Hyundai iLOAD : THE I'S HAVE IT

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Once again, Hyundai brings a fresh standard of value to a fresh market sector. This time they've taken on the medium-sized Transit-style panel van market with their iLoad. Jonathan Crouch checks it out

OK, so you've never heard of a Hyundai iLoad. Big deal. You've heard of Hyundai and you probably know that their cars offer high-quality, cost efficiency, long warranties and a decent driving experience. It's not a big step to transfer all those virtues to the van market. This South Korean brand claims that with this vehicle, they've a rear-wheel drive medium panel van that not only offers an impressive specification, but also has one of the best payloads and cargo areas in its class. Not bad for around £14,000.

So your business is looking for a medium-sized panel van, something Ford Transit-sized. You've been given the job of deciding what to buy, so you get in all the shiny brochures. And sure enough, it all looks very impressive. Lots of equipment. Hi-tech features. Great if you're a big fleet customer and can get a fancy model at a fancy discount. But what if you just want one van and you've been given a minimal budget to buy it? This is where the problems start. Say your company has less than £14,000 to spend but you want to give Joe, your delivery driver, a few little comfort features to make his everyday job a little easier. Nothing too extreme - just air conditioning to take the edge off hot days, an aux-in point so he can plug in his i-Pod and a height-adjustable driver's seat. And of course, there's no point in ordering the smallest version, so bottom of the range payloads and loading capacities just won't do. In other words, you want an all-in panel van at an all-in price. If that's the case, you might very well want a Hyundai iLoad. You won't be surprised to hear that the iLoad is unlikely to prove very interesting to drive, unless you, or your staff, are very easily pleased. Still, that's hardly what van ownership is about. The main thing is that it has plenty of power to move the heavy-ish loadsit can accommodate - its 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 116PS (114bhp) and a decent 343Nm (253lb ft) of torque. This pulling power, around 50Nm more than most rivals', is available from just 1,750rpm, meaning drivers can keep the engine speeds lower and help fuel consumption. Its strength low down in the rev range is perfect for getting weighty loads off the line or up steep inclines. Plus the cut and thrust of motorway travel is also greatly simplified when you've got this much of the good stuff under your right foot.

"It's clear that you're getting a great deal more for your money with this vanâ€¦"

The engine's power is fed through the rear wheels, giving benefits in traction and manoeuvrability compared to front-wheel drive rivals. There's the usual diesel rumble at start-up but once operating temperatures are achieved, the iLoad goes about its business in a reasonably hushed manner. The driving position is nice and high affording good viability and easy access. The dash-mounted gear shifter has a nice, positive feel and the braking performance inspires confidence. Jump in behind the steering wheel: you'll see the cabin is typical Hyundai and pretty much identical to the brand's i800 people carrier (in the unlikely event that you've driven one of those). It's all neat and unfussy with dark grey plastics prevailing on every surface. The layout is simple but effective, with the dials and buttons you need feeling solid and falling easily to hand. Storage provision is good and the standard inclusion of twin side-loading doors makes accessing your cargo much easier. The full-sized glazed steel bulkhead also keeps the cabin pretty quiet too. Although the iLoad is packed with equipment, there is still plenty of room for cargo. Its overall payload is 1062kg, while a load length of 2375mm, width of 1620mm and height of 1350mm allow enough space to comfortably accommodate two standard pallets.Â The overall load volume is 4.3 cubic metres. The interior feels hard wearing and while there's a signal absence of plush soft-feel plastics or nifty design touches, everything seems wipe clean and well thought through. Only one model, one engine and one trim level is being offered, so you won't have to worry about being short-changed. The standard equipment list puts many more expensive rivals to shame, with air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, central locking, a CD stereo with aux-in connectivity, height adjustable steering column, driver and passenger airbags, height-adjustable driver's seat and seatbelts, twin side loading doors, a full-sized glazed steel bulkhead and masses of cabin storage. ESP stability control is the only (and very worthwhile) option. If your business needs to transport people as well as packages, a six-seat double cab model is offered as a special-order option. Hyundai don't have much of a back history in selling vans in the UK but that shouldn't prevent business customers seriously looking at the company's iLoad, especially when they consider the brand's recently impressive record of reliability and clever design in the car market. Compare this medium-sized panel van against obvious rivals like Ford's Transit or Volkswagen's Transporter and it's clear that you're getting a great deal more for your money. In these troubled times, there's a lot to be said for that.

Facts At A Glance MANUFACTURER: Hyundai MODEL: iLoad BHP: 114bhp PAY
LOAD CAPACITY: 1062kg LOAD VOLUME: 4.3m3 GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2315-2350kg LOAD LENGTH: 2,375mm LOAD WIDTH: 1,620mm LOAD HEIGHT: 1,350mm December 7th 2008