Latest news with #HyundaiStaria
Sinar Daily
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sinar Daily
Hyundai Motor Malaysia launches bold new line-up, introducing Staria, new Tucson, and all-New Santa FE
SHAH ALAM - Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMM), the newly established Malaysian arm of Hyundai Motor Company has officially launched in Kuala Lumpur, introducing three flagship models, the Staria, the new Tucson, and the all‑new Santa fe. This event signals a bold new direction for Hyundai in Malaysia, with a line‑up that meets the needs of modern Malaysian families, drivers, and lifestyles. Hyundai Motor Malaysia, managing director, Jahabarnisa Haja Mohideen - Photo by Hyundai's management Hyundai Motor Malaysia managing director, Jahabarnisa Haja Mohideen emphasised that the three models were carefully selected to resonate with local preferences. 'The Staria, New Tucson, and All-new santa fe we're introducing are products that reflect how Malaysians live, move, and travel, from versatile family needs to feature-rich, comfort-driven mobility. "Each model was chosen with purpose, to offer more space, smarter technology, and a safer, more connected driving experience that aligns with the everyday demands of Malaysian drivers,' she said. Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific president Sunny Kim - Photo by Hyundai's management Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific president Sunny Kim, echoed this sentiment and highlighted the strategic importance of Malaysia within the region. 'As Malaysia continues to grow in strategic importance within our regional vision, the launch of Hyundai Motor Malaysia marks a significant step in strengthening our presence across Asean,' he added. The Hyundai Staria The Hyundai Staria - Photo by Hyundai's management Priced from RM179,888, the Hyundai Staria reimagines everyday mobility with a futuristic design and an emphasis on space, comfort, and innovation. Its spaceship-inspired silhouette, enhanced with brass chrome accents, creates a bold presence on the road. Available in Style, Prime (10-seaters), and Prestige (7- and 10-seater) variants, the Staria suits a range of needs, from family travel to executive and lifestyle use. The spacious cabin features premium options in the Prestige variant, including relaxation seats, dual sunroof, and BOSE® audio. Powered by a 2.2L CRDi diesel engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it combines performance with long-distance capability. Hyundai SmartSense comes standard, offering advanced driver assistance for added safety, with Prestige models adding features like Driver Attention Warning. The Staria delivers a next-generation MPV experience, tailored for Malaysians seeking space, versatility, and modern design. The New Hyundai Tucson Priced from RM143,888, the all-new Hyundai Tucson marks a bold step forward in design, technology, and performance. Reimagined from the ground up and now available in Malaysia with a hybrid option for the first time, it blends a striking exterior with a tech-forward interior that sets a new benchmark in its class. With a distinctive parametric-jewel grille, futuristic lighting, and a spacious cabin featuring dual 12.3-inch displays, fingerprint authentication, and a floating console, the Tucson delivers a premium, modern driving experience. Three efficient powertrain options, including petrol and hybrid, offer a balance of performance and versatility to suit different driving needs. Hyundai SmartSense safety features are standard on higher variants, offering advanced assistance systems for enhanced peace of mind. More than just a functional SUV, the Tucson is designed for drivers seeking innovation, comfort, and standout style in every journey. All-New Hyundai Santa FE All-New Hyundai Santa FE - Photo by Hyundai's management The All-New Hyundai Santa Fe reimagines the flagship SUV with a bold upright design, modern proportions, and exceptional versatility. Its extended wheelbase, wide tailgate, and flexible 6- or 7-seater layout offer expansive space, making it ideal for families, city drives, and outdoor getaways. Striking design elements include an H-shaped LED lighting signature, chrome-finished grille, and Hyundai's widest tailgate, which doubles as a terrace-style platform. Inside, a panoramic curved display, dual wireless charging, UV-C sanitiser tray, and premium finishes elevate comfort and convenience. The 6-seater Calligraphy variant adds second-row relaxation mode for luxury travel. Powertrain options include a 2.5L turbocharged petrol engine (281 PS, AWD) and a 1.6L hybrid (235 PS), offering strong performance with efficiency. Safety is comprehensive across all variants, with Hyundai SmartSense features such as Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. Higher variants also add Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Priced from RM225,000, the Santa Fe combines premium features, advanced safety, and practical space for modern Malaysian lifestyles. Hyundai Motor Malaysia's network expansion and commitment to customers To celebrate its launch in Malaysia, Hyundai Motor Malaysia is offering exclusive benefits to its early customers. The first 100 new car buyers will receive eight free servicing sessions, covering labour and parts. Beyond that, every customer will enjoy an eight‑year/160,000 km warranty and up to four free maintenance services, reflecting Hyundai's commitment to long‑term ownership satisfaction. The brand also plans to expand its after‑sales network to 25 authorised service outlets by 2030, ensuring enhanced accessibility across the country. Hyundai Motor Company's Global Operation Division, executive vice president, Young Lee - Photo by Hyundai's management In the meantime, Hyundai Motor Company's Global Operation Division, executive vice president, Young Lee reflected on this milestone, describing the launch not just as an organisational decision but as a reaffirmation of the brand's dedication to 'world‑class service, quality, and care directly to the customers in Malaysia. 'As a global brand, we are focused on building meaningful ownership experiences that reflect Hyundai's core values of innovation, trust, and customer-first thinking. 'We look forward to supporting our customers here with greater responsiveness, elevated service standards, and products that truly meet their needs,' he said. Republic of Korea to Malaysia, Ambassador, H.E. Yeo Seung-bae - Photo by Hyundai's management Additionally, Republic of Korea to Malaysia, Ambassador, H.E. Yeo Seung-bae commended Hyundai's dedication to innovation and customer‑centric values, seeing it as emblematic of Korea's industrial excellence. He stressed that bringing next‑generation products and enhanced customer care to Malaysian roads would strengthen bilateral ties, inspire collaboration, and bring genuine benefits to communities in both nations. With this launch, Hyundai Motor Malaysia steps confidently into its next chapter, offering Malaysian drivers a compelling combination of sophisticated design, advanced mobility technologies, and service they can rely on.
