Hyundai’s business hauler has polarising appears to be like, however its practicality is difficult to debate.
Be aware: It is a revised model of our current assessment of the Hyundai Staria Load, as there have been no main adjustments to the mannequin because it was revealed.
We’ve got up to date key particulars corresponding to pricing and specs with the freshest info obtainable. Learn our newest worth and specs article right here for all the main points.
WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the Hyundai Staria Highlander
The Staria Load, like its associated folks mover namesake, the Staria, is a neat package deal from considered one of Australia’s most versatile manufacturers.
There is probably not efficiency or hybrid tech right here, however what you do get is loads of tech and options to maintain you glad. A snug inside, high quality infotainment, and agile steering are just some issues to get you ; the remaining you’ll find out about by a while behind the wheel.
Hyundai presents a big catalogue of real equipment too, which permits patrons to package out their Staria Load with the whole lot they should enhance the bottom package deal in their very own particular approach.
All of it is available in at a aggressive worth too, matching the comparable Toyota HiAce and undercutting the brand new Ford Transit Customized.
In 2024, the business Staria outsold the folks mover variant at 3503 to 1363, promoting in fewer models than solely Hyundai’s best-selling passenger vehicles just like the i30 and Tucson.
Within the van world, it doesn’t fairly match as much as the best-selling HiAce (12,082), though it ranked forward of the Transit Customized (3427) and LDV G10 (2843).
Are you higher off sticking with the gang, or is the spaceship-style Staria Load the one you have to be going for as a substitute?
How a lot does the Hyundai Staria Load value?
The highest-spec Premium variant of the Staria Load vary rings up at $51,740 earlier than on-road prices – precisely $5000 up on the range-opening two-seater.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Hyundai Staria Load two-seat van | $46,740 |
| 2025 Hyundai Staria Load five-seat crew van | $50,640 |
| 2025 Hyundai Staria Load Premium two-seat van | $51,740 |
It’s dearer than even the five-seat crew van, regardless of lacking out on aspect home windows and people further seats. That worth is earlier than you begin including the additional Hyundai equipment fitted to our tester, which embody a cargo barrier ($958.33), a heavy-duty rubber cargo ground mat ($796.63), and all-weather ground mats ($249.80).
Ours can be painted in Moonlight Blue (not obtainable), which like the opposite premium colors brings an extra value of $750. Which means if you’d like a Staria Load just like the one you see right here, anticipate so as to add almost $3000 to the record worth – and that’s earlier than you think about on-road prices.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards its rivals? Use our comparability software
What’s the Hyundai Staria Load like on the within?
Whereas we’d cease in need of calling it luxurious, there’s so much to love concerning the Staria Load’s cabin.
The factor value remembering with the Staria Load is that it’s a business car, and as such it’d be unreasonable to anticipate limousine-like consolation ranges earlier than getting behind the wheel.
Being the Premium grade, you do get some further goodies like a bigger infotainment show and digital instrument cluster, however as with the cheaper variants it’s headlined by its work-focused setup and barebones strategy.
Such components are evident within the supplies used, that are all exhausting to the contact and utilitarian in look. The one soft-touch objects you get are the big gear selector and steering wheel, the latter of which we’ve seen in different giant Hyundai fashions just like the Palisade.
I’m not the largest fan of this steering wheel, however it does really feel extra at house right here than it does in one thing just like the Palisade. It’s wrapped in easy, high quality leather-based, and its dimension and angle are paying homage to a small bus or an older Toyota HiAce van.
A quirk within the driving configuration is the seating place. From the snug cloth-trimmed seat you get a commanding view of the whole lot round you, although it does lack armrests that may make the Staria Load that little bit extra cruisy.
It additionally lacks three-person seating up entrance, although which means you’re in a position to make use of the house within the center that’s in any other case occupied by a storage field within the five-seat crew van. The Staria Load’s format is in any other case typical, which suggests it takes no time to get used to.
What you is probably not used to is having to look over the steering wheel to view the instrument cluster, as a result of the show is mounted excessive atop the sprint to make approach for a hidden storage cubby.
All of it works as supposed, however it’s possible you’ll must take an additional second to get your self adjusted accordingly for those who’re a shorter particular person. That typically gained’t be a difficulty although, and it’s definitely worth the compromise for the additional space for storing it unlocks.
Ignoring the elephant within the van in the intervening time, Hyundai has been artistic to implement as many storage choices up entrance as attainable.
