Hyundai iLoad Review & Buyers Guide

Hyundai iLoad Review & Buyers' Guide

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£12,995 – £15,595

Available as	Engine options	Volume (m³)	Payload (kg)	MPG
Van, Crew Van	2.5TD 114hp	2.5 – 4.3	1,059 – 1,062	TBA

Our Verdict
A well-though-out package that’s worth a second look.

Pity poor Hyundai. It timed its return to the UK van market just as the economy plunged into recession; a recession which had a devastating impact on light commercial sales.

Hopefully van customers will start visiting its dealerships in droves as the recovery strengthens. They should do, because the manufacturer’s sensibly priced and well-thought-out iLoad has a lot to offer.

A rival to models such as Volkswagen’s Transporter and Vauxhall’s Vivaro, the rear-wheel drive iLoad, which is based on the i800 people-carrier, comes with a 4.3m³ load area and can handle payloads of up to 1,062kg. There’s a sliding door on each side of the cargo box.

Power is provided by a 2.5-litre diesel offering 116hp/343Nm — not a bad dollop of torque for a van of this size — married to a five-speed manual gearbox.

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ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are included in the deal, but you pay extra for Electronic Stability Programme, which is a pity. In-cab equipment levels are respectable and include air conditioning if you opt for Comfort rather than entry-level Classic specification.

Out on the highway iLoad handles well, with plenty of feedback through the steering, and digs in nicely whenever you need to tackle an incline. Owners who have to handle a lot of high-speed intercity work may be looking for a bit more top-end power, however, and the ride can be on the nervous side when the van is lightly-laden.

Good to see a five-year/100,000-mile warranty. Shame though that the service interval is pegged at 10,000 miles.

iLoad is also available as a six-seater crew van.