2008 Hyundai iLoad Review
April 30, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Hyundai H1 iLoad Review & Road Test
Sure to prove popular with those who have nothing to prove.
Models Tested:
- 2008 Hyundai H1 iLoad Cargo Van 2.4l petrol five speed manual – $29,990 (RRP)
- 2008 Hyundai H1 iLoad Crew Van 2.5l turbo diesel automatic – $38,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint $350; Twin Swing Tail Gate $550; Locking Differential $700; Nudge Bar $650; Tow Bar with Ball & Harness $550; Rhino Full Technicians Roof Rack System $1,260; Air Conditioning Curtain $185; Cargo Barrier $495
Diesel Engine a winner, Loads of Room, Built Tough & Simple
Petrol Engine too weak, Exposed Wiring Loom on Barn Doors
CarAdvice Rating: 
(Petrol)
CarAdvice Rating: (Diesel)
- by Matt Brogan
When you think of heading out to buy your next work van, the choices are rather astonishing. It would seem there’s a never ending array of wheel bases, roof heights and engine combinations to choose from, all of which soon enough start adding up to only one thing – a rather large bill.
Wouldn’t it be nice if someone offered you a dependable, basic work vehicle which was not only cheap to purchase, but cheap to run, cheap to service and offered a warranty second to none? Now, someone has.
Hyundai have made a big impact on the large van sector this year with the introduction of their all new, Turkish built iLoad commercial and iMax passenger orientated van series.
iLoad Cargo Van in ‘Crystal White’
Determined to offer the value associated with the brand whilst losing none of the durable and, dare I say it, unbreakable reliability this sector of vehicles requires, the i-Series vans are sure to prove popular among those who have nothing to prove.
All too often now the trades vehicle is either an over priced Euro offering that spends too much time in the shop, or a small car based utility that’s more show pony than work horse. The iLoad on the other hand is neither of these things and instead promises to fill the gap with modest, reliable transport for just about any application.
The first of our contenders is the petrol powered Cargo Van. It’s well built, easy to drive, surprisingly manoeuvrable, and although a little more gutless than its diesel cousin, is nonetheless fluid to drive and very stable, even at highway speeds.
The 2.4 litre DOHC four cylinder petrol develops 129kW @ 6,000rpm but lacks the ability to rev quickly with only 228Nm available from 4,200 revs. The result is an engine that is challenged when confronted with any considerable payload and struggles to perform well in traffic or on the open road, especially if hills are involved.
Sitting rather high in the semi-bonneted front the engine has one saving grace in that it drives the rear wheels giving a very positive feel through corners. The five speed manual offers a good spread of cogs and is rather light to use with a decent clutch helping things along considerably.
ADR fuel consumption tests claim 10.1 litres / 100km (combined), though in a week of driving – mainly around town and mainly unloaded – I found this very hard to believe. Our tests managed mid 12s and I’d dare say this would be even higher with a little weight on board.
iLoad Crew Van in ‘Sleek Silver’
The middle (or third) seat offers only a lap type seat belt and is perhaps wide enough only for a skinny apprentice thanks to the floor mounted centre hand brake and is more useful with the tray flipped down offering small work area and two additional cup holders to those already offered in the dash. If you need to carry the team, Crew Van is definitely the pick of the pair.
A decent spread of creature comforts are offered as standard including remote central locking, AM/FM audio with single CD, power steering, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, front and rear mud flaps and tilt adjustable steering. I’d like to have seen cruise control fitted, even as an option, and perhaps the inclusion of bluetooth given the vehicle’s application.
Twin sliding side doors and optional rear barn doors (lift type standard) offer easy access to the cargo area which offers 2375mm long x 1620mm wide (1260 between the arches) x 1350mm high dimensions over a leaf sprung rear end giving a maximum 1055kg payload.
The barn doors’ exposed wiring looms for the rear demister could pose an issue with objects catching them on entry/egress but are far easier to utilise than the giant lift gate and require far less parking space to open. Were it mine I’d be taping those wires down to avoid catching.
iLoad is available in petrol manual or diesel manual / auto.
Ten tie down points, a thick moulded rubber floor mat and enclosed side panels provide a spacious, usable area which could easily be fitted out with shelving or racks to suit almost any trade use imaginable. Courier drivers will appreciate the 11.2 metre turning circle and dual side access too.
Crew Van on the other hand offers a little more flexibility should your work crew involve more than one other bloke and / or you have a family to consider on the weekends. With an extra row of seating offering three additional seats, cargo space is of course compromised, but the ability to carry the troops means added flexibility.