There are two hidden storage cubbies on prime of the dashboard for numerous odds and ends, in addition to a extra typical glovebox forward of the passenger seat. On the roof are additionally two storage cabinets with elastic nets.
On the base of the centre console is one other tub for unfastened objects, and a cut-out for cellphone storage is discovered simply above that. A wi-fi charging pad is positioned in a bigger slot underneath the local weather management panel, which additionally has loads of house for different issues like the important thing fob.
There’s additionally a singular cupholder on prime of the sprint on the driving force’s aspect, which appears precariously near the digital instrument show. Passengers could make use of the hidden cupholder on the centre console, which folds out whenever you press on its panel.
Storage is in any other case made up of house within the door playing cards and shallow cut-outs beneath the home windows, whereas there’s a hidden compartment built-in into the driving force’s aspect step for restoration gear.
Creature comforts within the Staria Load are stored to a minimal. There are not any heated seats, power-adjustment, or digital rear-view mirrors to utilize; the whole lot as a substitute will get straight to the purpose.
Probably the most difficult merchandise is the local weather and infotainment panel, which is populated by a plethora of touchscreen buttons and headlined by that 10.25-inch show. That show is nothing new for Hyundai fashions, and it appears to be like nice graphically with dependable performance.
A draw back to the bigger display screen is the shortage of wi-fi Apple CarPlay from smaller-screen fashions, which suggests you’ll need to hook up your cellphone through cable as a substitute.
Doing so is achieved through the USB-A port subsequent to the gear selector, and there’s that handy slot beneath in your cellphone to take a seat whereas plugged in.
The local weather management panel is clearly legible because of its giant icons, and its centre show helps to point out what’s occurring. There are shortcuts above for the varied infotainment capabilities, and the whole lot could be managed through the buttons on the steering wheel.
These steering wheel buttons all perform because the ought to and labored reliably in our week with the van. They’re additionally the place to regulate issues referring to look too, must you wish to mess with the best way the instrument cluster appears to be like.
The gloss-black button materials is a gripe, however it offers a extra premium look along with the textured stalks behind.
It’s all clear and stylish – Hyundai has struck a convincing steadiness between practicality and inside design within the Staria Load.
Shows on the instrument cluster are linked to drive mode, which could be toggled utilizing the discreet button beneath the local weather management interface.
There are three modes and appearances to cycle by, however you may lock it in a specific theme for those who choose one over the others.
Time to speak cargo. It’s a van, and the house you get within the again is essentially as you’d anticipate.
Our tester was fitted with the elective rubber ground and cargo barrier, although we really feel such objects must be included as normal.
The ground safety helps to dampen noise and cut back the chance of scratches to the inside paint – very similar to what the panelling fitted to the partitions as normal does.
The cargo barrier, which solely works to maintain cargo from sliding by, is sweet to have even when it gained’t maintain the cabin’s local weather remoted.
Having the elective stable barrier (and even the elective partition display screen) could be preferable for passenger consolation and noise dampening, however that is higher than nothing.
House behind the Staria Load is quoted at 4.935 cubic metres, smaller than the HiAce at 6.2m. Even so, it doesn’t really feel compromised by any means.
Hyundai matches a sliding door on both sides as normal (in contrast to Ford does with the Transit Customized), although being the Premium grade it misses out on a rear barn door possibility, one thing included on each the Toyota and Ford rivals.
You get the advantage of a powered tailgate as a substitute, although it’s fairly lengthy when totally open. Which means you get shelter from the rain, however you’ll wrestle to load from the rear with a forklift, and also you additionally gained’t have the ability to open it for those who reverse even remotely carefully as much as a wall.
The Staria Load makes up for it with sliding aspect doorways, although their openings aren’t terribly broad.
On the within you get eight tie-down factors in comparison with the HiAce’s six, however just one gentle positioned on the roof above the tailgate. That makes it troublesome to see for those who’re utilizing the aspect doorways at evening.
There’s solely naked panelling on the roof, which echoes noise as soon as on the street. It’s the identical as what you discover in a Transit Customized, although Toyota provides a roof liner and a central dome gentle to its HiAce.
