Hyundai has replaced its iLoad with the radically different Staria Load.
It’s on sale in September 2021, though versions with the twin rear doors will go on sale later in the fourth quarter of 2021.
UPDATE, 6/10/21 – More images of the Australian Staria Load range have been released. We’ve added these to this existing article. Our first review of the Staria Load is coming soon.
It’ll be available in either two-seat van or five-seat crew van configurations, with a choice of the twin rear doors or a liftback.
Prices start at $45,740 before on-road costs, around $3000 pricier than the cheapest automatic iLoad.
There’s no longer a price-leader manual variant.
The Staria Load rides on the N3 platform shared with the likes of the Kia Carnival and Hyundai Santa Fe that’s said to be lighter and more rigid than the old iLoad platform.
That means it’s front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive like the iLoad, though unlike the people mover Staria it features a solid rear axle and leaf spring rear suspension.
The larger dimensions have also translated to a more spacious cargo bay.
Cargo volume is up from 4426L to 4935L on the VDA standard, which means the cargo bay can now swallow three Euro pallets instead of two.
The load height has been lowered from 614mm to 573mm, while the effective door opening width has increased from 645mm to 870mm.
The load bay also includes eight tie-down points and various mounting points for accessories.
There’s been a huge increase in the amount of standard safety equipment.
While the iLoad lacked even autonomous emergency braking, the Staria Load includes it plus lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, safe exit warning and intelligent speed limit assist.
There’s also adaptive cruise control with stop/go and a surround-view camera, the latter only on models with the lift-up tailgate.
The suite of active safety and driver assist features is the most comprehensive in the segment, even more so than the likes of the Ford Transit Custom.
Pricing
- 2022 Hyundai Staria Load Van: $45,740
- 2022 Hyundai Staria Load Crew Van: $48,240
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The 2022 Hyundai Staria Load is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 130kW of power and 430Nm of torque. That’s up 5kW but down 11Nm.
Power is sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. No manual is available like in the iLoad.
Fuel Economy
The 2022 Hyundai Staria Load uses 7.0L/100km on the combined cycle, compared to 8.8L/100km in the old iLoad with an automatic.
Dimensions
The cargo bay measures 2607mm long, 1640mm wide and 1436mm tall, up 232mm, 20mm and 94mm on the old iLoad.
Hyundai hasn’t released official exterior dimensions, but the Staria people mover is 5253mm long with a 3273mm wheelbase, 1997mm wide, and 1990mm tall.
The Staria Load has a braked towing capacity of 2500kg, an unbraked capacity of 750kg, and a towball download of 100kg.
Payload in two-seat models is 1090kg, with a gross vehicle mass of 3020kg.
Servicing and Warranty
Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
The first five services are priced at $360 each.
Hyundai covers its cars with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Safety
The Staria Load and its people mover sibling have yet to be tested by ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection plus junction-turning assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane-following assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Surround-view camera (liftback only)
- Leading vehicle departure alert
- Driver attention warning
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Safe exit warning
- Seven airbags, including a front-centre airbag
Standard Equipment
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Qi wireless phone charging
- 17-inch steel wheels
- Full-size spare
- Electronic parking brake
- Selectable drive modes
- Automatic headlights
- 4.2-inch driver information display
- Heated, power-folding mirrors
- Tilt and telescopic steering column
- Black cloth upholstery
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Colours
Creamy White solid paint is standard, with Shimmering Silver metallic a $695 option.
