Hyundai Staria Load pricing and specs

The all-new 2021 Hyundai Staria Load van will go on sale in Australia from September, taking over from the iLoad with a fresh platform, new engine and drivetrain, enhanced load-lugging appeal and a major injection of cutting-edge safety technology.

Following the recent release of the new Hyundai Staria people-mover, which itself supersedes the Hyundai iMax, the Hyundai Staria Load hits the Aussie market priced from $45,740 plus on-road costs in a two-seater format, or $48,240 plus ORCs as a five-seater crew van.

The new generation sees Hyundai’s medium van offering switch from a rear-drive format to front-drive, while the previous 2.5-litre diesel engine with either five-speed automatic or six-speed manual makes way for a new 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel mated to an eight-speed auto only.

The Hyundai Staria Load will only be offered with the one engine in front-drive; no petrol or all-wheel drive variants will be available, as found within the Staria people-mover line-up.

Given the new auto-only format, the entry-level two-seater Staria Load is now $6060 dearer than the superseded entry-level three-seater manual iLoad, or $3030 dearer than the three-seater auto.

Similarly, the five-seater Staria Load crew van is $6540 dearer than the previous six-seater manual iLoad crew van, or $3510 dearer than the old six-seater auto.

The new 2.2CRDi engine in the 2021 Hyundai Staria Load produces 130kW at 3800rpm and 430Nm from 1500-2500rpm, compared to 125kW at 3600rpm and 441Nm at 2000-2250rpm for the iLoad.

However, fuel economy has improved, Hyundai claiming a figure of 7.0L/100km for the Staria Load as opposed to 8.8L/100km for the old iLoad (auto), or 7.6L/100km for the manual iLoad. The braked towing capacity has also increased from 1500kg to 2500km.

Despite the towing boost, Hyundai Australia quotes a modest maximum tow ball downweight of just 100kg for its genuine accessory tow ball.

The Hyundai Santa Fe underpinnings of the new Staria Load are claimed to provide a more comfortable, passenger-car-like ride and handling, according to the car-maker.

The platform is both lighter and more rigid than that of the outgoing van, however the Staria Load comes with a solid rear axle and rear leaf-spring suspension, underlining its commercial imperative.

Hyundai says cargo capacity has improved significantly, with the new Staria Load’s cargo bay boasting enhanced volume (4935 litres, +509L), more length (2607mm, +232mm), greater width (1640mm, +20mm) and more height (1436mm, +96mm).

Hyundai says the Staria Load will now accept two Australian pallets, while load access is improved due to a lower load floor height (573mm, down 41mm) and a wider side aperture (870mm, +225mm).

The Staria Load will be available with either a top-hinge tailgate or barn-style rear doors, the latter coming on line in the final quarter of 2021.

Gross vehicle mass has dropped from 3160kg for the iLoad to 3020kg for the Staria Load, while maximum payload is down slightly, from 1098kg to 1090kg.

The van’s load bay is equipped with eight tie-down anchor points along with felt board trim for additional internal protection.

Like the passenger-focused Staria, the Load has also made large gains when it comes to technology and especially safety, with an extensive list of features now standard on both two- and five-seater models.

With swoopy, ultra-modern exterior styling that’s said to resemble a spaceship, the Staria Load’s futuristic appearance goes further than skin deep…

Now benefiting from Hyundai’s SmartSense suite, the features run to forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and pedestrian/cyclist detection, dynamic lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, along with seven airbags (including front centre airbag) and an intelligent speed limiter.

‘Safe exit warning’ and ‘leading vehicle departure alert’ are also standard, along with four driving modes, tyre pressure monitoring, auto headlights, front and rear parking sensors, an electronic park brake with auto hold function and a ‘surround view monitor’ (tailgate models only).

Meanwhile, driver comfort and convenience is addressed with an 8.0-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, new instrumentation, a wireless smartphone charger and a leather-appointed steering wheel with integrated controls, the latter also adjustable for both tilt and reach.

The 2022 Hyundai Staria Load comes backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty. Service intervals are pegged at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, with the first five services priced at $360 each under Hyundai’s Lifetime Service Plan.

The model comes with black cloth seating in a standard white colour scheme, or in Shimmering Silver Metallic paint for a $695 premium.

For all its gains and progression, the new Hyundai Staria Load has some very well-defined tyre tracks to follow. The Hyundai iLoad won itself a legion of fans since its launch in Australia in 2008, earning itself a big reputation for no-fuss commercial ability and value.

To the end of August 2021, Hyundai has sold 2365 examples of its iLoad, equating with a market share of 13.7 per cent. That places it second in the medium van market behind the dominant Toyota HiAce (5945 units, 34.4%) and just ahead of the Ford Transit Custom (2219 units, 12.8%), which has made solid gains in recent years.

Now that the workaday exterior and relatively basic fit-out of Hyundai’s medium van has made way for a smart new face and an impressive list of smart new features, Hyundai will be hoping Australia’s tradies, couriers, fleets and business owners will recognise the value and benefits behind the extra outlay, in this exceedingly price-sensitive segment.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Staria Load cost?
Van – $45,740
Crew Van – $48,240
* Prices exclude on-road costs