2021 Hyundai Staria details emerge, Hyundai iLoad van almost sold out

Hyundai dealers could soon be faced with a black-out on delivery vans as stock of the runout iLoad sells faster than expected – and they have not been given an estimated arrival time for the new model, the spaceship-like Hyundai Staria.

Remaining dealer stock of the Hyundai iLoad is being mopped up by businesses big and small in the lead up to the end of the financial year on June 30.

Dealers are concerned they won’t have enough Hyundai iLoads to deliver in June, the biggest month of the year for commercial vehicle sales.

“The iLoad is done,” said one Hyundai dealer. “We can’t get any more, there’s no more coming, and everyone is scrambling to get the last of what’s left.”

Hyundai Australia has already turned its attention to the new-generation Hyundai Staria van, which has adopted futuristic looks (pictured below).

It was initially thought the Hyundai Staria name would be used only for the replacement of the Hyundai iMax people-mover variant.

Based on information shared with dealers, it appears the Hyundai Staria name will also be used for commercial vans.

Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm the name, timing, or pricing for the new Hyundai Staria line-up.

However, a dealer bulletin has outlined some key features for the Staria, the first new van from Hyundai in 13 years, since 2008.

While the Hyundai iLoad has a four-star safety rating from 2011, the new Hyundai Staria promises to make a major leap, with ingredients that could make the vehicle eligible for a five-star safety rating against the latest, more stringent criteria.

However, to pave the way to achieve top marks, the Hyundai Staria will only have two front seats rather than the current model's three-seater arrangement.

Dealers have been advised the Hyundai Staria van will have eight airbags – including, presumably, centre airbag protection between the two front seats – radar cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, individual tyre pressure monitors, a 360-degree camera on liftback vans and a rear-view camera on “barn-door” vans. All models will also come with front and rear parking sensors.

Other convenience touches: one-touch auto-up and auto-down operation on both front power windows, an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (no mention of embedded navigation), wireless phone charging, an electric park brake, and heated, power folding side mirrors.

Only two exterior colours will be available initially (white and silver), and the interior trim will be black cloth. 

The new-generation Hyundai Staria van will be powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic (rather than the current choice of five-speed auto or six-speed manual).

The eight-speed auto should deliver better fuel economy at freeway speeds, and more responsive acceleration than the current model.

Information sent to Hyundai dealers outlines a choice of a two-seater van, or a five-seater “crew” van with a second row seat for three passengers and side sliding doors with windows.

It appears there is only one model grade available in both the Hyundai Staria two-seater and five-seater vans for the time being.

Pricing estimates supplied to dealers showed the two-seat van could start from $45,000 to $46,000 plus on-road costs, and the crew van could start from $47,000 to $48,000 plus on-road costs.

However, the bulletin notes, the information supplied is preliminary and subject to change.

CarAdvice understands the Hyundai Staria is due in showrooms in the second half of 2021 – possibly by September 2021 – however exact timing is yet to be confirmed by Hyundai Australia.

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