When MPVs began to become popular in this country, there was a common if illogical complaint that they could carry a lot of people or a lot of luggage but not both at the same time. The i800 is one of the few vehicles that does not have this problem. It is absolutely enormous, to the extent that even with eight passengers on board it still has nearly double the load capacity of a medium-sized saloon car.

At less than £26,000, it's also remarkably cheap for something this practical and it’s also reasonably comfortable and well-equipped. There is just one trim level and a single 2.5-litre diesel engine, though this is available with two maximum power outputs - 134bhp if the car has six-speed manual transmission and 168bhp with a five-speed automatic.

Performance

Quick performance is unlikely to be a priority for any car buyer looking for an eight-seater. With either of its two power outputs the i800 is quite slow, particularly the 134bhp manual.

The 0-62mph sprint takes 17.6 seconds, a time easily beaten even by city cars, though they would have to work hard to challenge the 168bhp automatic's sprint time of 14.4 seconds. The automatic can reach 112mph, but it's unlikely that anyone would ever want it to.

Despite being noticeably slow, 168bhp is about as much as the i800 can deal with, and it's probably for the best that Hyundai doesn't offer a more powerful version.

Ride and Handling

Tighter manoeuvres are easier than you might expect. Despite being nearly seventeen feet long, the i800 feels smaller from the driver's seat.

The i800 feels very much like a van to drive, because that's essentially what it is. The upright driving position and commanding view are good, though not everyone will appreciate the long stretch to the handbrake lever. Attempting hard cornering would be unwise, and the ride quality is a bit crashy over rough surfaces. On smoother tarmac, however, the i800 rides very well. Tighter manoeuvres are easier than you might expect. Despite being nearly seventeen feet long, the i800 feels smaller from the driver's seat.

Interior and Equipment

The commercial version of the i800 is called the iLoad. In Britain, it was actually the eight-seater i800 that went on sale first.

Even with all eight seats in place, there's still 851 litres of luggage space, though that's partly because the i800 is so tall. With the six rearmost seats folded down, there's so much room you could almost live in the thing. Passenger room is excellent - eight adults can be accommodated very easily. The rear side doors slide open for easy access. However, while the middle seat bench can be slid back or forth, it doesn’t fold – an issue other MPVs do not share. The level of equipment is good, if not lavish. Air-conditioning, front foglights, daytime running lights, a six-speaker radio/CD/MP3 system, USB and auxiliary connections, a tow hook, adjustable headrests for everyone, a full-sized spare wheel and rear privacy glass are all standard. The privacy glass can be replaced with clear glass at no extra cost if that's what you want. The only interior option you have to pay extra for is a set of leather seat facings. This seems expensive at £1,550, but then again there are a lot of seats.

Cost

If costs are a priority the model to go for is the 136bhp manual, which has CO2 emissions of 197g/km compared with 231g/km for the 168bhp automatic.

Obviously, a passenger car as big as the i800 isn't going to be cheap to run. If costs are a priority the model to go for is the 136bhp manual, which has CO2 emissions of 197g/km compared with 231g/km for the 168bhp automatic. This leads to a big difference in Vehicle Excise Duty payments - the manual will cost you £265 per year, well under the automatic's £485 per year charge. 40mpg is all but an impossible dream in either model, and in the automatic you'll be doing well to get a figure of 30 or more. For business users, both versions will be in the top 37% Benefit In Kind bracket from April 2015 onwards. The manual is priced at around £23,500, the automatic at about £25,500. In addition to the leather seat facings mentioned above, the only extra-cost options are metallic or pearl paint at £585.

Our Verdict

Performance and running costs aside, the i800 is ideal for the job it was designed to do. It's incredibly practical while also, within reason, being quite easy to drive. If you are seriously thinking about buying the i800, it’s very important to consider first whether you can handle the undeniably high running costs and the pretty harsh ride. Not many people need a car like this, but those who do should be satisfied with what the i800 delivers.