Powered by a 2.5 litre turbo diesel developing 125kW @ 3,800rpm and a very hearty 392Nm from just 2,000rpm the common rail DOHC unit offers brilliant driving dynamics and superb flowing performance, far beyond that expected from a commercial orientated set-up. The fuel economy offered is also excellent coming in at 8.5 litres / 100km for the manual and 9.6 litres for the auto.
It is also a far better option not only for the benefits offered in terms of drivability and fuel economy, but for the flexibility to carry some extra weight. The CRDi engine offers 500kg greater towing capacity (up to 2,000kg – braked) and an extra 69kg payload, taking the total to 1,076kg.
Having driven both the manual and automatic diesel i-Series vans now, I’d have to say my pick is the manual variant. The auto tends to be indecisive on kick-down, often selecting two cogs back when one would have done, especially at 100km/h. It’s an otherwise smooth an easy transmission, but the manual is, for this application, a far better choice given the spread of gears offered.
At the end of the day the iLoad is sure to become a popular alternative for trade and courier buyers not only for the price tag, but because it’s simple, tough, well built and most importantly durable.
With Hyundai’s ever growing reputation for well priced, good quality products, and the iLoad van series’ combination of value and size, this new comer is an absolute winner.
- iLoad Petrol Specifications:
- Engine: 2359cc four-cylinder
- Power: 129kW @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 228Nm @ 4,200 rpm
- Transmission: Five Speed Manual
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Wheels: Steel 16″ x 6.5″
- Warranty: Five Years/160,000kms
- Fuel Type: Regular Unleaded Petrol
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 litres
- Fuel Consumption: 10.1 l (M)
- Weight: 2,950kg (Gross)/1,943 (Tare)
- Towing Capacity: 1,500kg (Braked)
- Safety: ABS, EBD, Dual Front Airbag
- iLoad Diesel Specifications:
- Engine: 2497cc four-cylinder
- Power: 125kW @ 3,800 rpm
- Torque: 392Nm @ 2,000 rpm
- Transmission: Five Speed Auto
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Wheels: Steel 16″ x 6.5″
- Warranty: Five Years/160,000kms
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 litres
- Fuel Consumption: 8.5 l (M)/9.6 l (A)
- Weight: 3,230kg (Gross)/2,156 (Tare)
- Towing Capacity: 2,000kg (Braked)
- Safety: ABS, EBD, Dual Front Airbags
Print it: 
They should start making Utes aswell, take on the hilux and the others
They could call it the iUte or iTruck
Falcon Ute on LPG fitted with a canopy would KILL this iload, and have $10k in your pocket….
Cheers
F-0
Yeah, a falcon could really receive a fully laden pallet in the back…not! Not even in the same league FO.
FO, bullshit.
Ute does not offer 2nd row seat, and all your cargo gets wet. With a canopy you can’t get loads of any height in, let alone have side access.
No ute competes with any van, that’s just a stupid assertion.
Steve -
The canopy is easy and light to remove!
I can load 2 x Chep pallets [and still have room left] on my cab-chassis tray FROM THE SIDE [not the rear, where you wont even be able to push them inside a van] together with the load being to high to fit in the rear door of a van anyway……
Had 2 vans and 5 utes, Utes win
Falcon 2
iload o
Cheers
F-0
RECKLESS -
Test drove the iload and it was ok, not as good as a euro van or hiace, but better than a skoda van.
My falcon is a 3 seater, and its only jnr. that sits in the middle and the rooms ok.Has a 3 oint seat belt too, unlike the lap belt rubbish that the iload has.
I carry tarps and ropes in my underbody tool-boxes, not that it rains all that much in melb…..groan!
The lorry-load will be a cheap buy in 12 months time like all korean cars are 2nd hand.Oh, and they are wayyyyyyyy overpriced for a korean pos
Cheers
F-0
SPAM WORK “KIA” as in my ex KiaBongo aka Pregio!
I agree F-O, plus the fact that like all of the korean ventures into a new segment, they look good on paper but end up falling way by the wayside…Kia Pregio anyone…?
Beware the vapid tongue of the Fugal One!!!
The dual cab version looks good.
I wonder if this will put a fight to the HiAce, which I think has been segment leader for 20 years or something now?
JW – I think it may do just that, it’s everybit as good. If people get over the badge, and buy on merit, the iSeries vans should prove very popular.
will have to come in significantly under Hiace pricing to counter the hallo factor. People prepared to pay 30-40% more for peace of mind especially if it’s for business and a tax right off.
At least Hyundai have made an effort to impart some styling and finesse to an otherwise work mule.
