Safety, tech boost for Hyundai iLoad and iMax

EIGHT years into their model life-cyle, the Hyundai iLoad van and iMax people mover have received a significant safety and equipment upgrade including standard side thorax airbags and 7.0-inch touchscreens with smartphone-based voice activation across the range.

In addition to the side airbags and touchscreen, the Series II iLoad gains a standard reversing camera on liftback variants and standard cruise control on variants with a diesel engine and automatic transmission combination.

The iMax Series II gains all the above and adds front climate-control air-conditioning, electric folding exterior mirrors, premium-finished steering wheel and gear selector knob, redesigned 16-inch alloy wheels and enlarged front foglights.

The lift in standard gear has not had an impact on price, with Hyundai maintaining prices for all variants of the iLoad and iMax.

That means a kick off price of $31,990 plus on-road costs for the petrol manual three-seater liftback iLoad, before topping out at $43,540 for the six-seat auto diesel twin-swing, while the iMax stays between $39,990 and $46,490.

Both models feature subtle Series II styling updates, including deeper radiator grilles, redesigned bumpers, new tailgate trims and the radio antenna relocated to the rear of the vehicle.

Inside, the dashboard’s central stack has been updated to accommodate the touchscreen and new-look ventilation control panel. Series II variants are also identified by their blue switchgear illumination and new instrument panel design.

The iLoad also picks up a second 12-volt power outlet below the centre console previously exclusive to the iMax, complimenting the upgraded infotainment system’s multiple connectivity options including Bluetooth with audio streaming, USB and auxiliary audio inputs providing MP3 and iPod compatibility plus Siri Eyes Free voice control for Apple devices and Google Now voice activation for Android users.

Standard carry-over features for the iLoad include dual front airbags, electronic stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering column, electric front windows, a multi-function steering wheel, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery and dashboard 12-volt power outlet.

iLoads are available in three-seat or six-seat crew van configurations with liftback or twin-swing rear door arrangements. Three-seat liftbacks can be had with petrol-manual, disel-manal or diesel-automatic drivetrains, while twin-swing and crew van variants are diesel-only.

The eight-seat iMax is liftback-only, with petrol-automatic, diesel-manual or diesel-automatic drivetrain choices. Apart from the new features added as part of the Series II update, the people-mover also has standard rear parking sensors not fitted as standard to the iLoad plus second- and third-row manual air-conditioning controls and roof-mounted vents.

As before, the 2.4-litre petrol engine develops 127kW of power and 224Nm of torque, while diesel manuals produce 100kW and 343Nm. Diesel automatics get the full-fat 125kW and 441Nm outputs due to the addition of a higher-tech variable-geometry turbocharger.

Both iLoad and iMax are covered by Hyundai’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with recommended service intervals of 15,000km catered for under the brand’s lifetime servicing pricing scheme, with each visit up to 75,000km costing $289 for the petrol and $349 for the diesel – apart from the 60,000km service, which cost $399 and $499 respectively.

Last year both models were popular in their segments, with the iLoad securing 26.9 per cent of the 2.5-3.5 tonne van segment on 4597 sales (after only the Toyota HiAce, with 7351 sold) while the iMax held 16.9 per cent of the sub-$60,000 people-mover segment with 1939 registrations, outsold by the Honda Odyssey (2836 sales) and Kia Carnival (3638).

2016 Hyundai iLoad & iMax pricing*

iLoad
2.4 MPi Liftback Van	$31,990
2.5 CRDi Liftback Van	$37,990
2.5 CRDi Liftback Van (a)	$40,990
2.5 CRDi Twin Swing Van	$38,540
2.5 CRDi Twin Swing Van (a)	$41,540
2.5 CRDi Liftback Crew Van	$39,990
2.5 CRDi Liftback Crew Van (a)	$42,990
2.5 CRDi Twin Swing Crew Van	$40,540
2.5 CRDi Twin Swing Crew Van (a)	$43,540
iMax
2.4 MPi Liftback (a)	$39,990
2.5 CRDi Liftback	$43,490
2.5 CRDi Liftback (a)	$46,490

*Excludes on-road costs