The rear home windows are protected by thick wire bars, and the whole lot else is because it says on the field. It really works effectively for the aim it serves, although we suspect the rubber used within the elective ground contributed to the unusual scent we have been greeted with when stepping inside.
| Dimensions | Hyundai Staria Load Premium |
|---|---|
| Size | 5253mm |
| Width | 1997mm |
| Top | 2000mm |
| Wheelbase | 3273mm |
| Cargo bay size | 2607mm |
| Cargo bay width | 1640mm |
| Cargo bay peak | 1436mm |
| Cargo bay quantity | 4.935m |
| Payload | 1072kg |
| Kerb weight | 2002kg |
| Gross Automobile Mass (GVM) | 3020kg |
| Towing capability | 2500kg (braked) |
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards its rivals? Use our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Not like the Hyundai Staria folks mover, there’s only one engine obtainable for the Staria Load.
Discover out extra
Discover out extra concerning the automobile
| Specs | Hyundai Staria Load |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Energy | 130kW @ 3800rpm |
| Torque | 430Nm @ 1500-2500rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 7.0L/100km |
| Gasoline financial system (as examined) | 6.9/100km |
| Gasoline tank dimension | 75L |
| Gasoline requirement | Diesel |
All three Staria Load variants share the identical 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is mated with an eight-speed automated transmission solely. Drive is distributed to solely the entrance wheels, in contrast to within the rear-drive HiAce.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards its rivals? Use our comparability software
How does the Hyundai Staria Load drive?
We are saying you shouldn’t anticipate an excessive amount of by way of consolation from a van, and the Staria Load is an efficient instance of why.
Unladen, the trip is extremely bouncy. Issues that wouldn’t trouble a typical automobile immediately really feel like small soar ramps, and also you’ll end up going out of your option to keep away from bumps and holes that would throw the van round.
That’s to not say it’ll change into unsettled over bigger bumps, however it will possibly usually be sufficient to catch you off guard. With a pair hundred kilograms value of cargo loaded into the again it’s a distinct story, however for those who’re usually driving an empty van it will possibly change into troublesome to dwell with.
Whereas we had related feedback concerning the Transit Customized, it’s nonetheless true that the HiAce can handle its trip so much higher even when the load house is empty.
The Hyundai is quieter than the Toyota, at the least in comparison with the bog-standard HiAce we drove with no inside choices chosen. Had they been comparably optioned, the noise battle might have turned out in another way.
The bounciness isn’t helped by its wheels both, as though they’re a reasonably normal dimension at 17-inches they really feel (and look) far too small for such a big van.
Bumping up the wheel dimension an inch or two would make it look higher, however would enhance tyre alternative prices, worsen the bumpy-road trip and likewise come on the expense of on-road noise – which already isn’t nice.
Nonetheless, it’s not all dangerous, and for those who come into the Staria Load with a tough concept of what to anticipate there’s not a lot that may take you unexpectedly.
When you’re previous the preliminary bumps and bounces, this Hyundai seems to be an satisfying van to drive. It feels significantly taller than its rivals, and that helps to offer the excessive driving place it advantages from.
There’s additionally nice visibility out entrance because of its sloped bonnet, and it’s a very good center floor between a typical passenger automobile and the vans of outdated during which the crumple zones have been your knees.
Visibility is sweet out the aspect home windows too, however that’s the place the restrictions begin. Because it’s a normal van with no aspect home windows, bodily blind-spot visibility is poor.
Hyundai makes up for it with the cameras fitted on both sides, which undertaking a dwell picture to the instrument cluster when the corresponding indicator is activated. We’ve seen such tech in different Hyundai and Kia merchandise earlier than, and whereas it appeared superfluous there, we really feel this can be a way more sensible utility.
For comparability, Ford’s answer to the blind-spot situation is to suit a fisheye mirror to every aspect mirror housing, whereas Toyota has nothing past digital monitoring.
Ford and Hyundai complement their blind-spot options with a monitoring system.
The efficiency of the Staria Load isn’t something ridiculous, however it has no bother getting in control in a rush.
Low-end torque is robust sufficient to get it out of most sticky conditions, and when there’s nothing within the again it may be fairly spritely and agile. Stunning given its dimensions, however it makes it even higher as a run-around in built-up areas.
The eight-speed automated transmission is well-behaved and virtually by no means caught within the mistaken gear, with easy shifts and a fast response its headlining traits.
Hyundai has made the driving expertise as straightforward as attainable from a dealing with perspective too, because the Staria Load boasts gentle steering and a decent turning circle to make up for its dimension.
For those who’re a business car purchaser who wants the Staria Load for transport and logistics, it’s good to have that manoeuvrability for the varied tight areas it’s possible you’ll end up in.
