Make no mistake, the Hyundai iLoad is all about work.
A rival to commercial offerings including the Ford Transit Custom, Peugeot Expert, Renault Trafic, Toyota HiAce and Volkswagen Transporter, the iLoad exhibits a slightly more rugged character than the latest crop of mid-size vans, some of which have adopted the latest safety technologies and driver aids.
The Hyundai iLoad has been around since 2008 but underwent a minor facelift in 2018. The update was by no means extensive, comprising a new grille, telescopic steering adjustment (height and reach), an updated 7.0-inch infotainment screen, dusk-sensing headlights and new design for the instrument cluster and trip computer.
The iLoad tested here is the automatic three-seat variant, priced at $41,790 (plus on-road costs).
Much like the van itself, the iLoad range is simple and no-fuss, with four variants in total.
Pricing for the range starts at $38,790 (plus on-road costs), extending to $43,790 (plus on-road costs). There are essentially two choices to make when purchasing: manual or automatic (the latter bringing a $3000 premium), and three-seat or six-seat ‘crew van’ (the latter attracting a $2000 charge).
The other available option is twin rear barn doors in place of a tailgate, which costs an additional $550.
The iLoad range is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder. In five-speed manual form, power and torque is rated at 100kW/343Nm, while the five-speed automatic variants advertise 125kW and 441Nm from the same engine.
The Hyundai iLoad comes with a five-year/160,000km warranty with 12 months roadside assist.
With Hyundai’s iCare you get a lifetime service plan that includes an extra 12 months roadside support every time you get the van serviced at a Hyundai dealer. Service intervals are rated at 12 months or 15,000km, with most services fixed at $356.
The 2019 Hyundai iLoad offers a payload of 1098kg with a GVM of 3160kg and a GCM of 4660kg for the automatic. The maximum towing weight for the auto is set at 1500kg.
The width between the wheel arches in the cargo area is 1272mm, big enough to fit a standard Aussie pallet.
Moreover, there are 10 tie-down points and a cargo barrier in place of a bulk head increasingly utilised by van-makers, many of which include trap doors to squeeze longer loads including PVC pipe and timber.
Our particular test example had a non-slip rubber mat.
One week and 1000km with the iLoad reveals it is a terrific all-rounder. And what’s more, it’s user-friendly, with a layout that is amenable to numerous applications.
The 2.5-litre engine is effective, with accessible torque and a no-fuss premise to the way it goes about its business. Sure, it’s a bit more gruff and audible than rivalling offerings, but has no qualms carting the iLoad’s 2000kg kerb weight around.
Unladen, the iLoad happily zips around town with the speed of sedan car and nearly as comfortably. It’s one shortfall is highway speeds, where the five-ratio auto feels geared too short, causing the engine to tick over at nearly 3000rpm.
Elsewhere, the steering is light at low speeds, if a little vague on feedback, and the 11.2m turning circle makes the iLoad surprisingly manoeuvrable in tight car parks. The rear-drive layout helps it track faithfully through corners.
Loaded with about 600kg in the back, the iLoad performs exceptionally well – maintaining its speed on longer inclines, picking up speed with minimal fuss and maintaining a comfortable, controlled ride.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are worthwhile inclusions, facilitated by a USB port up front. Elsewhere there are two 12-volt power outlets.
The three-seat layout is another boon for the occasional three-up adventure, but you wouldn’t want to be going far; the middle pew features a shortened backrest, no headrest and a simple lap-sash seatbelt. When stowed, the back of the middle seat has two cupholders and tray space.
Large door pockets and storage for paperwork ensure the iLoad is fit for the kind of office environment that many trades utilise them for.
What’s not to like about the iLoad? The interior layout is showing its age, with a rudimentary trip computer and an analogue instrument cluster that is devoid of a digital speedo. Plastics are hard and look cheap compared with contemporary offerings.
The cabin is also one of the noisiest in segment too, with ever-present diesel clutter and road noise combining for noisy progress on highway and coarse-chip surfaces.
In isolation, the iLoad is user friendly and no-fuss, though our recent van comparison test showed it up dynamically compared with the commercial van crop.
A four-star safety rating that dates back to 2011, when requirements weren’t as stringent as today, means the iLoad’s fleet potential is hampered on paper.
The Hyundai iLoad is a solid all-rounder that remains relevant in today’s commercial van market regardless of age.
Over the space of a week, it was user-friendly and dependable in loaded scenarios, with strong foundations that claw back valuable points for not having the latest mod-cons.
Price: $41,790 (as tested, 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: 231g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star ANCAP (2011)