Spy Shots: Hyundai's Pacifica-like Portico crossover
The market for oversize and jacked-up minivans parading as crossovers hasn't exactly set the world on fire, as Chrysler's Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz R-Class have ably proven. Still, Hyundai is set to throw its hat into the ring with the upcoming Portico, which is based on the concept vehicle from 2005 with the same name. To its credit, the Portico does manage to have a few new features that its competition doesn't. Seating for up to six is standard, though there are only two rows. Each row is a long bench, with the center spot on each row also able to fold down, allowing the option of converting the Portico into the world's largest and least efficient four-seater. Expect to find one of Hyundai's V6 engines underhood with a hybrid option rumored to follow. As a minivan replacement, the Portico could find a few buyers, but the Korean automaker had better find a way to squeeze every mile out of each drop of gasoline, otherwise the Portico will take residence right next to the ill-timed Kia Borrego on dealers' lots across the country.[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iSpec 7:13PM (8/14/2008)
Dear Autoblog and Obsessed Auto Readers:
We spent the damn R&D money on this friggin' thing and it's going to market just like the Borrego.
Chung Moo Koo
HMC
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Will 7:42PM (8/14/2008)
"Portico" strongly conveys "Portly"
The Pacifica and the MB R class are whales. I hope Hyundai can come in smaller and a few thousand pounds lighter.
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JMC 3 8:37PM (8/14/2008)
That R class was too funky.
Too ambiguous a design(whale).
Had Mercedes designed it like a taller E Class wagon to accommodate a 3rd forward facing row I think they may have been more successful.
Crackberry Addict 7:54PM (8/14/2008)
The Dodge Journey is going to have some serious competition!
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sam 8:13PM (8/14/2008)
I think the fact that is gets compared to the Pacifica indicates where this car will end up in 2-4 years. I understand that considerable time has gone into research and design for this car (as would any new car), but in this climate i don't see this being a 'hot seller' or even profitable. But what do i know - i'm just a lowly Canadian consumer who has 2 efficient toyotas - i hope they prove me wrong though. Hyundai has been doing well recently.
http://www.samalamadingdong.com
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Aprime 10:32PM (8/14/2008)
"Please note that gratuitous links to your site are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments."
How many times will I have to point it out?
Aprime 10:33PM (8/14/2008)
"Please note that gratuitous links to your site are viewed as spam and may result in removed comments."
How many times will I have to point it out?
BigWill 10:58AM (8/15/2008)
"How many times will I have to point it out?"
At least twice I guess.
Bob-omb 11:25PM (8/14/2008)
A large, low, two-row crossover? Then it's just like the Venza. Interesting.
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nreeldeep 11:42AM (8/15/2008)
One writer, writing on an online site mostly frequented by auto enthusiasts mentioning the Pacifica in comparison to the Portico hardly qualifies as indicating where the Hyundai vehicle will end up in 2-4 years, unless of course the millions of soccer moms and dads decide to drastically change decades of purchasing habits by suddenly logging onto autoblog only to discover this ONE writer mention the Portico in the same breath as the Pacifica.
Then of course they won't buy it.
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BigWill 1:58PM (8/15/2008)
I agree, especially when there's the potential for some interesting stuff ahead. Like, say, the Hyundai 3.0l turbodiesel (estimated availability 2010) ending up in the Portico. That'd change the dynamic of this immediately.