The Staria Load is fitted with adaptive cruise management with lane centring as normal, and it labored reliably in our week with the van. There wasn’t a bent to stray out of its lane, and steering inputs have been constant and easy.
Longer drives on the freeway have been made straightforward consequently, particularly for those who prevented altering lanes as a lot as attainable due to these blind-spot limitations.
Downsides embody its headlights, which we really feel may very well be a bit brighter. Its high-beams labored superb, however in unlit areas it’s not fairly as brilliant as we’re used to. You do get the advantage of the LED gentle bar throughout the entrance, which offers larger visibility for different street customers.
One other was the street noise, which was particularly dangerous on moist roads. Because it isn’t a passenger car, that isn’t a deal-breaker, and it’s manageable for those who’re superb with a bit of additional quantity.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards our rivals? Use our comparability software.
What do you get?
There are three grades of Staria Load, every with a handful of key options to set them aside.
2025 Hyundai Staria Load tools highlights:
- Selection of Liftback or Twin Swing rear doorways
- Halogen headlights
- 17-inch metal wheels
- Full-sized spare
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Fabric upholstery
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Wi-fi cellphone charging
- USB-C port
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
The Crew Van receives a centre console storage field, a three-seat second-row bench, second-row home windows and two extra USB-C ports.
Staria Premium (liftback solely) provides:
- LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- Computerized high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Keyless entry and begin
- Energy tailgate
- Bluelink related providers
- Distant management of local weather and car capabilities
- Automobile settings administration
- Dwell site visitors updates
- Navigation ship to automobile
- Voice recognition for POI lookup, car controls
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards its rivals? Use our comparability software
Is the Hyundai Staria Load protected?
The Hyundai Staria Load has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP, primarily based on testing of the associated folks mover performed in 2021.
| Class | Hyundai Staria |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | N/A |
| Susceptible street person safety | 65 per cent |
| Security help | 74 per cent |
Normal security tools contains:
- 7 airbags incl. front-centre
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian, bike owner detection
- Junction-turning help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Lane maintain help
- Lane Following Help (lane centring)
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Encompass-view digital camera (liftback solely)
- Main car departure alert
- Driver consideration warning
- Clever pace restrict help
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Secure exit warning
Whereas earlier Starias featured blind-spot help as normal, the 2025 mannequin has reverted to an alarm-only system.
The Staria Load Premium provides a blind-spot view monitor, in addition to the mannequin debut of Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity, which incorporates automated collision notification, emergency name (SOS) perform and alert providers together with geo-fencing, valet, pace and time alerts.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards its rivals? Use our comparability software
How a lot does the Hyundai Staria Load value to run?
The Hyundai Staria Load is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, with servicing required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Hyundai Staria Load |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 12 months free, then service-activated |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Lifetime Service Plan |
| Common annual service value (5 years) | $475 |
| Whole service value – 5 years | $2375 – Pre-Paid Servicing |
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards its rivals? Use our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai Staria Load Premium
For those who’re in want of a van, the Staria Load is one effectively value contemplating.
It is probably not as iconic as one thing like a HiAce or as trendy as the brand new Transit Customized, however for those who’re after sturdy cargo capability in a snug package deal, the Staria Load has lots to supply.
Its inside tech is nice, even with out wi-fi smartphone mirroring, and the cabin is well-enough appointed to maintain you with out going excessive.
The driving tech works reliably and by no means turns into intrusive both, which is greater than could be stated for a lot of different Hyundai and Kia merchandise.
Hyundai’s diesel engine is a powerful unit too, and when mated with a dependable gearbox it makes for an satisfying drive – even when it may be a bit bouncy with nothing within the again.
Trip high quality does go away a bit to be desired, and if it’s good to transport a couple of passenger you’re going to wrestle with the shortage of a center seat.
The choices fitted to our tester, together with the cargo barrier, are issues that must be included as normal, as a result of we really feel they’re van must-haves. Driving round with cargo sliding into the entrance cabin isn’t preferrred, and it’s a number of house to warmth in winter.
It additionally lacks the practicality of rear barn doorways, and for a top-spec mannequin it’d profit from one thing like powered sliding aspect doorways. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay would additionally complement that enormous infotainment show properly.
However as a van made to move cargo and be snug for lengthy hours on the street, the Staria Load obliges. It is probably not our first alternative, however as a rival to different well-established van nameplates it’s a worthy contender.
Occupied with shopping for a Hyundai Staria Load? Get in contact with considered one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