The Advertiser
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 Hyundai Staria Load Premium review
Hyundai Staria Pros Hyundai Staria Cons Hyundai's commercial hauler has polarising looks, but its practicality is hard to debate. Note: This is a revised version of our recent review of the Hyundai Staria Load, as there have been no major changes to the model since it was published. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available. Read our latest price and specs article here for all the details. WATCH: Paul's video review of the Hyundai Staria Highlander The Staria Load, like its related people mover namesake, the Staria, is a neat package from one of Australia's most versatile brands. There may not be performance or hybrid tech here, but what you do get is plenty of tech and features to keep you satisfied. A comfortable interior, quality infotainment, and agile steering are just a few things to get you interested; the rest you'll learn about through some time behind the wheel. Hyundai offers a large catalogue of genuine accessories too, which allows buyers to kit out their Staria Load with everything they need to improve the base package in their own specific way. It all comes in at a competitive price too, matching the comparable Toyota HiAce and undercutting the new Ford Transit Custom. In 2024, the commercial Staria outsold the people mover variant at 3503 to 1363, selling in fewer units than only Hyundai's best-selling passenger cars like the i30 and Tucson. In the van world, it doesn't quite match up to the best-selling HiAce (12,082), although it ranked ahead of the Transit Custom (3427) and LDV G10 (2843). Are you better off sticking with the crowd, or is the spaceship-style Staria Load the one you should be going for instead? The top-spec Premium variant of the Staria Load range rings up at $51,740 before on-road costs – exactly $5000 up on the range-opening two-seater. It's more expensive than even the five-seat crew van, despite missing out on side windows and those additional seats. That price is before you start adding the extra Hyundai accessories fitted to our tester, which include a cargo barrier ($958.33), a heavy-duty rubber cargo floor mat ($796.63), and all-weather floor mats ($249.80). Ours is also painted in Moonlight Blue (no longer available), which like the other premium colours brings an additional cost of $750. That means if you want a Staria Load like the one you see here, expect to add nearly $3000 to the list price – and that's before you consider on-road costs. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool While we'd stop short of calling it luxurious, there's a lot to like about the Staria Load's cabin. The thing worth remembering with the Staria Load is that it is a commercial vehicle, and as such it'd be unreasonable to expect limousine-like comfort levels before getting behind the wheel. Being the Premium grade, you do get some extra goodies like a larger infotainment display and digital instrument cluster, but as with the cheaper variants it's headlined by its work-focused setup and barebones approach. Such elements are evident in the materials used, which are all hard to the touch and utilitarian in appearance. The only soft-touch items you get are the large gear selector and steering wheel, the latter of which we've seen in other large Hyundai models like the Palisade. I'm not the biggest fan of this steering wheel, but it does feel more at home here than it does in something like the Palisade. It's wrapped in smooth, quality leather, and its size and angle are reminiscent of a small bus or an older Toyota HiAce van. A quirk in the driving configuration is the seating position. From the comfortable cloth-trimmed seat you get a commanding view of everything around you, though it does lack armrests that would make the Staria Load that little bit more cruisy. It also lacks three-person seating up front, though that means you're able to make use of the space in the middle that's otherwise occupied by a storage box in the five-seat crew van. The Staria Load's layout is otherwise conventional, which means it takes no time to get used to. What you may not be used to is having to look over the steering wheel to view the instrument cluster, because the display is mounted high atop the dash to make way for a hidden storage cubby. It all works as intended, but you may need to take an extra second to get yourself adjusted accordingly if you're a shorter individual. That generally won't be an issue though, and it's worth the compromise for the extra storage space it unlocks. Ignoring the elephant in the van for the time being, Hyundai has been creative to implement as many storage options up front as possible. There are two hidden storage cubbies on top of the dashboard for various odds and ends, as well as a more conventional glovebox ahead of the passenger seat. On the roof are also two storage shelves with elastic nets. At the base of the centre console is another tub for loose items, and a cut-out for phone storage is found just above that. A wireless charging pad is located in a larger slot under the climate control panel, which also has plenty of space for other things like the key fob. There's also a singular cupholder on top of the dash on the driver's side, which seems precariously close to the digital instrument display. Passengers can make use of the hidden cupholder on the centre console, which folds out when you press on its panel. Storage is otherwise made up of space in the door cards and shallow cut-outs beneath the windows, while there's a hidden compartment integrated into the driver's side step for recovery gear. Creature comforts in the Staria Load are kept to a minimum. There are no heated seats, power-adjustment, or digital rear-view mirrors to make use of; everything instead gets straight to the point. The most complicated item is the climate and infotainment panel, which is populated by a plethora of touchscreen buttons and headlined by that 10.25-inch display. That display is nothing new for Hyundai models, and it looks great graphically with reliable functionality. A downside to the larger screen is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay from smaller-screen models, which means you'll have to hook up your phone via cable instead. Doing so is achieved via the USB-A port next to the gear selector, and there's that convenient slot underneath for your phone to sit while plugged in. The climate control panel is clearly legible thanks to its large icons, and its centre display helps to show what's going on. There are shortcuts above for the various infotainment functions, and everything can be controlled via the buttons on the steering wheel. Those steering wheel buttons all function as the should and worked reliably in our week with the van. They're also the place to adjust things relating to appearance too, should you want to mess with the way the instrument cluster looks. The gloss-black button material is a gripe, but it gives a more premium look in conjunction with the textured stalks behind. It's all clean and classy – Hyundai has struck a convincing balance between practicality and interior design in the Staria Load. Displays on the instrument cluster are linked to drive mode, which can be toggled using the discreet button below the climate control interface. There are three modes and appearances to cycle through, but you can lock it in a particular theme if you prefer one over the others. Time to talk cargo. It's a van, and the space you get in the back is largely as you'd expect. Our tester was fitted with the optional rubber floor and cargo barrier, though we feel such items should be included as standard. The floor protection helps to dampen noise and reduce the risk of scratches to the interior paint – much like what the panelling fitted to the walls as standard does. The cargo barrier, which only works to keep cargo from sliding through, is nice to have even if it won't keep the cabin's climate isolated. Having the optional solid barrier (or even the optional partition screen) would be preferable for passenger comfort and noise dampening, but this is better than nothing. Space in the back of the Staria Load is quoted at 4.935 cubic metres, smaller than the HiAce at 6.2m. Even so, it doesn't feel compromised by any means. Hyundai fits a sliding door on each side as standard (unlike Ford does with the Transit Custom), though being the Premium grade it misses out on a rear barn door option, something included on both the Toyota and Ford rivals. You get the benefit of a powered tailgate instead, though it's quite long when fully open. That means you get shelter from the rain, but you'll struggle to load from the rear with a forklift, and you also won't be able to open it if you reverse even remotely closely up to a wall. The Staria Load makes up for it with sliding side doors, though their openings aren't terribly wide. On the inside you get eight tie-down points compared to the HiAce's six, but only one light positioned on the roof above the tailgate. That makes it difficult to see if you're using the side doors at night. There's only bare panelling on the roof, which echoes noise once on the road. It's the same as what you find in a Transit Custom, though Toyota adds a roof liner and a central dome light to its HiAce. The rear windows are protected by thick wire bars, and everything else is as it says on the box. It works well for the purpose it serves, though we suspect the rubber used in the optional floor contributed to the strange smell we were greeted with when stepping inside. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool Unlike the Hyundai Staria people mover, there's just one engine available for the Staria Load. All three Staria Load variants share the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission exclusively. Drive is sent to only the front wheels, unlike in the rear-drive HiAce. