Since its introduction eight years ago, Hyundai's iLoad has carved out a major chunk of Australia's lucrative medium-size van market. In six-speed automatic form the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel reviewed here produces impressive power and torque. The maximum payload is a healthy 1098kg, while the sizeable and functional load bay will appeal to owner/drivers and fleet operators alike.
A key aim of the motoring.com.au crew is to make choosing your next vehicle easier. We do this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews, and seven-day tests.
From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend more time in a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks or up to six months.
Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, pay for the servicing and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.
Manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Six months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest and to start nitpicking – just like real owners do.
That said, we believe long-term tests give car buyers an added insight into the vehicle on test, not to mention the qualities behind the brand and nameplate.
motoring.com.au's recent medium-size van comparison test threw up an interesting anomaly: Australia's two-best-selling vans – the number-one Toyota HiAce and second-placed Hyundai iLoad – trailed behind the rest in our six-strong field. So when Hyundai offered us the same iLoad that took part in that shootout for a long-term test (and before we'd published the shootout review, we might add), we jumped at the chance to get thoroughly acquainted.
Having now spent a few weeks and the best part of 2000 kilometres behind the wheel, we're developing a finer appreciation of the iLoad's simple but practical charms. It suffered in our shootout for its lack of features – most notably its absence of cruise control, a speed limiter, and parking assistance (although sensors and a reversing camera are factory accessories) – but at its core the iLoad is a highly practical workhorse, with a heap of performance to boot.
Our test vehicle sports the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel which, in five-speed automatic form, produces a claimed 125kW at 3600rpm and a potent 441Nm between 2000 and 2250rpm. The six-speed manual drops those outputs back appreciably, while the 2.4-litre petrol engine (available only with a five-speed manual) produces a touch more power but significantly less torque.
On the road the figures translate to swift performance when unladen – stomp on the light and responsive accelerator and the iLoad charges away, sweeping its way forward to highway limits in short order.
The urge is such that the rear-wheel-drive iLoad is prone to wheelspin without a load, the switchable stability control quick, if a little abrupt, to step in and restore order. We know that a decent load (our recent shootout saw 600kg strapped down in the back) irons out any wheelspin issues and also settles the ride nicely, effectively smoothing the smaller bumps and dips that are fairly prominent with an empty load bay.
Generally speaking the MacPherson strut (front) / leaf spring solid axle (rear) suspension setup does a good job. It's certainly at the firmer end of the spectrum but it's far from being painfully harsh when unladen, with enough compliance to maintain grip through the bends, where body roll is controlled nicely.
The well-assisted steering makes pretty light work of manoeuvring in tight confines and we've now acclimatised to the iLoad's longish nose, although the accessory parking sensors would certainly help. The 11.2-metre turning circle is pretty good by the segment's standard, and vision to the rear via the large side mirrors and through the expansive glass in the top-hinged rear door.
Long-term tests are great for revealing the little niggles that can often be missed in a standard review, and already the iLoad has thrown up some irritating quirks.
The remote locking button on the ignition key is way too easy to inadvertently apply when you stick it in your pocket – on several occasions we've walked away from the locked van only to see its blinkers flash again as the button is accidentally depressed.
It's easier than it should be to accidentally leave the indicators on, too, as their clicking sound is barely audible in the cab (although the iLoad's sound suppression is thoroughly acceptable, even without a cargo barrier).
Storage in the cabin is somewhat limited. We like the central dash-top storage bin but it could be bigger, while there's no overhead storage and the twin-compartment glovebox and door pockets aren't exactly generous.
Finally, the cut-out to get your hand under the driver's sun visor is on the right-hand side, which isn't a natural fit for a right-handed driver.
ANCAP gave the iLoad a four-star safety rating back in 2011 and the van benefits from anti-lock brakes, front driver and passenger airbags, and electronic stability control (with traction control) as standard (note: stability control isn't available on the petrol-powered models).
The driver and passenger get three-point, height-adjustable seat belts but anyone in the middle seat cops a basic lap sash belt, which is pretty poor by today's standards.
The iLoad shines, however, for its voluminous cargo bay. Measuring 1270mm between its wheel arches it's more than capable of taking a standard Aussie pallet (1165mm x 1165mm) while the load area is a generous 2730mm long. A total of 10 sturdy tie-down anchor points are provided and the floor has a rubber lining that appears tough and durable. Wooden flooring – offering both strength and grip – is available as a factory accessory ($554.85).
The load bay interior features mid-height internal plastic protection on the walls, with good protection everywhere bar the spots where the rear windows would be found on the iMax people mover. The twin sliding steel doors add extra convenience and the window in the top-hinged rear door features a demister and a wiper. 50/50 barn-style doors are also available for an extra $550.
Thus far the iLoad has returned an average fuel economy of 9.0L/100km. That's largely unladen and in city traffic but we feel it isn't too bad for the performance and capacity on offer. With a 75-litre tank that's a working range of around 800km, although of course this figure will drop once loads are factored in.
Two weeks into its multi-month tenure, the iLoad is proving to be a gusty and highly functional LCV. We've got plenty of time and many kilometres ahead of us to get a thorough handle on the ins and outs of iLoad ownership, so check back soon to see how the workhorse is faring.
2014 Hyundai iLoad pricing and specifications:
Price: $38,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 125kW/441Nm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 232g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star (ANCAP)