Contrast to the Hiace which is strictly a box on wheels and no apologies at stupid prices.
I think the dual cab should win some sales given the versatility of payload and seating for six.
If anything should inspire Toyota to get real with the ask for the Hiace!
Frugal One – you may well be right about the ute thing but its infair to say because they are in completely different leagues. And also Skoda only make one van and its considerably smaller than this (its a roomster with no back seats or back windows) and they dont sell it here.
Frugal One, What SKODA van would that be???
Skoda has not made a van since the fall of communism more then a decade ago?? And as the other guys said, your talking crap, van and a ute is are not even in the same league…
Plus in a Falcon ute you dont get the benefits of sitting upright!!
Alex/TOMMO -
Back in the early days [geez i am old!]the WORST P.O.S on the market was Skoda [still are, ed.!] so when ever you want to associate a vehicle with low quailty c/rap it was always a SKODA!
Of course these days skoda are just cloned Golfs.
Yes agree, the Van is a overpriced vehicle, its $900 cheaper than a HiAce, wonder which a tradesman is going to buy??
The ONLY thing in lorry-iloads favour is the SIX-MONTH waiting list on most models of HiAces, so it might be a grude sale, pay more for a HiAce get it back at the end as in trade-in time.EVERYBODY wants a 2nd hand HiAce and HiLux.
Cheers
F-0
REALCARS -
They ask and GET the price of the HiAce, tradesman dont think its expensive at all.
When i was looking for a new commercial vehicle, all i got “order today come and see us in 4 – 6 months for delivery”
Its the right price, Toyota have been at it for decades, they sell and well and no issues [other than the wait]
Cheers
F-0
PS If you want a GREAT van get a Scudo by FIAT..!
iLoad… The name reminds me of a movie I saw last night.
Maybe so F-O but I still think they are way overpriced for what they are. If the Hyundai pricing is that close then I doubt they will make much ingress other than for the wait u mentioned.
While the sun is still shining and we are all making hay the big ask may be ok but wait until a recession comes along and the cash flows start to dwindle and they will all be looking for low klm Pregios. LOL.
If hyundai want to get serious they need to offer a Long Wheel Base model. The load area might be wider than most Japanese vans but its much shorter. The Hiace is around 450mm longer internally. For a tradesman fitting shelving or racking inside the extra width doesnt give extra storage when you consider that the shelving units run down the sides of the van and are a standard depth. I think the pricing is competitive but the durability claim is yet to be tested.
Frugal-One in another words your talking sh*t… Since there is no Skoda Vans on the market!! Also obviously your mental age has yet to catch up with your physical age, if you reckon
skoda’s are the biggest POS on the market, given your tastes!! So what VW clone is the Roomster exactly then?
Anyone that is currently knocking Skoda quality is frankly, not worth listening to for a second.
Until you have driven a current Skoda – you are just not in any position to put this brand down.
I can’t think of any writer here at Car Advice who hasn’t rated Skoda highly. That’s the driving experience AND the quality of the panel fit and fit out.
40+ grand for a Hyundai Van? A waiting list almost as long as the HiAce? Its not gonna work unless they drop the price further IMO.
“The 2.4 litre DOHC four cylinder petrol develops 129kW @ 6,000rpm but lacks the ability to rev quickly with only 228Nm available from 4,200 revs. The result is an engine that is challenged when confronted with any considerable payload and struggles to perform well in traffic or on the open road, especially if hills are involved.”
AMEN Aussie 6 Falcon Ute
Pure GRUNT!
Cheers
F-0
When i was a kid my father used to call the thongs, “Japanese safety boots”….now that wouldn’t make sense to a generation Y…..so i think we have to judge Skoda and Hyundai on what they are doing NOW not 20 or 30 years ago, having said that not offering cruise control even as an option is not good enough specially the way motorists are continually harassed by revenue raising cops and fixed cameras!!!
We’ve always used Ford Econovans, since Ford don’t sell them anymore (stupid decision) and won’t import the Transit Connect van (also stupid decision) I’m gonna have to change brands. I won’t buy the overpriced Hi-ace with its low ground clearance and boxy shape, the Euro vans are also overpriced and have suspect reliability. I’m not convinced this Hyundau is the answer either, how does Car Advice know it will be reliable as they suggest – only time will tell. Just as well the Econovans go forever, looks like I’ll have to stick with the ones we’ve got.
All this talk of this van being overpriced is crap. 40k for a 2.5l diesol with the latest state of the art comon rail injection system with intercooled turbo deisol engine. No other van on the market comes close. The hiace is old hat next to this car and is considerably more dosh.