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool We say you shouldn't expect too much in terms of comfort from a van, and the Staria Load is a good example of why. Unladen, the ride is incredibly bouncy. Things that wouldn't bother a typical car suddenly feel like small jump ramps, and you'll find yourself going out of your way to avoid bumps and holes that could throw the van around. That's not to say it'll become unsettled over larger bumps, but it can often be enough to catch you off guard. With a couple hundred kilograms worth of cargo loaded into the back it's a different story, but if you're often driving an empty van it can become difficult to live with. While we had similar comments about the Transit Custom, it's still true that the HiAce can manage its ride a lot better even when the load space is empty. The Hyundai is quieter than the Toyota, at least compared to the bog-standard HiAce we drove with no interior options selected. Had they been comparably optioned, the noise battle may have turned out differently. The bounciness isn't helped by its wheels either, as although they're a fairly standard size at 17-inches they feel (and look) far too small for such a large van. Bumping up the wheel size an inch or two would make it look better, but would increase tyre replacement costs, worsen the bumpy-road ride and also come at the expense of on-road noise – which already isn't great. Still, it's not all bad, and if you come into the Staria Load with a rough idea of what to expect there's not much that will take you by surprise. Once you're past the initial bumps and bounces, this Hyundai turns out to be an enjoyable van to drive. It feels considerably taller than its rivals, and that helps to provide the high driving position it benefits from. There's also great visibility out front thanks to its sloped bonnet, and it's a good middle ground between a typical passenger car and the vans of old in which the crumple zones were your knees. Visibility is good out the side windows too, but that's where the limitations start. As it's a standard van with no side windows, physical blind-spot visibility is poor. Hyundai makes up for it with the cameras fitted on each side, which project a live image to the instrument cluster when the corresponding indicator is activated. We've seen such tech in other Hyundai and Kia products before, and while it seemed superfluous there, we feel this is a much more practical application. For comparison, Ford's solution to the blind-spot issue is to fit a fisheye mirror to each side mirror housing, while Toyota has nothing beyond digital monitoring. Ford and Hyundai supplement their blind-spot solutions with a monitoring system. The performance of the Staria Load isn't anything ridiculous, but it has no trouble getting up to speed in a hurry. Low-end torque is strong enough to get it out of most sticky situations, and when there's nothing in the back it can be quite spritely and agile. Surprising given its dimensions, but it makes it even better as a run-around in built-up areas. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well-behaved and almost never caught in the wrong gear, with smooth shifts and a quick response its headlining characteristics. Hyundai has made the driving experience as easy as possible from a handling perspective too, as the Staria Load boasts light steering and a tight turning circle to make up for its size. If you're a commercial vehicle buyer who needs the Staria Load for transport and logistics, it's good to have that manoeuvrability for the various tight spaces you may find yourself in. The Staria Load is fitted with adaptive cruise control with lane centring as standard, and it worked reliably in our week with the van. There wasn't a tendency to stray out of its lane, and steering inputs were consistent and smooth. Longer drives on the freeway were made easy as a result, especially if you avoided changing lanes as much as possible because of those blind-spot limitations. Downsides include its headlights, which we feel could be a bit brighter. Its high-beams worked fine, but in unlit areas it's not quite as bright as we're used to. You do get the benefit of the LED light bar across the front, which provides greater visibility for other road users. Another was the road noise, which was especially bad on wet roads. As it isn't a passenger vehicle, that isn't a deal-breaker, and it's manageable if you're fine with a bit of extra volume. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against our rivals? Use our comparison tool. There are three grades of Staria Load, each with a handful of key features to set them apart. 2025 Hyundai Staria Load equipment highlights: The Crew Van receives a centre console storage box, a three-seat second-row bench, second-row windows and two more USB-C ports. Staria Premium (liftback only) adds: Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing of the related people mover conducted in 2021. Standard safety equipment includes: While previous Starias featured blind-spot assist as standard, the 2025 model has reverted to an alarm-only system. The Staria Load Premium adds a blind-spot view monitor, as well as the model debut of Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity, which includes automatic collision notification, emergency call (SOS) function and alert services including geo-fencing, valet, speed and time alerts. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool If you're in need of a van, the Staria Load is one well worth considering. It may not be as iconic as something like a HiAce or as stylish as the new Transit Custom, but if you're after strong cargo capacity in a comfortable package, the Staria Load has plenty to offer. Its interior tech is great, even without wireless smartphone mirroring, and the cabin is well-enough appointed to keep you interested without going over the top. The driving tech works reliably and never becomes intrusive either, which is more than can be said for many other Hyundai and Kia products. Hyundai's diesel engine is a strong unit too, and when mated with a reliable gearbox it makes for an enjoyable drive – even if it can be a bit bouncy with nothing in the back. Ride quality does leave a bit to be desired, and if you need to transport more than one passenger you're going to struggle with the lack of a middle seat. The options fitted to our tester, including the cargo barrier, are things that should be included as standard, because we feel they're van must-haves. Driving around with cargo sliding into the front cabin isn't ideal, and it's a lot of space to heat in winter. It also lacks the practicality of rear barn doors, and for a top-spec model it'd benefit from something like powered sliding side doors. Wireless Apple CarPlay would also complement that large infotainment display nicely. But as a van made to transport cargo and be comfortable for long hours on the road, the Staria Load obliges. It may not be our first choice, but as a rival to other well-established van nameplates it's a worthy contender. Interested in buying a Hyundai Staria Load? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers Everything Hyundai Staria Content originally sourced from: Staria Pros Hyundai Staria Cons Hyundai's commercial hauler has polarising looks, but its practicality is hard to debate. Note: This is a revised version of our recent review of the Hyundai Staria Load, as there have been no major changes to the model since it was published. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available. Read our latest price and specs article here for all the details. WATCH: Paul's video review of the Hyundai Staria Highlander The Staria Load, like its related people mover namesake, the Staria, is a neat package from one of Australia's most versatile brands. There may not be performance or hybrid tech here, but what you do get is plenty of tech and features to keep you satisfied. A comfortable interior, quality infotainment, and agile steering are just a few things to get you interested; the rest you'll learn about through some time behind the wheel. Hyundai offers a large catalogue of genuine accessories too, which allows buyers to kit out their Staria Load with everything they need to improve the base package in their own specific way. It all comes in at a competitive price too, matching the comparable Toyota HiAce and undercutting the new Ford Transit Custom. In 2024, the commercial Staria outsold the people mover variant at 3503 to 1363, selling in fewer units than only Hyundai's best-selling passenger cars like the i30 and Tucson. In the van world, it doesn't quite match up to the best-selling HiAce (12,082), although it ranked ahead of the Transit Custom (3427) and LDV G10 (2843). Are you better off sticking with the crowd, or is the spaceship-style Staria Load the one you should be going for instead? The top-spec Premium variant of the Staria Load range rings up at $51,740 before on-road costs – exactly $5000 up on the range-opening two-seater. It's more expensive than even the five-seat crew van, despite missing out on side windows and those additional seats. That price is before you start adding the extra Hyundai accessories fitted to our tester, which include a cargo barrier ($958.33), a heavy-duty rubber cargo floor mat ($796.63), and all-weather floor mats ($249.80). Ours is also painted in Moonlight Blue (no longer available), which like the other premium colours brings an additional cost of $750. That means if you want a Staria Load like the one you see here, expect to add nearly $3000 to the list price – and that's before you consider on-road costs. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool While we'd stop short of calling it luxurious, there's a lot to like about the Staria Load's cabin. The thing worth remembering with the Staria Load is that it is a commercial vehicle, and as such it'd be unreasonable to expect limousine-like comfort levels before getting behind the wheel. Being the Premium grade, you do get some extra goodies like a larger infotainment display and digital instrument cluster, but as with the cheaper variants it's headlined by its work-focused setup and barebones approach. Such elements are evident in the materials used, which are all hard to the touch and utilitarian in appearance. The only soft-touch items you get are the large gear selector and steering wheel, the latter of which we've seen in other large Hyundai models like the Palisade. I'm not the biggest fan of this steering wheel, but it does feel more at home here than it does in something like the Palisade. It's wrapped in smooth, quality leather, and its size and angle are reminiscent of a small bus or an older Toyota HiAce van. A quirk in the driving configuration is the seating position. From the comfortable cloth-trimmed seat you get a commanding view of everything around you, though it does lack armrests that would make the Staria Load that little bit more cruisy. It also lacks three-person seating up front, though that means you're able to make use of the space in the middle that's otherwise occupied by a storage box in the five-seat crew van. The Staria Load's layout is otherwise conventional, which means it takes no time to get used to. What you may not be used to is having to look over the steering wheel to view the instrument cluster, because the display is mounted high atop the dash to make way for a hidden storage cubby. It all works as intended, but you may need to take an extra second to get yourself adjusted accordingly if you're a shorter individual. That generally won't be an issue though, and it's worth the compromise for the extra storage space it unlocks. Ignoring the elephant in the van for the time being, Hyundai has been creative to implement as many storage options up front as possible. There are two hidden storage cubbies on top of the dashboard for various odds and ends, as well as a more conventional glovebox ahead of the passenger seat. On the roof are also two storage shelves with elastic nets. At the base of the centre console is another tub for loose items, and a cut-out for phone storage is found just above that. A wireless charging pad is located in a larger slot under the climate control panel, which also has plenty of space for other things like the key fob. There's also a singular cupholder on top of the dash on the driver's