You wait ages for one, then two come along at once. Not buses but taxi-friendly mega-mileage warranties on big people-carriers: the Ssangyong Rodius and Hyundai i800.
The Rodius is now available with a three-year/250,000-mile warranty aimed specifically at taxi drivers, with whom the seven-seat Ssangyong is already a bit hit.
The Ssangyong Rodius has a two-two-three seating layout, a huge boot, plenty of equipment, and pricing from £14,995. A 163bhp 2.7-litre diesel engine provides 32.1mpg economy.
The 250,000-mile warranty covers major components: engine, transmission, wheel bearings, brakes and electronic components. Plus provision of a replacement Rodius if the original is off the road.
Meanwhile, competition in the airport and business taxi market is hotting up. A new eight-seat Hyundai i800 has arrived. It features a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
With all seats in use, the Hyundai i800 still offers 851 litres of boot space. Its 168bhp 2.5-litre engine returns 33.2mpg.
The Hyundai i800 is available in one trim level: spec includes air conditioning, privacy glass, six-speaker stereo, ESP stability control and reversing sensors.
The Hyundai i800 goes on sale 20 June, priced at £19,495. It will be joined later in the year by a cheaper i800 with less power and a lower specification.
Latest cars for business taxi market
- Ssangyong Rodius 3-year/250,000 mile warranty, seven seats
- Hyundai i800 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, eight seats
Rodius and i800 aimed at small business taxi market