Hyundai’s reliability is proven and the fact they’re willing to back this with such a warranty only proves they’re not mucking around. As to the build quality / engineering questions? As an engineer I can tell you the design and level of finish offered is both sound and for the R&D dollars spent – impressive. Hyundai aren’t what everyone makes them out to be (well not any more at least) and I’d ask anyone who judges the product without actually driving one to go and ask the local salesman for a steer. Same goes for Skoda.
I have and did PASS on the lorry-iload.
NO REGRETS!
Cheers,
F-0
FU, Why are you calling it a lorry-iload? I dont get the humour. Please explain
Frugal One, why do you bother to even comment on any Hyundai post, when all you do is be extremly negative, the funny thing is i think secretly you like Hyundai, other wise, why would you be reading up on every Hyundai Story and leaving comments behind…
Closet Hyundai Lover.
Chad you are 100% correct again and I think you have described about 80% of the population.The amount of good comments from friends about my Tucson V6 but the last comment is “But I could never buy a Hyundai” very sad because I know they want to.
Just bought an iLoad Diesel Auto (a demo) this morning for $36980 Drive Away (incl 2 door windows and rubber carpet, still wondering if I made a right choice, I work as Parcel Contractor for Australia Post, that’s mean I stop literally 10 houses on every street (around 170 houses a day), I decided on iLoad because to get into the driver seat isnt as high as the HiAce, and I think lets worry about resale later on, I saw on Carsales.com a few HiAce with bloody good price (cheap and perfect condition) and it dont sell for about 2 months, my Toyota Echo dont sell privately either, so forget resale, I like the iLoad because its an SBV (which mean safer) in UK and Europe they dont sell this HiAce, but they sell the SBV (looks like iLoad-machine on the front) model, and iLoad got ABS among others and it drives like a sedan. So Toyota selling lots of HiAce because Telstra use it and others follow. My head telling me HiAce, my heart told me iLoad, like all man, the heart win!!!
I still remembers when I was young, buying Japs product mean cheap stuff, now every stores put Made in Japan as THE quality product.
Well done KA, You made a wise decision, and the right choice. Just because heaps of boring , unimagineative[is that a word] tradies follow the majority and buy a hiace, doesnt make it a great car. Mcdonalds sell a lot of burgers but that not make it fine cuisine!
The Iload is a superior van in every way.
Thanks ET. its makes me feel better and not feel stupid for not following with the flock. I will take delivery next Tuesday. This will be my 5th van since I started 6 years ago, the first was a flop – an Mercedes MB100, then a HiAce SBV, then HiAce Diesel (1995 Model), present Mitsubishi Express WalkThru which is way better than the Express ‘flat nose’ but drink lots of fuel. So hopefully this iLoad will be the last and I can proof its a great van, which I am sure, it has a fantastic design from any angle, my wife the one wants me to buy this one…
Ka:
You certainly have made the right choice as the iload is way ahead of the competition in every department. I had a look at the “new” Hiace van (which we will probably get in Australia soon) at Toyota’s UK web-site & can tell you that even though the new van looks great inside & out, the specs don’t match up to Hyundai’s iload. My local Hyundai dealer also told me that the diesel engined iload is better than the petrol version.
Cheers !
Lightbulb: Yes, yhe iLoad is a 2008 model, HiAce, Vito, Traffic, VW they are all 2004 model and just been cosmetically upgraded, I couldnt sleep before making a decision, as the HiAce Diesel and iLoad is exactly same price, but I went ahead to the Hyundai dealer and decided then and there. Thanks for your support. I also installed front bullbar ($995) and Parktronic ($595) the later is important as I hit trees, lightpole many times…..by the way, as this was a demo model (only 3500 KMS) it also has a barn door! I dont think Toyota will import the SBV (UK and Euro only) as they are selling the present ‘flat nose’ likes hot cakes, they wouldnt want the SBV to eat it, remember a few years ago they did have the SBV model, but discontinued….Thanks Lightbulb.
KA -
You will pay in the long run, if the HiAce is the same price you would have to be mad to buy a Lorry-Load for the same coin.
Just wait till you trade it, the HiAce will be worth AT LEAST 35% more.So in theory you could have paid 35% more for the HiAce and it would be worth the same in 3 years time.
Toyota’s are very very strong on the 2nd hand market, esp. the HiLux, Toyota shoud advertise that more.
Cheers
F-O
Ka:
I just looked at Hyundai’s web-site again & in the accessories section there is only a reference to a “alloy nudge-bar”. In your post you mentioned a bull-bar (for $995) & I am wondering if you are referring to the nudge bar or an after market bull-bar ? Either way it is a very sensible purchase but if there was a full frontal bull-bar made for the iload I would certainly consider buying it.