side, which seems precariously close to the digital instrument display. Passengers can make use of the hidden cupholder on the centre console, which folds out when you press on its panel. Storage is otherwise made up of space in the door cards and shallow cut-outs beneath the windows, while there's a hidden compartment integrated into the driver's side step for recovery gear. Creature comforts in the Staria Load are kept to a minimum. There are no heated seats, power-adjustment, or digital rear-view mirrors to make use of; everything instead gets straight to the point. The most complicated item is the climate and infotainment panel, which is populated by a plethora of touchscreen buttons and headlined by that 10.25-inch display. That display is nothing new for Hyundai models, and it looks great graphically with reliable functionality. A downside to the larger screen is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay from smaller-screen models, which means you'll have to hook up your phone via cable instead. Doing so is achieved via the USB-A port next to the gear selector, and there's that convenient slot underneath for your phone to sit while plugged in. The climate control panel is clearly legible thanks to its large icons, and its centre display helps to show what's going on. There are shortcuts above for the various infotainment functions, and everything can be controlled via the buttons on the steering wheel. Those steering wheel buttons all function as the should and worked reliably in our week with the van. They're also the place to adjust things relating to appearance too, should you want to mess with the way the instrument cluster looks. The gloss-black button material is a gripe, but it gives a more premium look in conjunction with the textured stalks behind. It's all clean and classy – Hyundai has struck a convincing balance between practicality and interior design in the Staria Load. Displays on the instrument cluster are linked to drive mode, which can be toggled using the discreet button below the climate control interface. There are three modes and appearances to cycle through, but you can lock it in a particular theme if you prefer one over the others. Time to talk cargo. It's a van, and the space you get in the back is largely as you'd expect. Our tester was fitted with the optional rubber floor and cargo barrier, though we feel such items should be included as standard. The floor protection helps to dampen noise and reduce the risk of scratches to the interior paint – much like what the panelling fitted to the walls as standard does. The cargo barrier, which only works to keep cargo from sliding through, is nice to have even if it won't keep the cabin's climate isolated. Having the optional solid barrier (or even the optional partition screen) would be preferable for passenger comfort and noise dampening, but this is better than nothing. Space in the back of the Staria Load is quoted at 4.935 cubic metres, smaller than the HiAce at 6.2m. Even so, it doesn't feel compromised by any means. Hyundai fits a sliding door on each side as standard (unlike Ford does with the Transit Custom), though being the Premium grade it misses out on a rear barn door option, something included on both the Toyota and Ford rivals. You get the benefit of a powered tailgate instead, though it's quite long when fully open. That means you get shelter from the rain, but you'll struggle to load from the rear with a forklift, and you also won't be able to open it if you reverse even remotely closely up to a wall. The Staria Load makes up for it with sliding side doors, though their openings aren't terribly wide. On the inside you get eight tie-down points compared to the HiAce's six, but only one light positioned on the roof above the tailgate. That makes it difficult to see if you're using the side doors at night. There's only bare panelling on the roof, which echoes noise once on the road. It's the same as what you find in a Transit Custom, though Toyota adds a roof liner and a central dome light to its HiAce. The rear windows are protected by thick wire bars, and everything else is as it says on the box. It works well for the purpose it serves, though we suspect the rubber used in the optional floor contributed to the strange smell we were greeted with when stepping inside. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool Unlike the Hyundai Staria people mover, there's just one engine available for the Staria Load. All three Staria Load variants share the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission exclusively. Drive is sent to only the front wheels, unlike in the rear-drive HiAce. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool We say you shouldn't expect too much in terms of comfort from a van, and the Staria Load is a good example of why. Unladen, the ride is incredibly bouncy. Things that wouldn't bother a typical car suddenly feel like small jump ramps, and you'll find yourself going out of your way to avoid bumps and holes that could throw the van around. That's not to say it'll become unsettled over larger bumps, but it can often be enough to catch you off guard. With a couple hundred kilograms worth of cargo loaded into the back it's a different story, but if you're often driving an empty van it can become difficult to live with. While we had similar comments about the Transit Custom, it's still true that the HiAce can manage its ride a lot better even when the load space is empty. The Hyundai is quieter than the Toyota, at least compared to the bog-standard HiAce we drove with no interior options selected. Had they been comparably optioned, the noise battle may have turned out differently. The bounciness isn't helped by its wheels either, as although they're a fairly standard size at 17-inches they feel (and look) far too small for such a large van. Bumping up the wheel size an inch or two would make it look better, but would increase tyre replacement costs, worsen the bumpy-road ride and also come at the expense of on-road noise – which already isn't great. Still, it's not all bad, and if you come into the Staria Load with a rough idea of what to expect there's not much that will take you by surprise. Once you're past the initial bumps and bounces, this Hyundai turns out to be an enjoyable van to drive. It feels considerably taller than its rivals, and that helps to provide the high driving position it benefits from. There's also great visibility out front thanks to its sloped bonnet, and it's a good middle ground between a typical passenger car and the vans of old in which the crumple zones were your knees. Visibility is good out the side windows too, but that's where the limitations start. As it's a standard van with no side windows, physical blind-spot visibility is poor. Hyundai makes up for it with the cameras fitted on each side, which project a live image to the instrument cluster when the corresponding indicator is activated. We've seen such tech in other Hyundai and Kia products before, and while it seemed superfluous there, we feel this is a much more practical application. For comparison, Ford's solution to the blind-spot issue is to fit a fisheye mirror to each side mirror housing, while Toyota has nothing beyond digital monitoring. Ford and Hyundai supplement their blind-spot solutions with a monitoring system. The performance of the Staria Load isn't anything ridiculous, but it has no trouble getting up to speed in a hurry. Low-end torque is strong enough to get it out of most sticky situations, and when there's nothing in the back it can be quite spritely and agile. Surprising given its dimensions, but it makes it even better as a run-around in built-up areas. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well-behaved and almost never caught in the wrong gear, with smooth shifts and a quick response its headlining characteristics. Hyundai has made the driving experience as easy as possible from a handling perspective too, as the Staria Load boasts light steering and a tight turning circle to make up for its size. If you're a commercial vehicle buyer who needs the Staria Load for transport and logistics, it's good to have that manoeuvrability for the various tight spaces you may find yourself in. The Staria Load is fitted with adaptive cruise control with lane centring as standard, and it worked reliably in our week with the van. There wasn't a tendency to stray out of its lane, and steering inputs were consistent and smooth. Longer drives on the freeway were made easy as a result, especially if you avoided changing lanes as much as possible because of those blind-spot limitations. Downsides include its headlights, which we feel could be a bit brighter. Its high-beams worked fine, but in unlit areas it's not quite as bright as we're used to. You do get the benefit of the LED light bar across the front, which provides greater visibility for other road users. Another was the road noise, which was especially bad on wet roads. As it isn't a passenger vehicle, that isn't a deal-breaker, and it's manageable if you're fine with a bit of extra volume. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against our rivals? Use our comparison tool. There are three grades of Staria Load, each with a handful of key features to set them apart. 2025 Hyundai Staria Load equipment highlights: The Crew Van receives a centre console storage box, a three-seat second-row bench, second-row windows and two more USB-C ports. Staria Premium (liftback only) adds: Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing of the related people mover conducted in 2021. Standard safety equipment includes: While previous Starias featured blind-spot assist as standard, the 2025 model has reverted to an alarm-only system. The Staria Load Premium adds a blind-spot view monitor, as well as the model debut of Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity, which includes automatic collision notification, emergency call (SOS) function and alert services including geo-fencing, valet, speed and time alerts. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool If you're in need of a van, the Staria Load is one well worth considering. It may not be as iconic as something like a HiAce or as stylish as the new Transit Custom, but if you're after strong cargo capacity in a comfortable package, the Staria Load has plenty to offer. Its interior tech is great, even without wireless smartphone mirroring, and the cabin is well-enough appointed to keep you interested without going over the top. The driving tech works reliably and never becomes intrusive either, which is more than can be said for many other Hyundai and Kia products. Hyundai's diesel engine is a strong unit too, and when mated with a reliable gearbox it makes for an enjoyable drive – even if it can be a bit bouncy with nothing in the back. Ride quality does leave a bit to be desired, and if you need to transport more than one passenger you're going to struggle with the lack of a middle seat. The options fitted to our tester, including the cargo barrier, are things that should be included as standard, because we feel they're van must-haves. Driving around with cargo sliding into the front cabin isn't ideal, and it's a lot of space to heat in winter. It also lacks the practicality of rear barn doors, and for a top-spec model it'd benefit from something like powered sliding side doors. Wireless Apple CarPlay would also complement that large infotainment display nicely. But as a van made to transport cargo and be comfortable for long hours on the road, the Staria Load obliges. It may not be our first choice, but as a rival to other well-established van nameplates it's a worthy contender. Interested in buying a Hyundai Staria Load? