Buying a used… Hyundai iLoad (2009)

Launched in 2009, the iLoad was facelifted in 2018.

Hyundai made some slight tweaks to its diesel engines for the UK in 2012, which also brought a new six-speed manual gearbox in place of the old five-speed unit, but essentially, little had changed. So, looking pre-2018 can bag you a bargain. Hyundai’s earlier LCV entrant, the H100, was a midi-class monobox design along the lines of the Mitsubishi L300 and Isuzu/Bedford Midi, and like them was about as popular as wooden trousers, but the iLoad incorporated all that was learned from that.  

For those who look beyond, or simply could not care less about, a touchscreen, DAB, Bluetooth infotainment hub, the iLoad offers more of what most tradespeople look for in a van: productivity. Its payload is 1,062kg, which is right on the money for this class and beats one or two big-name rivals. It boasts a load bay length of 2,375mm, a maximum width of 1,620mm, and overall height of 1,350mm.

This offers enough space to comfortably accommodate two standard pallets, although, of course, they cannot both be a tonne. The overall load volume is 4.3m³. It gets twin side loading doors as standard, and a full-size glazed steel bulkhead.

A traditional rear-wheel drive layout may seem dated when the sub-3.5t sector has embraced the low load-floor advantages of front-drive, but many operators – particularly those in the building trade – prefer the traction benefits of rear-drive when fully laden. It also offers a tighter turning circle than most front-driven models can offer, due to higher steering lock angles.

Kit levels are fine but hardly cutting-edge. There’s aircon, electric windows and mirrors, central locking, and a decent radio with aux-in. The driving position is very good – the steering column and driver’s seat are both height-adjustable – with plenty of cab oddment stowage space. Ride comfort is good too, no doubt a carry-over from the iLoad’s basis as a people-carrier.

Power – moderate though it may be – comes from a 2.5-litre turbodiesel that produces 116hp. That is not great compared to some current rivals but the 343Nm of torque, available from just 1,750rpm, is of much more significance in real life. Even better than that, the iLoad is backed by Hyundai’s five-year warranty, which covers the vehicle against mechanical defects for up to 100,000 miles. The only downside here is the lack of dedicated LCV dealers and service centres, but at the iLoad’s sales volumes it’s not surprising, even if there is a chicken-and-egg argument for that.

If our experience is anything to go by, the lack of dedicated LCV workshops might not be an issue. Typical Korean-maker reliability seems to be well ingrained in the iLoad. Older models can have some paint and trim defects, with door mechanisms suffering from hard use (abuse?), while the older five-speed gearboxes get first-second synchromesh wear, particularly from drivers with fists of ham. Make sure the service history is good to support that long warranty.

Five best options

1) 6-speed transmission
2) Comfort trim
3) Low mileage
4) Dealer-fit accessories
5) Dealer editions

Five best avoided

1) 5-speed transmission
2) SE trim
3) High-milers
4) Aftermarket accessories
5) Towbar

Second-hand buys