conditioning with separate controls in the rear for the passengers.

Unlike ‘minibus’ rivals, the classy cabin also offers mood lighting in the middle and rear rows and offers a choice of colours to scroll through. This gives light to occupants at night and offers them a unique ambience in the vehicle.

Dark tinted glass also gives rear passengers that extra bit of privacy and keeps the cabin cool.

Remote central locking and an alarm as standard give that little extra peace of mind in security as well as added convenience.

Hyundai i800 Style: Equipment

• Air Conditioning with control and vents for rear passengers
• Remote central door locking with alarm
• Alloy Wheels
• Dual Airbags
• Electric door mirrors
• ESP
• Front Cup Holders
• Electric Front Windows
• Front Fog Lights
• Heated front driver’s seat
• LED mood lighting in rear cabin
• Overhead Storage Console
• Privacy Glass
• Height adjustable front seatbelts
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners
• Space and storage

Unlike most people carriers, which only have room for seven people, the i800 can comfortably accommodate eight. In addition the big Hyundai will still have room for all of their luggage. In fact, the i800 has 851 litres of space in the boot even when loaded with passengers; that’s twice as much as some estate cars!

While other people carriers compromise the luggage space to make room for extra seats the i800 manages to have both, without having to remove seats or fold them into the floor.

The Hyundai i800 features a pair of individual seats in front and two benches behind, each accommodating three adults in comfort with uncompromised head and legroom.

Both rear benches feature a 60:40 split-fold and recline while the centre row also slides forwards or backwards to tailor legroom as required and aid access to the rear. If you don’t need to carry eight, or have small children in the rearmost row, then the centre seats can be slid back be create limo-like legroom.

The rear compartment is accessed by pair of sliding doors, making entry and exit easy wherever the i800 is parked. The centre row of seats is able to slide forward to allow easy access to the rear most section of the cabin.

For added convenience ‘bottle bulges’ are designed into the door pockets to and the front passengers have cup holders in the centre console.