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers Everything Hyundai Staria Content originally sourced from: Staria Pros Hyundai Staria Cons Hyundai's commercial hauler has polarising looks, but its practicality is hard to debate. Note: This is a revised version of our recent review of the Hyundai Staria Load, as there have been no major changes to the model since it was published. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available. Read our latest price and specs article here for all the details. WATCH: Paul's video review of the Hyundai Staria Highlander The Staria Load, like its related people mover namesake, the Staria, is a neat package from one of Australia's most versatile brands. There may not be performance or hybrid tech here, but what you do get is plenty of tech and features to keep you satisfied. A comfortable interior, quality infotainment, and agile steering are just a few things to get you interested; the rest you'll learn about through some time behind the wheel. Hyundai offers a large catalogue of genuine accessories too, which allows buyers to kit out their Staria Load with everything they need to improve the base package in their own specific way. It all comes in at a competitive price too, matching the comparable Toyota HiAce and undercutting the new Ford Transit Custom. In 2024, the commercial Staria outsold the people mover variant at 3503 to 1363, selling in fewer units than only Hyundai's best-selling passenger cars like the i30 and Tucson. In the van world, it doesn't quite match up to the best-selling HiAce (12,082), although it ranked ahead of the Transit Custom (3427) and LDV G10 (2843). Are you better off sticking with the crowd, or is the spaceship-style Staria Load the one you should be going for instead? The top-spec Premium variant of the Staria Load range rings up at $51,740 before on-road costs – exactly $5000 up on the range-opening two-seater. It's more expensive than even the five-seat crew van, despite missing out on side windows and those additional seats. That price is before you start adding the extra Hyundai accessories fitted to our tester, which include a cargo barrier ($958.33), a heavy-duty rubber cargo floor mat ($796.63), and all-weather floor mats ($249.80). Ours is also painted in Moonlight Blue (no longer available), which like the other premium colours brings an additional cost of $750. That means if you want a Staria Load like the one you see here, expect to add nearly $3000 to the list price – and that's before you consider on-road costs. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool While we'd stop short of calling it luxurious, there's a lot to like about the Staria Load's cabin. The thing worth remembering with the Staria Load is that it is a commercial vehicle, and as such it'd be unreasonable to expect limousine-like comfort levels before getting behind the wheel. Being the Premium grade, you do get some extra goodies like a larger infotainment display and digital instrument cluster, but as with the cheaper variants it's headlined by its work-focused setup and barebones approach. Such elements are evident in the materials used, which are all hard to the touch and utilitarian in appearance. The only soft-touch items you get are the large gear selector and steering wheel, the latter of which we've seen in other large Hyundai models like the Palisade. I'm not the biggest fan of this steering wheel, but it does feel more at home here than it does in something like the Palisade. It's wrapped in smooth, quality leather, and its size and angle are reminiscent of a small bus or an older Toyota HiAce van. A quirk in the driving configuration is the seating position. From the comfortable cloth-trimmed seat you get a commanding view of everything around you, though it does lack armrests that would make the Staria Load that little bit more cruisy. It also lacks three-person seating up front, though that means you're able to make use of the space in the middle that's otherwise occupied by a storage box in the five-seat crew van. The Staria Load's layout is otherwise conventional, which means it takes no time to get used to. What you may not be used to is having to look over the steering wheel to view the instrument cluster, because the display is mounted high atop the dash to make way for a hidden storage cubby. It all works as intended, but you may need to take an extra second to get yourself adjusted accordingly if you're a shorter individual. That generally won't be an issue though, and it's worth the compromise for the extra storage space it unlocks. Ignoring the elephant in the van for the time being, Hyundai has been creative to implement as many storage options up front as possible. There are two hidden storage cubbies on top of the dashboard for various odds and ends, as well as a more conventional glovebox ahead of the passenger seat. On the roof are also two storage shelves with elastic nets. At the base of the centre console is another tub for loose items, and a cut-out for phone storage is found just above that. A wireless charging pad is located in a larger slot under the climate control panel, which also has plenty of space for other things like the key fob. There's also a singular cupholder on top of the dash on the driver's side, which seems precariously close to the digital instrument display. Passengers can make use of the hidden cupholder on the centre console, which folds out when you press on its panel. Storage is otherwise made up of space in the door cards and shallow cut-outs beneath the windows, while there's a hidden compartment integrated into the driver's side step for recovery gear. Creature comforts in the Staria Load are kept to a minimum. There are no heated seats, power-adjustment, or digital rear-view mirrors to make use of; everything instead gets straight to the point. The most complicated item is the climate and infotainment panel, which is populated by a plethora of touchscreen buttons and headlined by that 10.25-inch display. That display is nothing new for Hyundai models, and it looks great graphically with reliable functionality. A downside to the larger screen is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay from smaller-screen models, which means you'll have to hook up your phone via cable instead. Doing so is achieved via the USB-A port next to the gear selector, and there's that convenient slot underneath for your phone to sit while plugged in. The climate control panel is clearly legible thanks to its large icons, and its centre display helps to show what's going on. There are shortcuts above for the various infotainment functions, and everything can be controlled via the buttons on the steering wheel. Those steering wheel buttons all function as the should and worked reliably in our week with the van. They're also the place to adjust things relating to appearance too, should you want to mess with the way the instrument cluster looks. The gloss-black button material is a gripe, but it gives a more premium look in conjunction with the textured stalks behind. It's all clean and classy – Hyundai has struck a convincing balance between practicality and interior design in the Staria Load. Displays on the instrument cluster are linked to drive mode, which can be toggled using the discreet button below the climate control interface. There are three modes and appearances to cycle through, but you can lock it in a particular theme if you prefer one over the others. Time to talk cargo. It's a van, and the space you get in the back is largely as you'd expect. Our tester was fitted with the optional rubber floor and cargo barrier, though we feel such items should be included as standard. The floor protection helps to dampen noise and reduce the risk of scratches to the interior paint – much like what the panelling fitted to the walls as standard does. The cargo barrier, which only works to keep cargo from sliding through, is nice to have even if it won't keep the cabin's climate isolated. Having the optional solid barrier (or even the optional partition screen) would be preferable for passenger comfort and noise dampening, but this is better than nothing. Space in the back of the Staria Load is quoted at 4.935 cubic metres, smaller than the HiAce at 6.2m. Even so, it doesn't feel compromised by any means. Hyundai fits a sliding door on each side as standard (unlike Ford does with the Transit Custom), though being the Premium grade it misses out on a rear barn door option, something included on both the Toyota and Ford rivals. You get the benefit of a powered tailgate instead, though it's quite long when fully open. That means you get shelter from the rain, but you'll struggle to load from the rear with a forklift, and you also won't be able to open it if you reverse even remotely closely up to a wall. The Staria Load makes up for it with sliding side doors, though their openings aren't terribly wide. On the inside you get eight tie-down points compared to the HiAce's six, but only one light positioned on the roof above the tailgate. That makes it difficult to see if you're using the side doors at night. There's only bare panelling on the roof, which echoes noise once on the road. It's the same as what you find in a Transit Custom, though Toyota adds a roof liner and a central dome light to its HiAce. The rear windows are protected by thick wire bars, and everything else is as it says on the box. It works well for the purpose it serves, though we suspect the rubber used in the optional floor contributed to the strange smell we were greeted with when stepping inside. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool Unlike the Hyundai Staria people mover, there's just one engine available for the Staria Load. All three Staria Load variants share the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission exclusively. Drive is sent to only the front wheels, unlike in the rear-drive HiAce. