Our spy photographers have caught Hyundai’s upcoming Portico crossover almost entirely camouflage-free. The Portico will be more along the lines of a tall wagon than true as SUV, and will be taller than the company’s Kia Sorento SUV.
First shown as a 2005 “concept” in Chicago, Hyundai is hoping their Mercedes-Benz R-Class-like crossover will fill all the niches where Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler’s Pacifica failed.
Flexible seating for the Portico means two rows of seating with seating for 4 or 6 – depending if the center seat is folded down or upright. With six passengers in two rows - the Portico will offer more cargo area than similarly sized vehicles.
A 3.3L V6 rated at around 240hp or a 3.8L V6 rated at about 280hp should provide motivation for the Portico. Hyundai’s new 6-speed shiftronic transmission will route the power to a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive setup. It’s not yet clear if the Portico will see a four-cylinder or hybrid powertrains.
While the Portico was slated to be built in Alabama, production has now shifted to Korea and will start in the 3rd quarter of 2009.
10/23, 3:45 PM
posted by:
Borat
Nice, but who needs it now? Did they learn anything from Tundra experiment?
10/23, 4:43 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
Wow’ that looks like a wagon. A wagon.
10/23, 5:31 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Put the camo back on.
10/23, 6:07 PM
posted by:
pzimet
What is the point of this considering they have the veracruz? also..it will undoubtedly be boring..and totally uninteresting in every way. the name portico..sounds overweight and weak.
10/23, 6:17 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
i like it. i dont’ WANT one but i like it. looks like a nicer tribeca to me.
10/23, 7:37 PM
posted by:
DrFill
ANOTHER sled Hyundai can’t sell?
Sweet!
Christmas must be around the corner
DrFill
10/23, 7:57 PM
posted by:
TomF
Looks like a great big Focus 5-door.
10/23, 8:04 PM
posted by:
elviososa
boring!
10/23, 8:31 PM
posted by:
cereal
THAT’s tall.
-eat your cereal
10/23, 8:59 PM
posted by:
LS7
Holy f.uck people are stupid around here. This will sell. Why now? Are you that f.ucking dumb? Look at the market. Tighter times, call for more “efficient” vehicles. Even with spacing. Instead of SUVs, people look for alternatives. That is why Toyota is making the Venza, and Hyundai is making Portico. Is it a jacked up wagon? Yes. See, the masses have already gotten used to the “commanding view” of SUVs and Minivans. They also have gotten used to the hatch back. Sedan drivers, with traditional trunks, are leaning towards hatch backs now. Why? Because you can hold way more **** it in. You can goto Best Buy, grab a 42″ LCD, stuff it in the back, and drive home. You can fit bikes in without special mounts. Minivan/wagon drivers who are embarassed, no longer have to be. This is all car, to all people.
10/23, 10:52 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Once again LS, you’re off the mark
First, The Venza is a 5 seater. Second, it’s a ‘Yota. Third, it is out first.
The Venza and this sled will not directly compete, since the Venza is is not a 3 row crossover.
And didn’t Hyundai get the memo?
The Mercedes R-Class
Dodge Magnum
Chrysler Pacifica
They don’t sell
Americans HATE 3-row hatchback wagons
But Hyundai will be the one to turn that around. Ok.
Not that Hyundai knows how to build a market strategy
Or an original thought.
Or a successful launch…….
DrFill
10/24, 12:35 AM
posted by:
sharpie
Did Hyundai learn anything from the Freestyle/Taurus-X and the already struggling Flex? Wait, maybe if they price it low enough, it would move, or not.
10/24, 10:11 AM
posted by:
MikeFX
All previous 3-row crossover wagons had a fatal flaw:
Magnum: not a crossover, too low and agreessive for most
Pacifica: Overpriced and underpowered
R-Class: Styled like a hearse
Freestyle: Dull styling, and underpowered (at first)
Flex: Underpowered and poarizing style
If somebody builds a 3-row crossover with decent style and power, all at a nice price point, it will sell big. This Portico looks like it might be that car (just drop the dumb name).
10/24, 11:06 AM
posted by:
columbushokie
When GM stopped making mini-vans it left a hole in the market. Honda’s van is far and above all others. If they could make these wagons more like vans, they may sell better. I like the styling, just make it a van and not a tall wagon. Then again, I am the mini-van target market not some gearhead, horsepower, handling junkie.
10/24, 12:39 PM
posted by:
Patel
This is not a 3-row crossover, it has 2-rows but sits 3 pas. in each. Just like 80’s wagons. Cool.