Hyundai’s industrial hauler has polarising appears, however its practicality is difficult to debate.
The Staria Load, like its associated folks mover namesake, the Staria, is a neat package deal from one in all 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 happy. A cushty inside, high quality infotainment, and agile steering are only a few issues to get you ; the remaining you’ll study by means of a while behind the wheel.
Hyundai provides a big catalogue of real equipment too, which permits patrons to package out their Staria Load with all the things they should enhance the bottom package deal in their very own particular method.
All of it is available in at a aggressive value too, matching the comparable Toyota HiAce and undercutting the brand new Ford Transit Customized.
WATCH: Paul’s video overview of the Hyundai Staria Highlander
In 2023, the industrial Staria outsold the folks mover variant at 2497 to 1141, 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 remaining. Rivals just like the HiAce (7133), LDV G10 (3638), and Transit Customized (2843) all outsold the Staria Load in 2023, because it ranked forward of solely dearer and obscure vans from European manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, and Renault.
Are you higher off sticking with the gang, or is the spaceship-style Staria Load the one try to be going for as a substitute?
How does the Hyundai Staria examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Hyundai Staria towards equally sized autos.
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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.
It’s dearer than even the five-seat crew van, regardless of lacking out on facet home windows and people further seats. That value is earlier than you begin including the additional Hyundai equipment fitted to our tester, which embrace a cargo barrier ($916.75), a heavy-duty rubber cargo flooring mat ($762.75), and all-weather flooring mats ($238.17).
Ours can be painted in Moonlight Blue, which like the opposite premium colors brings an extra value of $695. Which means in order for you a Staria Load just like the one you see right here, count on so as to add practically $3000 to the listing value – and that’s earlier than you take into account on-road prices.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards our rivals? Use our comparability instrument.
MORE: 2025 Hyundai Staria Load value and specs
What’s the Hyundai Staria Load like on the within?
Whereas we’d cease in need of calling it luxurious, there’s loads to love in regards to the Staria Load’s cabin.
The factor value remembering with the Staria Load is that it’s a industrial automobile, and as such it’d be unreasonable to count on limousine-like consolation ranges earlier than getting behind the wheel.
Being the Premium grade, you do get some additional 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 method.
Such parts are evident within the supplies used, that are all laborious to the contact and utilitarian in look. The one soft-touch gadgets you get are the massive gear selector and steering wheel, the latter of which we’ve seen in different massive Hyundai fashions just like the Palisade.
I’m not the largest fan of this steering wheel, however it does really feel extra at residence right here than it does in one thing just like the Palisade. It’s wrapped in clean, 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 comfy cloth-trimmed seat you get a commanding view of all the things round you, although it does lack armrests that will make the Staria Load that little bit extra cruisy.
It additionally lacks three-person seating up entrance, although which means you’re capable of 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 standard, 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 method for a hidden storage cubby.
All of it works as supposed, however it’s possible you’ll have to take an additional second to get your self adjusted accordingly should you’re a shorter particular person. That typically received’t be a difficulty although, and it’s well worth the compromise for the additional cupboard space 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 high of the dashboard for varied odds and ends, in addition to a extra standard 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 gadgets, and a cut-out for telephone storage is discovered simply above that. A wi-fi charging pad is situated in a bigger slot beneath 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 high of the sprint on the driving force’s facet, which appears precariously near the digital instrument show. Passengers could make use of the hidden cupholder on the centre console, which folds out once 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 facet 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; all the things as a substitute will get straight to the purpose.
Essentially the most sophisticated 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 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 must hook up your telephone by way of cable as a substitute.
Doing so is achieved by way of the USB-A port subsequent to the gear selector, and there’s that handy slot beneath in your telephone to sit down whereas plugged in.
The local weather management panel is clearly legible because of its massive icons, and its centre show helps to indicate what’s occurring. There are shortcuts above for the varied infotainment capabilities, and all the things might be managed by way of the buttons on the steering wheel.
These steering wheel buttons all operate because the ought to and labored reliably in our week with the van. They’re additionally the place to regulate issues regarding look too, must you wish to mess with the way in which the instrument cluster appears.
The gloss-black button materials is a gripe, however it provides a extra premium look together with the textured stalks behind.
It’s all clear and fashionable – 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 might be toggled utilizing the discreet button under the local weather management interface.
There are three modes and appearances to cycle by means of, however you may lock it in a selected theme should you want one over the others.
Time to speak cargo. It’s a van, and the house you get within the again is basically as you’d count on.
Our tester was fitted with the non-compulsory rubber flooring and cargo barrier, although we really feel such gadgets needs to be included as commonplace.
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 commonplace does.
The cargo barrier, which solely works to maintain cargo from sliding by means of, is sweet to have even when it received’t hold the cabin’s local weather remoted.
Having the non-compulsory strong barrier (and even the non-compulsory partition display screen) can 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 6.2m3. Even so, it doesn’t really feel compromised by any means.
Hyundai matches a sliding door on both sides as commonplace (not like Ford does with the Transit Customized), although being the Premium grade it misses out on a rear barn door choice, one thing included on each the Toyota and Ford rivals.
You get the good thing about 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 battle to load from the rear with a forklift, and also you additionally received’t have the ability to open it should you reverse even remotely intently as much as a wall.
The Staria Load makes up for it with sliding facet doorways, although their openings aren’t terribly vast.
On the within you get eight tie-down factors in comparison with the HiAce’s six, however just one mild positioned on the roof above the tailgate. That makes it troublesome to see should you’re utilizing the facet doorways at night time.
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 mild to its HiAce.