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool We say you shouldn't expect too much in terms of comfort from a van, and the Staria Load is a good example of why. Unladen, the ride is incredibly bouncy. Things that wouldn't bother a typical car suddenly feel like small jump ramps, and you'll find yourself going out of your way to avoid bumps and holes that could throw the van around. That's not to say it'll become unsettled over larger bumps, but it can often be enough to catch you off guard. With a couple hundred kilograms worth of cargo loaded into the back it's a different story, but if you're often driving an empty van it can become difficult to live with. While we had similar comments about the Transit Custom, it's still true that the HiAce can manage its ride a lot better even when the load space is empty. The Hyundai is quieter than the Toyota, at least compared to the bog-standard HiAce we drove with no interior options selected. Had they been comparably optioned, the noise battle may have turned out differently. The bounciness isn't helped by its wheels either, as although they're a fairly standard size at 17-inches they feel (and look) far too small for such a large van. Bumping up the wheel size an inch or two would make it look better, but would increase tyre replacement costs, worsen the bumpy-road ride and also come at the expense of on-road noise – which already isn't great. Still, it's not all bad, and if you come into the Staria Load with a rough idea of what to expect there's not much that will take you by surprise. Once you're past the initial bumps and bounces, this Hyundai turns out to be an enjoyable van to drive. It feels considerably taller than its rivals, and that helps to provide the high driving position it benefits from. There's also great visibility out front thanks to its sloped bonnet, and it's a good middle ground between a typical passenger car and the vans of old in which the crumple zones were your knees. Visibility is good out the side windows too, but that's where the limitations start. As it's a standard van with no side windows, physical blind-spot visibility is poor. Hyundai makes up for it with the cameras fitted on each side, which project a live image to the instrument cluster when the corresponding indicator is activated. We've seen such tech in other Hyundai and Kia products before, and while it seemed superfluous there, we feel this is a much more practical application. For comparison, Ford's solution to the blind-spot issue is to fit a fisheye mirror to each side mirror housing, while Toyota has nothing beyond digital monitoring. Ford and Hyundai supplement their blind-spot solutions with a monitoring system. The performance of the Staria Load isn't anything ridiculous, but it has no trouble getting up to speed in a hurry. Low-end torque is strong enough to get it out of most sticky situations, and when there's nothing in the back it can be quite spritely and agile. Surprising given its dimensions, but it makes it even better as a run-around in built-up areas. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well-behaved and almost never caught in the wrong gear, with smooth shifts and a quick response its headlining characteristics. Hyundai has made the driving experience as easy as possible from a handling perspective too, as the Staria Load boasts light steering and a tight turning circle to make up for its size. If you're a commercial vehicle buyer who needs the Staria Load for transport and logistics, it's good to have that manoeuvrability for the various tight spaces you may find yourself in. The Staria Load is fitted with adaptive cruise control with lane centring as standard, and it worked reliably in our week with the van. There wasn't a tendency to stray out of its lane, and steering inputs were consistent and smooth. Longer drives on the freeway were made easy as a result, especially if you avoided changing lanes as much as possible because of those blind-spot limitations. Downsides include its headlights, which we feel could be a bit brighter. Its high-beams worked fine, but in unlit areas it's not quite as bright as we're used to. You do get the benefit of the LED light bar across the front, which provides greater visibility for other road users. Another was the road noise, which was especially bad on wet roads. As it isn't a passenger vehicle, that isn't a deal-breaker, and it's manageable if you're fine with a bit of extra volume. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against our rivals? Use our comparison tool. There are three grades of Staria Load, each with a handful of key features to set them apart. 2025 Hyundai Staria Load equipment highlights: The Crew Van receives a centre console storage box, a three-seat second-row bench, second-row windows and two more USB-C ports. Staria Premium (liftback only) adds: Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing of the related people mover conducted in 2021. Standard safety equipment includes: While previous Starias featured blind-spot assist as standard, the 2025 model has reverted to an alarm-only system. The Staria Load Premium adds a blind-spot view monitor, as well as the model debut of Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity, which includes automatic collision notification, emergency call (SOS) function and alert services including geo-fencing, valet, speed and time alerts. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool If you're in need of a van, the Staria Load is one well worth considering. It may not be as iconic as something like a HiAce or as stylish as the new Transit Custom, but if you're after strong cargo capacity in a comfortable package, the Staria Load has plenty to offer. Its interior tech is great, even without wireless smartphone mirroring, and the cabin is well-enough appointed to keep you interested without going over the top. The driving tech works reliably and never becomes intrusive either, which is more than can be said for many other Hyundai and Kia products. Hyundai's diesel engine is a strong unit too, and when mated with a reliable gearbox it makes for an enjoyable drive – even if it can be a bit bouncy with nothing in the back. Ride quality does leave a bit to be desired, and if you need to transport more than one passenger you're going to struggle with the lack of a middle seat. The options fitted to our tester, including the cargo barrier, are things that should be included as standard, because we feel they're van must-haves. Driving around with cargo sliding into the front cabin isn't ideal, and it's a lot of space to heat in winter. It also lacks the practicality of rear barn doors, and for a top-spec model it'd benefit from something like powered sliding side doors. Wireless Apple CarPlay would also complement that large infotainment display nicely. But as a van made to transport cargo and be comfortable for long hours on the road, the Staria Load obliges. It may not be our first choice, but as a rival to other well-established van nameplates it's a worthy contender. Interested in buying a Hyundai Staria Load? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers Everything Hyundai Staria Content originally sourced from: Staria Pros Hyundai Staria Cons Hyundai's commercial hauler has polarising looks, but its practicality is hard to debate. Note: This is a revised version of our recent review of the Hyundai Staria Load, as there have been no major changes to the model since it was published. We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available. Read our latest price and specs article here for all the details. WATCH: Paul's video review of the Hyundai Staria Highlander The Staria Load, like its related people mover namesake, the Staria, is a neat package from one of Australia's most versatile brands. There may not be performance or hybrid tech here, but what you do get is plenty of tech and features to keep you satisfied. A comfortable interior, quality infotainment, and agile steering are just a few things to get you interested; the rest you'll learn about through some time behind the wheel. Hyundai offers a large catalogue of genuine accessories too, which allows buyers to kit out their Staria Load with everything they need to improve the base package in their own specific way. It all comes in at a competitive price too, matching the comparable Toyota HiAce and undercutting the new Ford Transit Custom. In 2024, the commercial Staria outsold the people mover variant at 3503 to 1363, selling in fewer units than only Hyundai's best-selling passenger cars like the i30 and Tucson. In the van world, it doesn't quite match up to the best-selling HiAce (12,082), although it ranked ahead of the Transit Custom (3427) and LDV G10 (2843). Are you better off sticking with the crowd, or is the spaceship-style Staria Load the one you should be going for instead? The top-spec Premium variant of the Staria Load range rings up at $51,740 before on-road costs – exactly $5000 up on the range-opening two-seater. It's more expensive than even the five-seat crew van, despite missing out on side windows and those additional seats. That price is before you start adding the extra Hyundai accessories fitted to our tester, which include a cargo barrier ($958.33), a heavy-duty rubber cargo floor mat ($796.63), and all-weather floor mats ($249.80). Ours is also painted in Moonlight Blue (no longer available), which like the other premium colours brings an additional cost of $750. That means if you want a Staria Load like the one you see here, expect to add nearly $3000 to the list price – and that's before you consider on-road costs. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool While we'd stop short of calling it luxurious, there's a lot to like about the Staria Load's cabin. The thing worth remembering with the Staria Load is that it is a commercial vehicle, and as such it'd be unreasonable to expect limousine-like comfort levels before getting behind the wheel. Being the Premium grade, you do get some extra goodies like a larger infotainment display and digital instrument cluster, but as with the cheaper variants it's headlined by its work-focused setup and barebones approach. Such elements are evident in the materials used, which are all hard to the touch and utilitarian in appearance. The only soft-touch items you get are the large gear selector and steering wheel, the latter of which we've seen in other large Hyundai models like the Palisade. I'm not the biggest fan of this steering wheel, but it does feel more at home here than it does in something like the Palisade. It's wrapped in smooth, quality leather, and its size and angle are reminiscent of a small bus or an older Toyota HiAce van. A quirk in the driving configuration is the seating position. From the comfortable cloth-trimmed seat you get a commanding view of everything around you, though it does lack armrests that would make the Staria Load that little bit more cruisy. It also lacks three-person seating up front, though that means you're able to make use of the space in the middle that's otherwise occupied by a storage box in the five-seat crew van. The Staria Load's layout is otherwise conventional, which means it takes no time to get used to. What you may not be used to is having to look over the steering wheel to view the instrument cluster, because the display is mounted high atop the dash to make way for a hidden storage cubby. It all works as intended, but you may need to take an extra second to get yourself adjusted accordingly if you're a shorter individual. That generally won't be an issue though, and it's worth the compromise for the extra storage space it unlocks. Ignoring the elephant in the van for the time being, Hyundai has been creative to