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Hyundai Grandeur CRD First Drive


Hyundai Grandeur CRD First Drive

Author: Byron MathioudakisDate: 1 February 2009

Hyundai claims its spacious new Grandeur CRD is Australia's first affordable large diesel car. Byron Mathioudakis takes it for a drive.

Hyundai is going where no mainstream manufacturer has gone before in Australia by offering a diesel engine option in its large-car contender. To be fair, the Grandeur isn't the model that immediately springs to mind when looking for a value-packed five-seater family car with a large boot. But with the latest, face-lifted version boasting minor changes like a new grille and upgraded trim, it does present an intriguing alternative in new CRD turbo-diesel guise to the more established (and petrol and/or LPG-powered) Commodore, Falcon, Aurion, Accord and Maxima.

As with the latter three, the Hyundai is front-wheel drive, and also offers an ultra-smooth V6 petrol powerplant - just like the current TG-series model has since early 2006. But while that model's average petrol consumption figure of 10.8L/100km is in the same ballpark as its six-cylinder-engined rivals, the CRD's fuel use plummets to a very respectable 7.9L/100km.

Under the bonnet is an advanced 2.2-litre four-cylinder CRD common-rail turbo-diesel, developing 114kW of power at 4000rpm and 343Nm of torque between 1800 and 2500rpm. This compares to the 3.8-litre V6 petrol's 194kW at 6000rpm and 348Nm at 4500rpm.

Linked to a slick five-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai's Selectronic sequential-shift manual facility, it is a surprisingly smooth and refined engine application, with diesel clatter only audible during cold start-ups.

There is a heady stream of acceleration after an initial lag period that is common with such powerplants, making the Grandeur CRD a deceptively fast car.

However, overtaking manoeuvres need to be executed with care, since this relatively small-capacity engine needs time for its big turbo to spool up and thrust the car forward.

Right now there is a large difference between petrol and diesel prices, meaning that it will take a few years of high-mileage driving to recoup the $2000 difference in price between the Grandeur V6 and CRD.

On the other hand, the fuel-price gap is expected to narrow considerably during 2009, while the diesel's resale value should be slightly better than the petrol model's.

But would you consider the Grandeur CRD against the dynamically superior Falcon G6, Holden Berlina or Aurion? While we appreciated the big Hyundai's comfortable, functional, well-built and highly equipped interior, as well as its nicely cushioned ride quality, we found the steering numb, adding to the Grandeur's slightly nervous feel at highway speeds.

Yet the car rates highly for both safety and - according to US reports - owner satisfaction, and (like all Hyundais) it is backed up by a commendable five-year warranty.

So, as a green statement, the Grandeur CRD fares particularly well in the large-car class. But there are better-driving rivals out there.

Quick specs

 Engine  2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel
 Max power

 114kW@4000rpm 343Nm@1800-2500rpm
 Transmission  Five-speed auto
 Fuel consumption  7.9L/100km
 Price from  $41,990

Published in Australian Business Auto, Feb/March 2009. 

Quick Facts

Make Hyundai
Model Grandeur CRD
Category Large
Pros

Economy
Value
Safety
Space
Comfort
Equipment levels
Warranty
Cons

Diesel sluggish when overtaking
$2000 premium over V6 petrol
Numb steering
Not a driver's car
Priced from $41,990

Specifications

Engine

  
Engine size 2.2 L
Claimed max power (kW) 114 kW @ 4000 rpm
Claimed max torque (Nm) 343 Nm @ 2500 rpm

Transmission

  
Type Automatic

Fuel Consumption

  
Claimed fuel consumption 7.9 L/100km

Tags:

Hyundai, Grandeur CRD, Large, , Press-releases, Grandeur, Motoring Feed

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