It looks like cargo vans are back in fashion these days, starting with the resurrection of the Mitsubishi L300 last September, the introduction of the Isuzu Traviz very recently, and now, Ford Philippines has just launched its own commercial vehicle, the Ford Transit. As these vans enter our market one by one, they signal the growing importance of commercial vehicles in the country as the economy continues to grow.
But before the Ford Transit entered the Philippine automotive market, there’s already the Hyundai H350 minivan, which has actually been around since 2017. Pitting these two direct competitors against each other, which one is worth buying with your hard-earned money? We compare the two people/cargo haulers side by side in this car comparison.
Powering the 2020 Ford Transit is a 2.2-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine that can dish out 133 horsepower and 385 Nm torque. It’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission that delivers smooth and quick shifting. A rear-wheel drive, the vehicle’s suspension consists of independent MacPherson Struts with coil springs and stabilizer bar at the front and leaf springs with gas-pressurized shocks at the rear.
The Transit’s 15-seater capacity offers an overall dimension of 5,981mm in length, 2,474mm width, and 2,517mm height. The van’s wheelbase measures 3,750mm.
Pushing the 2019 Hyundai H350 is a 2.5-liter direct injection diesel engine that’s good for 168 hp and 422 Nm, linked to a six-speed manual transmission. Suspension at the front comprises a MacPherson Strut type independent with transverse leaf, while the rear uses a rigid type parabolic leaf spring setup. The van measures 6,195mm long, 2,436mm wide, and 2,856 mm tall. Although the H350 is longer than the Transit overall, its wheelbase is shorter at 3,670mm.
Winner: Hyundai H350
The Transit’s lone trim comes in three paint options: Frozen White, Moondust Silver, and Magnetic Metal. All of finishes come in two-tone. Its retail price is PHP 2.3 million, and can be ordered in all Ford dealerships nationwide.
| 2.2L 15-Seater Minibus | PHP 2,300,000 |
The 2019 Hyundai H350 is available in two variants—the DLS and DLX. Likewise, the color options are only two—black and white. Below are the prices of the two trims.
| 2.5L A2 DLS Minivan | PHP 2,688,000 |
| 2.5L A2 DLX Minivan | PHP 2,728,000 |
Winner: Tie
The all-new Transit is designed to provide maximum comfort and stress prevention for both drivers and passengers, especially on long trips. Its list of convenience features include a power folding side mirrors, rearview camera, extra wide doors with grab rails for easy ingress and egress, rear cargo doors with 180-degree wide opening capacity, easy clean non-slip rubber flooring, and power side step.
For safety, the Ford van comes with 15 three-point seatbelts, electronic stability system, hill launch assist, load stabilization, and ISOFIX child fixing anchors, as well as an emergency escape hatch at the rear for tertiary egress.
The Hyundai H350 is designed to maximize occupant protection by using a body shell that features 75 percent advanced high-tensile steel that further employs a closed-ring structure for efficient force impact distribution and effective impact absorption. As for the van’s onboard safety systems, these include vehicle dynamic control, roll-over mitigation, engine drag control, hill-start assist, hydraulic brake assist, and a lane departure warning system.
With two trims to choose from, buyers can select the level of comfort that they want their van to arrive in. There’s the DLS for economy, and the DLX for those of more discerning tastes.
Winner: Ford Transit
The Ford Transit’s 15-seater capacity is good for 15 adult-sized individuals. The vehicle offers plenty of storage options including 21 storage bins, 12 cup holders, and multiple power sockets.
The Hyundai 350 uses a more traditional 14-people seating setup. Since it’s bigger than the Transit and seats a fewer number of people, the cabin feels less cramped. Good for passengers, but bad for the driver who plans on using the van as a rental people carrier.
Winner: Tie
It seems that the 2020 Ford Transit and Hyundai H350 are evenly matched, with each having its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
For those who want to maximize their earnings, the 15-seater capacity of the 2020 Ford Transit is the easier choice. Those looking for more economy or options can enjoy the variety offered by the 2019 Hyundai H350.
Also read: TEST DRIVE: 2019 Ford Expedition Limited Max 4x4 AT - Bull, No Bull
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