implement as many storage options up front as possible. There are two hidden storage cubbies on top of the dashboard for various odds and ends, as well as a more conventional glovebox ahead of the passenger seat. On the roof are also two storage shelves with elastic nets. At the base of the centre console is another tub for loose items, and a cut-out for phone storage is found just above that. A wireless charging pad is located in a larger slot under the climate control panel, which also has plenty of space for other things like the key fob. There's also a singular cupholder on top of the dash on the driver's side, which seems precariously close to the digital instrument display. Passengers can make use of the hidden cupholder on the centre console, which folds out when you press on its panel. Storage is otherwise made up of space in the door cards and shallow cut-outs beneath the windows, while there's a hidden compartment integrated into the driver's side step for recovery gear. Creature comforts in the Staria Load are kept to a minimum. There are no heated seats, power-adjustment, or digital rear-view mirrors to make use of; everything instead gets straight to the point. The most complicated item is the climate and infotainment panel, which is populated by a plethora of touchscreen buttons and headlined by that 10.25-inch display. That display is nothing new for Hyundai models, and it looks great graphically with reliable functionality. A downside to the larger screen is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay from smaller-screen models, which means you'll have to hook up your phone via cable instead. Doing so is achieved via the USB-A port next to the gear selector, and there's that convenient slot underneath for your phone to sit while plugged in. The climate control panel is clearly legible thanks to its large icons, and its centre display helps to show what's going on. There are shortcuts above for the various infotainment functions, and everything can be controlled via the buttons on the steering wheel. Those steering wheel buttons all function as the should and worked reliably in our week with the van. They're also the place to adjust things relating to appearance too, should you want to mess with the way the instrument cluster looks. The gloss-black button material is a gripe, but it gives a more premium look in conjunction with the textured stalks behind. It's all clean and classy – Hyundai has struck a convincing balance between practicality and interior design in the Staria Load. Displays on the instrument cluster are linked to drive mode, which can be toggled using the discreet button below the climate control interface. There are three modes and appearances to cycle through, but you can lock it in a particular theme if you prefer one over the others. Time to talk cargo. It's a van, and the space you get in the back is largely as you'd expect. Our tester was fitted with the optional rubber floor and cargo barrier, though we feel such items should be included as standard. The floor protection helps to dampen noise and reduce the risk of scratches to the interior paint – much like what the panelling fitted to the walls as standard does. The cargo barrier, which only works to keep cargo from sliding through, is nice to have even if it won't keep the cabin's climate isolated. Having the optional solid barrier (or even the optional partition screen) would be preferable for passenger comfort and noise dampening, but this is better than nothing. Space in the back of the Staria Load is quoted at 4.935 cubic metres, smaller than the HiAce at 6.2m. Even so, it doesn't feel compromised by any means. Hyundai fits a sliding door on each side as standard (unlike Ford does with the Transit Custom), though being the Premium grade it misses out on a rear barn door option, something included on both the Toyota and Ford rivals. You get the benefit of a powered tailgate instead, though it's quite long when fully open. That means you get shelter from the rain, but you'll struggle to load from the rear with a forklift, and you also won't be able to open it if you reverse even remotely closely up to a wall. The Staria Load makes up for it with sliding side doors, though their openings aren't terribly wide. On the inside you get eight tie-down points compared to the HiAce's six, but only one light positioned on the roof above the tailgate. That makes it difficult to see if you're using the side doors at night. There's only bare panelling on the roof, which echoes noise once on the road. It's the same as what you find in a Transit Custom, though Toyota adds a roof liner and a central dome light to its HiAce. The rear windows are protected by thick wire bars, and everything else is as it says on the box. It works well for the purpose it serves, though we suspect the rubber used in the optional floor contributed to the strange smell we were greeted with when stepping inside. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool Unlike the Hyundai Staria people mover, there's just one engine available for the Staria Load. All three Staria Load variants share the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission exclusively. Drive is sent to only the front wheels, unlike in the rear-drive HiAce. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool We say you shouldn't expect too much in terms of comfort from a van, and the Staria Load is a good example of why. Unladen, the ride is incredibly bouncy. Things that wouldn't bother a typical car suddenly feel like small jump ramps, and you'll find yourself going out of your way to avoid bumps and holes that could throw the van around. That's not to say it'll become unsettled over larger bumps, but it can often be enough to catch you off guard. With a couple hundred kilograms worth of cargo loaded into the back it's a different story, but if you're often driving an empty van it can become difficult to live with. While we had similar comments about the Transit Custom, it's still true that the HiAce can manage its ride a lot better even when the load space is empty. The Hyundai is quieter than the Toyota, at least compared to the bog-standard HiAce we drove with no interior options selected. Had they been comparably optioned, the noise battle may have turned out differently. The bounciness isn't helped by its wheels either, as although they're a fairly standard size at 17-inches they feel (and look) far too small for such a large van. Bumping up the wheel size an inch or two would make it look better, but would increase tyre replacement costs, worsen the bumpy-road ride and also come at the expense of on-road noise – which already isn't great. Still, it's not all bad, and if you come into the Staria Load with a rough idea of what to expect there's not much that will take you by surprise. Once you're past the initial bumps and bounces, this Hyundai turns out to be an enjoyable van to drive. It feels considerably taller than its rivals, and that helps to provide the high driving position it benefits from. There's also great visibility out front thanks to its sloped bonnet, and it's a good middle ground between a typical passenger car and the vans of old in which the crumple zones were your knees. Visibility is good out the side windows too, but that's where the limitations start. As it's a standard van with no side windows, physical blind-spot visibility is poor. Hyundai makes up for it with the cameras fitted on each side, which project a live image to the instrument cluster when the corresponding indicator is activated. We've seen such tech in other Hyundai and Kia products before, and while it seemed superfluous there, we feel this is a much more practical application. For comparison, Ford's solution to the blind-spot issue is to fit a fisheye mirror to each side mirror housing, while Toyota has nothing beyond digital monitoring. Ford and Hyundai supplement their blind-spot solutions with a monitoring system. The performance of the Staria Load isn't anything ridiculous, but it has no trouble getting up to speed in a hurry. Low-end torque is strong enough to get it out of most sticky situations, and when there's nothing in the back it can be quite spritely and agile. Surprising given its dimensions, but it makes it even better as a run-around in built-up areas. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well-behaved and almost never caught in the wrong gear, with smooth shifts and a quick response its headlining characteristics. Hyundai has made the driving experience as easy as possible from a handling perspective too, as the Staria Load boasts light steering and a tight turning circle to make up for its size. If you're a commercial vehicle buyer who needs the Staria Load for transport and logistics, it's good to have that manoeuvrability for the various tight spaces you may find yourself in. The Staria Load is fitted with adaptive cruise control with lane centring as standard, and it worked reliably in our week with the van. There wasn't a tendency to stray out of its lane, and steering inputs were consistent and smooth. Longer drives on the freeway were made easy as a result, especially if you avoided changing lanes as much as possible because of those blind-spot limitations. Downsides include its headlights, which we feel could be a bit brighter. Its high-beams worked fine, but in unlit areas it's not quite as bright as we're used to. You do get the benefit of the LED light bar across the front, which provides greater visibility for other road users. Another was the road noise, which was especially bad on wet roads. As it isn't a passenger vehicle, that isn't a deal-breaker, and it's manageable if you're fine with a bit of extra volume. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against our rivals? Use our comparison tool. There are three grades of Staria Load, each with a handful of key features to set them apart. 2025 Hyundai Staria Load equipment highlights: The Crew Van receives a centre console storage box, a three-seat second-row bench, second-row windows and two more USB-C ports. Staria Premium (liftback only) adds: Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing of the related people mover conducted in 2021. Standard safety equipment includes: While previous Starias featured blind-spot assist as standard, the 2025 model has reverted to an alarm-only system. The Staria Load Premium adds a blind-spot view monitor, as well as the model debut of Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity, which includes automatic collision notification, emergency call (SOS) function and alert services including geo-fencing, valet, speed and time alerts. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool The Hyundai Staria Load is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Interested to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up against its rivals? Use our comparison tool If you're in need of a van, the Staria Load is one well worth considering. It may not be as iconic as something like a HiAce or as stylish as the new Transit Custom, but if you're after strong cargo capacity in a comfortable package, the Staria Load has plenty to offer. Its interior tech is great, even without wireless smartphone mirroring, and the cabin is well-enough appointed to keep you interested without going over the top. The driving tech works reliably and never becomes intrusive either, which is more than can be said for many other Hyundai and Kia products. Hyundai's diesel engine is a strong unit too, and when mated with a reliable gearbox it makes for an enjoyable drive – even if it can be a bit bouncy with nothing in the back. Ride quality does leave a bit to be desired, and if you need to transport more than one passenger you're going to struggle with the lack of a middle seat. The options fitted to our tester, including the cargo barrier, are things that should be included as standard, because we feel they're van must-haves. Driving around with cargo sliding into the front cabin isn't ideal, and it's a lot of space to heat in winter. It also lacks the practicality of rear barn doors, and for a top-spec model it'd benefit from something like powered sliding side doors. Wireless Apple CarPlay would also complement that large infotainment display nicely. But as a van made to transport cargo and be comfortable for long hours on the road, the Staria Load obliges. It may not be our first choice, but as a rival to other well-established van nameplates it's a worthy contender. Interested in buying a Hyundai Staria Load? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers Everything Hyundai Staria Content originally sourced from:
