Hyundai iLoad: Medium LCV Comparison 2014

Hyundai iLoad H1 2.5 CRDi

Execution of intended purpose
The load bay in Hyundai's iLoad presents as a no-frills but highly functional affair, with a full-length rubber floor lining, felt-lined wall panels and a total of 10 very sturdy tie-down points.

Hyundai claims a cargo area of 4.4 cubic metres for the iLoad but we can only assume it's adopted a different definition of the area to its competitors – certainly it has one of the longest load bays (bar Trafic) and it offers the most space between its wheel arches of any vehicle on test, even if its floor-to-ceiling height is on the lower side (equal lowest with HiAce). Its load floor height is middle of the range at 590mm.

Access is via two all-steel sliding doors and a top-hinge rear door (with wiper and demister) but the apertures for each fall to the smaller end of the scale in present company.

There's a utilitarian feel to the iLoad's cabin – the instrumentation is basic but highly legible and the layout is simple but effective. A-pillar grab handles afford easy entry and the seating is reasonable – for comfort it's on a par with the Trafic, if below the standard of the Transit Custom, Vito and Scudo.

Internal storage is adequate. We love the twin gloveboxes, the (admittedly smallish) concealed dash-top bay, the twin-deck sidepockets (with bottle holders), and the fold-down workspace/cup holders in the centre seat, but that's about the extent of it.

A dedicated bin under the passenger seats wouldn't hurt, but the twin spring-loaded cup holders that pull out of the centre console are a nice touch.

Visibility is reasonable thanks to sizeable side mirrors and the large top-hinge rear door.

The iLoad's towing capacity is at the lower end of the scale here, the auto transmission dropping it back from the 2000kg of the manual version to 1500kg – only the HiAce's towing capacity is lower (1400kg).

With 73dBA measured in the cabin at 80km/h the iLoad is among the quietest of the vehicles on test, bettered only by the ultra-quiet Transit Custom.

But there are anomalies. For a start, in the cab area it features the only soft-touch dash in this group, as well as nicely tactile instrument panel knobs and switches. But the seat trim doesn’t look as kindly disposed to wear and tear as some others and the floor inexplicably is covered with a Feltex-style fabric rather than durable and easy-to-clean rubberised material.

The door pockets look tough enough for commercial use and, in addition to a snap-shut handle above the passenger door, entry grab handles are provided on either A-pillar.

Where the Hyundai indicates some quality compromises is in the paint. This shows some signs of ‘orange peel’ and questionable coverage in less exposed areas such as the cargo bay where the matte finish looks downmarket.

And although the single-sealed inner doors are cleanly finished off, the regularity of the panel gaps and even the way they match up in some places smacks of commercial rather than passenger-car attention to detail.

But the cargo area – even if the moulded floor cover looks a bit thin and possibly damage-prone – does have a second protective skin for the lower half of the side panels.

Under the bonnet (held open, as all others in this test, by a prop), there’s maybe a bit more room to move than the front-wheel-drive contenders, with a clean presentation and easy access to (non-colour-coded) regular service items.

On the road
The iLoad is the rocketship of this review. The six-speed automatic form of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel on test delivers a claimed 125kW and 441Nm – 5kW and 81Nm more than its closest rival here, the Vito.

That translates to gusty acceleration and excellent haulage capability – we certainly appreciate the traction control to keep the rear-wheel-drive iLoad in check.

Our acceleration tests show the iLoad is the fastest on test from a standing start but the Vito matches it in the rolling tests – everything else trails behind (see break-out box).

You pay for the performance at the pump, however – the iLoad's comparative fuel consumption is equal to the Vito's; only the Transit Custom fares worse.

The iLoad's fairly basic suspension package keeps things composed. The ride is firmer than most in this company and that translates to a harsher ride when unladen, but with 600kg in the back its behaviour is impeccable.

The iLoad barely notices the extra weight as it powers up inclines and it hangs on nicely through the turns with body roll kept to a minimum. There's little detectable vibration and in general the driving experience is refined.

We noted the 'clicking' sound for the indicators was very quiet; it's too easy to inadvertently leave them on. A minor quibble…

The 11.2-metre turning circle is decent but care is needed in tight confines due to the iLoad's longish nose. Front and rear parking sensors are available as accessories.

Value for money
Hyundai’s punchy (it leads the test in both power and torque) iLoad turbo-diesel is equipped here with the optional automatic transmission, bringing the as-tested price to $38,990 (plus on-road costs); right in the middle of our comparison group.

Driver and passenger airbags are fitted as standard to the iLoad, as is air-conditioning and Bluetooth-streaming audio with MP3/USB/CD capability. Cruise control is missing, however.

Metallic paint is available for $695 and a timber floor can be fitted for an additional $440.

As in the passenger car segment, the level of after-sales service Hyundai provides remains impressive, the iLoad being added to the capped-price servicing plan. This is available for a 36-month/45,000km period, with 12-month/15,000km service intervals.

Additionally, the iLoad gains a 60-month/160,000km warranty and complimentary roadside assistance, extended at each service for a total of seven years' cover.

Back in 2011, the iLoad was the same price as today ($38,990). Today expect a median resale price of the 2011 model to be $28,450, an impressive retained value of 73 per cent according to redbook.com.au.

Suitable integration of technology
The iLoad looks the part and offers a generous suite of technology, but scored the lowest aggregate score thanks in part to no cruise control or speed limiter and limited trip computer features.

Although the final scores see the Hyundai finish last, a few points shy of the equal-fourth-placed Fiat Scudo and Renault Trafic, it isn’t all bad news.

The iLoad features a number of items seen on its rivals on this occasion, including Bluetooth connectivity for telephony and audio streaming, electric windows and mirrors, multifunction steering wheel, rear window wiper, washer and demister and a well-ventilated cabin.

It features one front cabin light and one light in the cargo area.

In the absence of clear labels or navigation paths, setting up the Hyundai’s Bluetooth was left to guesswork. Sometime after, it was connected and working a treat. But as far as user-friendliness goes, the aging Toyota HiAce delivers a far better experience.

Hyundai iLoad 2.5 CRDi pricing and specifications
Price: $38,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel