Feisty hot hatch that is one of the best drives you'll find for $55k
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Kylie Minogue transformed from the girl next door doing the Locomotion to sultry pop and indie stardom.
This is the car which has achieved the same feat for Hyundai.
Evolving from cheap runabouts to mainstream vehicles of all shapes and sizes, a couple of years before the pandemic took hold a fire-breathing version of the humble i30 hatch delivered a new persona.
The i30N is unadulterated fun which has injected performance into the otherwise family-friendly portfolio. It's paved the way to N derivatives of the i20 and Ioniq electric car. Over the past five years the N products from Hyundai have developed a cult following. Not unlike the original Alfa Romeos and pre-China MGs.
Nicknamed Nthusiasts, there are planned track days at some of Australia's best circuits where owners gather to test the limits of their prized possessions.
Prices originally started below $40,000 when a manual transmission was the only option. Improvements have been made in recent years, along with the introduction of an auto box, while the cost has also escalated, with 2025 variants requiring $54,250 once on-roads are covered. It may sound steep, although close to a Subaru WRX, while it's a bargain compared to the Honda Civic Type R which is beyond $70k.
Our family sampled the i30N Premium with a self-shifter, which is just under $60,000 on the road.
What do you get?
Some of the upgrades for 2025 deliver a much-needed modern edge, including the 10.25-inch digital driver instruments which matches the central infotainment touchscreen size.
Other inclusions are dual zone aircon, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front bucket seats covered in leather and suede, satnav, three USB-C ports (two in the back) and shiny black finishes around the gear shifter
External updates include a redesigned grille with red-accented intake inserts and red features on the side skirts – which also match the brake calipers. Trainspotters will also note the matt grey colour option for the 19-inch alloys, along with Hyundai's flat-style badging in matt black.
Warranty coverage remains at five years and unlimited kilometres, even extending to untimed track days.
Prepaid servicing is solid value with an average price of $377 if taking the five-year package.
The 2025 Hyundai i30N starts from about $55,000 drive-away.
How was the drive?
From the moment you press the start button there is a sense of occasion.
The throaty exhaust note is testament that the body kit and big brakes hidden behind the alloys shod with low-profile rubber are more than just for good looks.
Straight line speed is quick at 5.3 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint. Although that figure is no longer regarded fast up against a raft of performance EVs which hover around three seconds for the same task.
But it's the sum of the i30N's parts which tell the story. Balance and confidence work hand-in-glove with twisty terrain best showcasing its ability. Fun is delivered in spades.
Pirelli P-Zero rubber bites into the bitumen for rail-like prowess in the bends.
Steering wheel N buttons offer changes in personality, with custom modes allowing for bespoke changes in suspension, stability control, exhaust sound and transmission settings (auto). There is also a 'N Grin Shift' button which delivers a 20 second boost to maximum power and torque.
Fuel consumption varies depending on how much you enjoy that acceleration soundtrack. Our test saw the i30N drink more than 10 litres of premium unleaded for every 100km.
Fun is delivered in spades when it comes to the Hyundai i30N.
Would you buy one?
Kel: Great looks and an even better sound, the i30N is a great blend of performance and practicality. Using comfort mode the ride wasn't too firm and the external styling isn't outrageous. Although being a mature mother and not one to push the performance envelope, it's probably not where I'd spend my $60k.
Grant: While I may be even more mature (in age), I remember test driving editions of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru WRX. The i30N delivers that level of excitement which seems long forgotten. For those who love to drive, this is outstanding value for money. Love the exhaust note. Love the acceleration. Love the theatre. It's love and lust.
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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:
Courier-Mail
17 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Darwin Triple Crown Supercars: Opening race brought to halt after 15 seconds by monster crash
Don't miss out on the headlines from Supercars. Followed categories will be added to My News. A monster crash brought the opening race of the Darwin Triple Crown to a halt less than 15 seconds into a chaotic beginning of racing action. The usual tussle for spots out of Turn 1 led to tyre contact that sent Brad Jones Racing's Jaxon Evans flying into the barriers. A safety car was called as the number 12 Camaro, carrying a lot of speed, crashed into the barriers and was forced out of action with massive damage to the front. Then further up the track, Maculey Jones in his Pizza Hut entry was rear ended, spinning him a full 180 off the track into the grass. The race restart was equally as chaotic with Erebus' Jack Le Brocq losing a wheel following contact with Rylan Wood. A confrontation took place between the pair as they hopped out of their vehicles with Le Broq giving Wood, who had showed so much promise in practice, an ear full Richie Stanaway was also in the pits after a huge log jam forced another safety car out of the restart. Wood has made his feelings known on the official's decision to restart where they had causing mass chaos and ending his chances in the first race of the Darwin Triple Crown early. The safety car was in place after Jaxon Evans crashed into a guard rail out of Turn 1, but the ensuing restart caused a multi car crash down the straight. Kai Allen driver of the #26 Penrite Racing Ford Mustang GT during the Darwin Triple Crown. Picture:Wood's engine failed and his car slowed causing a mass log jam in the back end of the field with Jack Le Brocq's tyre bounding away from his vehicle. He said it 'was just one of those things' but made a dig at the decision to restart where they had rather than the final turn. 'We changed our safety car restart to go out on the last corner, but we still didn't go out on the last corner,' he said. 'So, if we keep doing the same sh-t on restarts the same stuff is going to happen.' Meanwhile, Evans said he was alright following the opening lap crash, which he felt he had been escorted into. 'Yeah I'm all good, bit of a sore foot but otherwise I'm all good,' he said. 'Didn't quite execute in qualifying and paid the price racing down the back. 'Felt like I got escorted there at the exit of Turn 1, interlocked wheels and sent me to the fence. 'The car is pretty heavily damaged and unfortunately won't be racing this afternoon.' FEENEY'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH HIDDEN VALLEY ROLLS ON Broc Feeney held off a determined chasing Cam Waters to take out his third top place finish from the past four races at Hidden Valley. A chaotic race start and a persistent clutch issue didn't put any brakes on the Feeney train as he held onto the top spot. Feeney said his clutch was going all the way to the floor and though he managed to wrangle it the issue did a number on his rear tyres. 'Super hard there, shame at the start (after the crashes),' Feeney said. 'Doing the speeds we were doing, the safety car couldn't pull away so I couldn't go to the straight and unfortunately crashes happen. 'I had a clutch issue for most of that race, it was super stressful didn't know how I was going to go.' ' I was hanging on for dear life, doing qualifying laps, looking forward to the ice bath post race.' Territorian Bryce Fullwood impressed in his home town return driving himself into fourth, his best result at Hidden Valley and a show of improving pace at BJR. Matt Payne secured himself another podium finish, and Chaz Mostert made up ground after poor qualifying, but Waters was the threat for Feeney from behind. Waters overtook Fullwood to deny him his shot at a first home podium and caught Payne as he put the pressure on to regain second. Originally published as Darwin Triple Crown Supercars: Opening race brought to halt after 15 seconds by monster crash
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Courier-Mail
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Will Brown left Erebus at the end of 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke Brodie Kostecki was another high-profile departure. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. Cooper Murray was 11th in the second practice session in Darwin. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown. This story was written by Speedcafe Originally published as Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