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Inside world's biggest car factory where a motor is made every ten SECONDS – spanning 1,200-acres & open 18 hours a day
The key to why Hyundai can manufacture so many motors each year CONVEYOR BELT Inside world's biggest car factory where a motor is made every ten SECONDS – spanning 1,200-acres & open 18 hours a day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POPULAR car manufacturer, Hyundai, produces a staggering 1.5million cars a year at their South Korean base, almost doubling the UK's output. This streamline system allows the manufacturer to make a motor every 10 seconds, making it the world's largest vehicle plant. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The plant is in Ulsan, South Korea Credit: Getty - Contributor 5 The site is spans across a staggering 1,200 acres Credit: Handout-Hyundai 5 Production lines run for 18 hours a day Credit: Getty With a dock on site, the vehicles are built, tested and shipped out to California in one seamless operation at the Hyundai Ulsan plant on the south-eastern coast. Autocar went inside Plant 5 to watch the roll out of some of Hyundai's most popular motors. According to Autocar, after coming off the production line, and following a quality control check, finished cars are sent to a huge car park at the dockside. The cars are then loaded onto the ship using a steep ramp at the rear. Once a number of Elantras have blasted up it, the drivers race on foot back down the ramp and jump into a Hyundai Staria to be driven to their next machines. According to one of the factory manager's, this unique way of producing and exporting cars saves both money and time, and is the key to why Hyundai can make so many vehicles each year. 5 Hyundai first arrived in Ulsan in 1968 Credit: Getty 5 The site holds the title of the world's largest vehicle plant Credit: Getty Set across 1200 acres, the impressive site boasts five factories, as well as an engine and transmission plant. It is also the only automotive production facility in the world to have a dedicated on-site port which ships 75 per cent of its yearly output to more than 200 countries around the world. With production lines running for 18 hours a day, 17 different Hyundai models are produced here, from the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, to the entire Genesis line-up. After opening just a year after Hyundai itself was formed in 1968, the plant has gone from a small Ford assembly facility, to a giant site which sees a ship full of cars leave the port every 24 hours. Car buyers face $500 added fee when buying new vehicle as angry drivers blast 'it's only benefitting dealers' The city of Ulsan has also grown around the plant, going from a population of 30,000 when Hyundai arrived in 1968, to 1.1 million people today - roughly the same population as Birmingham. What was once a fishing port, has now become South Korea's industrial hub. The city doesn't take Hyundai's presence for granted as a motorway was named after the company's founder. As well as this, a hospital, a school, and a handful of restaurants bear the Hyundai name with pride.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kia PV5 Is A Modular Electric Van We Need But Might Miss Out On
Kia might have found the sweet spot in the current spectrum of electric vans. The Korean automaker unveiled the full details for the PV5 at its EV Day event in Spain on Thursday. Kia's van falls into a utilitarian midpoint between the futuristic Hyundai Staria and the blandly conventional Ford E-Transit. The PV5 has all the ingredients to be successful, but we'll have to patiently wait to see if it will arrive stateside. The Kia PV5 is offered with 51.5-kWh or 71.2-kWh battery packs; the larger battery option will give 248 miles of range to drivers, slightly more than the Volkswagen ID Buzz's 234-mile range. With its fast-charging capabilities, the PV5's battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in only half an hour. While range won't be an issue, the lack of power might dissuade some potential buyers. The PV5's electric motor produces 160 horsepower, a bit lackluster compared to the ID Buzz's 282 horsepower output. Read more: All Aboard South Korea's New $100 Billion Baby-Making Trains A highlight of the PV5 is the flexibility of its modular interior and flat floor. The van's passenger version features a three-row seating configuration where the third row or front passenger seat can be removed and replaced with cargo space. This flexibility is even broader for the model targeting commercial use. The dedicated PV5 Cargo can be ordered with a high roof, offering 54.9 square feet of cargo space, and the cargo version can be optioned with a smaller 43.3-kWh battery. Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song said: By integrating the clean efficiency of an electric powertrain with the unprecedented flexibility of our new PBV architecture and advancing our product, software, and manufacturing innovations, the PV5 embodies our core values as a sustainable mobility solutions vehicles have become incredibly complex, but with the PV5, Kia has united multiple cutting-edge technologies toward the goal of simplifying users' mobility experiences. This removes complexity from their personal transport needs and frees them to focus on the pursuit of their ambitions and fulfillment of their passions. Song also discussed the elephant in the room, or the hen coop in this case. Kia's electric van will be available in Europe and Korea in the second half of 2025, but Americans will have to wait longer. Song noted that Kia will try to bring the PV5 to the United States despite the 25-percent chicken tax, according to Motor1. Kia has further variants of the PV5 planned, including a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, a chassis cab version and a Crew iteration featuring cargo lashing points. It would be a shame for the U.S. to miss out on what could be the best modern take on the timeless panel van. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kia PV5 Is An Electric Van Sent From The Future To Haul People And Things
There are a lot of cool new vans on the roads these days, from the robot-like Hyundai Staria and the retro Volkswagen ID. Buzz, to more commercial offerings like Rivian's adorable cargo van. The next to hit the market might be the coolest yet: Enter the fantastic-looking Kia PV5. Previewed in concept form at CES last year, the mid-size PV5 is the first production model to come from Kia's electric PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) modular architecture, which will spawn at least two other van models. Aside from losing the digital display in the front bumper and gaining things like door handles and mirrors, the PV5's design is almost exactly the same as the concept, which is a great thing. As with the brand's road cars, the PV5 looks like it came from years in the future to brighten our world with sci-fi styling. Kia describes its aesthetic as transcending that of traditional commercial vans, and it certainly has a unique face thanks to its blunt nose with a blacked-out upper panel, and zig-zagging running lights that flow into the A-pillar. The main headlights sit at the top of the PV5's "mouth" in the bumper, which also has active air flap intakes, a skid plate–like element, and a central charge port. Read more: Cars these days have increasingly higher beltlines and smaller windows, vans included, so the PV5 is a breath of fresh air in that regard. Its side windows go really low down into the doors, with the quarter windows ending a little higher up. Black glass surrounds on the pillars give the illusion of glass wrapping all the way around the van, which works especially well at the front end to make the body seem a lot slimmer at the fenders. The upward kink at the B-pillar is reminiscent of the Telluride. Another great element are the wheel arches. While the openings themselves are normal and round, the black plastic surround is angular (like on the new EV4) and the bodywork around those arch extensions is chamfered inwards to add dimension. Kia says this links the PV5 to its SUVs and "suggests an off-road character," which bodes well for the awesome PV5 Wkndr concept to go into production. The body tapers inward a bit at the D-pillar, with relatively simple upright tailights framing the swing-up tailgate. There is also a commercial cargo van version, of course, and while it loses that wraparound black window motif it still looks great. Aside from the blanked-out side window panels, the main difference is that the cargo version gets a pair of side-hinged barn doors instead of the swing-up tailgate of the passenger model, which makes sense. Also, look at the wheels! How sick are those? Three-spoke wheels are making a comeback in a big way, and I'm here for it. Kia hasn't released dimensions of the production PV5 yet, but the concept was 182.9 inches long with a 117.9-inch wheelbase, making it about a foot shorter in overall length than an ID. Buzz. On the inside, expect a super low and flat load floor, a bunch of different seating configurations, and modular storage solutions. The PV5 range will get its full reveal at Kia's EV Day event in Spain on February 24, with the lineup to include "derivative models and conversion options," but you'll have to wait until February 27th to see the van's interior and learn other details. Kia showed a high-roof version of the concept last year, so expect that to be an option along with different body lengths and a chassis cab pickup version. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