Cheers !
Lightbulb: Yes it is alloy nudge bar, factory made and fitted by them, I hit a few fences that’s why I installed them.
And to Frugal One: Thanks and appreciated your input, it was a very difficult decision, I know that in the long run HiAce has a better (and faster sell) resell, even though they have only 3 years warranty, as they already have strong market, but then for my work (Australia Post Parcel Delivery) HiAce just a bit too high to get in and out, and the Hyundai is more comfortable in the cabin. But my heart is telling me to buy Hyundai and my brain HiAce, finally my heart won! I have bought and sold so many cars in my life and God knows how much I lost! I remembers once I bought from an auction as SBV HiAce for $20G and after 18 months sold it to a Toyota Dealer for $22G and they sold it for $25G, so my principle is I lost it here and I ‘made’ it there. But again, remember Hyundai Getz when they first arrive? It was a flop, but after RAC declared it Best Small Car of the Year, they sold like hot peanuts same goes to the i30, its takes RAC to endorse it, who knows one day some organisations declared iLoad is Best Van of the Year….then my resell will be better, I just try to have faith, by the way what van do you drive? HiAce I bet!
Frugal One: Yeah, I saw the Scudo, wants it but think about the resell and no auto, and the price, so opt it out. Read your input, you have the Falcon Ute, if my work permit, I would buy the Ford (or is it Holden? Pardion my ignorant) Crewman, on March issue Wheel magazine, Holden (GMC) designed a ute called Denali XT, that ute looks like Hummer H2 little cousin, its fair dinkum, but EXPORT only to the Yanks, what a pity! its a real beauty design wise. Byt back to van, Iveco seems very reliable, but too expensive.
KA -
All the best to you!
ALL vans are far to expensive.
I purchased the Falcon because the LPG factory system was only $500 and he ute
Ta. You are lucky FO, to choose between Pamela Anderson and Elle McPherson but you got Kylie Minoque! They all are expensive to keep! Maybe should just take the dole and become a dole bludger and just be happy with Sheila! Ha
Took my mate (an airconditioning installer) to see the iLoad yesterday, well, he was the HiAce ‘Man’ (driving it now), VW Transporter ‘Lover’ (almost buy one) and a closet Renault Traffic ‘Admirer’ and a Hyundai ‘Hater’, BUT after seeing and test driving and see all the specs and quality of the iLoad, he bought one then and there. Another converted van man. Enough said.
KA -
Realllllllllly tried to love it, but did’nt happen.
Centre seat is rubbish, is the CENTRE passenger not worth it?
No head rest on centre seat.
No 3-point seat belt on centre seat.
No trip computer.
No cruise control.
LPG not permitted on ULP.
No A/T on ULP.
WAY over the odds price.
ULP engine to small for the job.
Mark my words, will be king-hit at trade in time, they all do [esp. Korean stuff] only BigT products have demand 2nd/3rd hand.
Cheers
F-0
PS Very happy with the LPG fired Falcon!
Yep, as I said this iLoad is perfect for my Parcel Post job, as I use the center seat and passenger seat for my tub (containing parcels), I bought the diesel not the ULP, cruise control an option add $799, not needed as I stop a lot on one street. I try to keep this one at least 5 years or more, so when time to sell, I wont lose much, and its Company car anyway. Good Riding with your Falcon. Have you seen that Denada X3 as I mentioned? You will like it!
Frugal One… you really are a d..khead.. seriously. Wake Up and realise your in 2008
How old are you? really?
Well, after 2 weeks today, finally I will take delivery of my DEMO iLoad tomorrow, 2 weeks just to put 2 windows on the sliding doors and a reversing sensor…and the alloy nudge bar and rubber matt still pending, it has to come from Korea!!!! I wish Hyundai is more organised in stocking those items before they sell them under accesories!!! So rather dissapointed in the way they work, Honda is more up todate. I bought an Accord and all items on hand in a matter of days.
Ka: Congratulations & I agree that car makers should have the accessories on hand when you buy the vehicle. The accessories you have like side windows, reversing sensor & nudge bar will make your iload much easier to drive & park. I am surprised that there is a wider choice of colors for the iload compared to the imax, but my favorite is traditional white.
Cheers !
Thanks Lightbuld. White is OK, as MOST courier company prefers white. I wish its come in beige though!!! But then I couldnt use it for work.
Another thing, I will have to fill it up with diesel tomorrow. 75l X $1.83= $136.50. OOUUUCH!!!!