The rear home windows are protected by thick wire bars, and all the things 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 non-compulsory flooring contributed to the unusual odor we have been greeted with when stepping inside.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards our rivals? Use our comparability instrument.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
In contrast to the Hyundai Staria folks mover, there’s only one engine accessible for the Staria Load.
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, not like within the rear-drive HiAce.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards our rivals? Use our comparability instrument.
How does the Hyundai Staria Load drive?
We are saying you shouldn’t count on an excessive amount of when it comes to consolation from a van, and the Staria Load is an efficient instance of why.
Unladen, the experience is extremely bouncy. Issues that wouldn’t hassle a typical automobile abruptly really feel like small soar ramps, and also you’ll end up going out of your solution to keep away from bumps and holes that might throw the van round.
That’s to not say it’ll change into unsettled over bigger bumps, however it could typically 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 should you’re typically driving an empty van it could change into troublesome to stay with.
Whereas we had comparable feedback in regards to the Transit Customized, it’s nonetheless true that the HiAce can handle its experience loads higher even when the load house is empty.
The Hyundai is quieter than the Toyota, a minimum of in comparison with the bog-standard HiAce we not too long ago drove with no inside choices chosen. Had they been comparably optioned, the noise battle could have turned out in a different way.
The bounciness isn’t helped by its wheels both, as though they’re a reasonably commonplace 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 substitute prices, worsen the bumpy-road experience and likewise come on the expense of on-road noise – which already isn’t nice.
Nonetheless, it’s not all dangerous, and should you come into the Staria Load with a tough thought 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 pleasurable van to drive. It feels significantly taller than its rivals, and that helps to supply the excessive driving place it advantages from.
There’s additionally nice visibility out entrance because of its sloped bonnet, and it’s an excellent center floor between a typical passenger automobile and the vans of outdated through which the crumple zones have been your knees.
Visibility is nice out the facet home windows too, however that’s the place the restrictions begin. Because it’s an ordinary van with no facet home windows, bodily blind-spot visibility is poor.
Hyundai makes up for it with the cameras fitted on both sides, which undertaking a stay 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 rather more sensible software.
For comparability, Ford’s resolution to the blind-spot concern is to suit a fisheye mirror to every facet 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 up to the mark 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. Shocking 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 nearly by no means caught within the fallacious gear, with clean shifts and a fast response its headlining traits.
Hyundai has made the driving expertise as simple as attainable from a dealing with perspective too, because the Staria Load boasts mild steering and a decent turning circle to make up for its dimension.
In the event you’re a industrial automobile 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 commonplace, and it labored reliably in our week with the van. There wasn’t an inclination to stray out of its lane, and steering inputs have been constant and clean.
Longer drives on the freeway have been made simple because of this, particularly should you averted altering lanes as a lot as attainable due to these blind-spot limitations.
Downsides embrace its headlights, which we really feel might be a bit brighter. Its high-beams labored fantastic, however in unlit areas it’s not fairly as brilliant as we’re used to. You do get the good thing about the LED mild bar throughout the entrance, which supplies better visibility for different street customers.
One other was the street noise, which was particularly dangerous on moist roads. Because it isn’t a passenger automobile, that isn’t a deal-breaker, and it’s manageable should you’re fantastic with a bit of additional quantity.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards our rivals? Use our comparability instrument.
What do you get?
There are three grades of Staria Load, every with a handful of key options to set them aside.
Staria Load commonplace tools:
Selection of Liftback or Twin Swing rear doorsHalogen headlights17-inch metal wheelsFull-sized spareHeated, power-folding exterior mirrorsCloth upholstery8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlayWireless telephone chargingUSB-C portLeather-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 headlightsLED tail lightsAutomatic high-beamRain-sensing wipers17-inch alloy wheels10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment systemSatellite navigationWired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay10.25-inch digital instrument clusterBlind-Spot View MonitorKeyless entry and startPower tailgateBluelink related servicesRemote management of local weather and automobile functionsVehicle settings managementLive site visitors updatesNavigation ship to carVoice recognition for POI lookup, automobile controls
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.
Commonplace security tools consists of:
7 airbags incl. front-centreAutonomous emergency brakingPedestrian, bike owner detectionJunction-turning assistBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic assistLane hold assistLane Following Help (lane centring)Adaptive cruise management with cease/goSurround-view digital camera (liftback solely)Main automobile departure alertDriver consideration warningIntelligent velocity restrict assistFront and rear parking sensorsSafe exit warning
Whereas earlier Starias featured blind-spot help as commonplace, 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) operate and alert companies together with geo-fencing, valet, velocity and time alerts.
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.
to see how the Hyundai Staria Load stacks up towards our rivals? Use our comparability instrument.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai Staria Load Premium
In the event you’re in want of a van, the Staria Load is one value contemplating.
It is probably not as iconic as one thing like a HiAce or as trendy as the brand new Transit Customized, however should you’re after sturdy cargo capability in a snug package deal, the Staria Load has a lot 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 might be mentioned 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 pleasurable drive – even when it may be a bit bouncy with nothing within the again.
Experience high quality does go away a bit to be desired, and if it’s good to transport multiple passenger you’re going to battle with the shortage of a center seat.
The choices fitted to our tester, together with the cargo barrier, are issues that needs to be included as commonplace, as a result of we really feel they’re van must-haves. Driving round with cargo sliding into the entrance cabin isn’t excellent, 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 facet doorways. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay would additionally complement that giant infotainment show properly.
However as a van made to move cargo and be comfy for lengthy hours on the street, the Staria Load does effectively. It is probably not our first selection, however as a rival to different well-established van nameplates it’s a worthy contender.
Enthusiastic about shopping for a Hyundai Staria Load? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here.
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