Hyundai Staria Load HEV 2026 Review

The 2026 Hyundai Staria Load commercial van has been given its second refresh since arriving in 2021. While the 2024 upgrades were minor, this time Hyundai has given the boxy Staria some more significant changes – most notably, a new hybrid powertrain.

Across the lineup, Hyundai has introduced a revised front bumper, headlights, and grille, while the dash and infotainment have also been overhauled. Meanwhile, Smart Key and Bluelink systems have also been improved.

While the 2026 Hyundai Staria Load diesel opens at $49,990 (plus on-road costs), the Staria Load HEV is $53,490 for the base model or $61,240 (plus ORCs) for the Premium.

Optional exterior colours across all models cost $750.

You can read full details on new model-year 2027 changes to Staria here, but the key difference is the new hybrid models.

The HEV brings combined 180kW/366Nm outputs from a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol-electric powertrain driving the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The 200kW/331Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol and 130kW/430Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel continue, although all models are now front drive (buyers didn’t see having AWD as a priority feature, according to Hyundai).

While the diesel and petrol models continue with a maximum 2500kg (braked) towing capacity, the new hybrid models are not rated for towing. Staria Load payload is up to 1039kg for the hybrid (997kg for the diesel model).

All Staria Load variants have been treated to Hyundai’s latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system, keyless entry and start, and a new steering wheel design.

It is expected that the existing 2021 five-star ANCAP rating will be applied to the upgraded models, with the current safety rating due to expire at the end of next year (2027).

The HEV high-voltage battery has an eight year/160,000km warranty. The Staria Load has a five-year/160,000km warranty (whichever occurs first).

Capped price servicing totals $2439 over five years for the Staria Load HEV, with 12-month/10,000km service intervals. This is cheaper than the diesel ($2659) and petrol ($2450) Staria Load alternatives but note that both these powertrains have a longer 15,000km (or annual) service intervals.

The inherent goodness of the high seat, deep glass Staria design hasn’t changed; it’s easy to get in and out of for a van, and you have a great view around the van with the low beltline and large side mirrors. The low loading lip at the rear also makes for easy access to cargo.

While minor improvements have been made to front suspension bushings across the range (and the Staria MPV rear bushes), the difference over the old models wasn’t all that noticeable on the relatively short test loops. What is clear is that the Staria Load ride relatively well, with good body control and reasonable sharp bump absorption.

The big news is of course the hybrid powertrain, and here, Hyundai appears to have done a pretty good job of tying efficiency and drivability into the package. The way the system shuttles between electric and petrol running is smooth.

Like many hybrids, engine noise can seem intrusive when you need maximum acceleration, but it is otherwise a relatively quiet and unobtrusive operation. There’s no doubt that the hybrid powertrain is much more responsive than the pre-update diesels we’ve driven recently.

While outer urban and city driving saw the average consumption reach a low figure of mid 4L/100km, it settled in bang on the average claim of 6.5L/100km over our drive loop. We need more time road testing to nail down a more trustworthy fuel figure (especially for highway use), but this initial urban test for real-world use is promising.

While the diesel’s claimed average is only 0.5L more than the hybrid, in real-world use (especially urban driving) previous experience with the diesel saw it chewing through around 10.0L/100km.

With the Staria Load on test holding a 350kg payload, it of course rode better than it might unladen. This is likely a representative average load for most commercial operators anyway. The slightly higher payload offered with the hybrid Staria Load is a good thing.

The addition of physical knobs and buttons below the infotainment screen on both vans is a welcome addition, making driver distraction much less of an issue than the touch screen selections previously. While we didn’t ‘test’ the new upper dash inset storage arrangement, it looks like a very practical addition.

The front wheels can struggle to get traction, even on dry surfaces, from a standing start under full throttle, although in this instance it was an undulating start point from which we had to join a 90km/h zone.

In other words, the van was moving side to side as it was taking off, upsetting balance slightly.

The speed alert system is slightly less annoying than before, with the alert chime volume seemingly lower, but it still chimes with annoying regularity. Either the system registers that you’re a few km/h over the posted limit (although with speedo error, you’re actually doing the speed limit, no more), or the speed sign recognition has picked up the wrong limit or hasn’t picked up the (higher) current limit.

This can be switched off using a steering wheel shortcut button to get to the infotainment screen required to then shut it up. It’s still clunky; some other brands do this better.

The slightly smaller fuel tank capacity (65 litres for hybrid versus 75 litres for diesel and V6 petrol) is a shame as is the fact the hybrid cannot tow a trailer.

The new 2026 Hyundai Staria Load hybrid model offers improved efficiency but also a quieter, mostly smoother and more responsive powertrain.

The benefit of the hybrid’s lower emissions, whether it’s because you like the idea of reducing global emissions or simply not having to breathe in as many fumes in a contained driving environment, is also a positive thing.

What appears at first blush to be a worthwhile reduction in urban fuel consumption is also very attractive in the current environment and could mean a worthwhile reduction to running costs (although the minimum $3500 extra to step into hybrid must be factored in).

While the simple addition of physical buttons for infotainment and the generally comprehensive safety inclusions are positive, the speed warning system chime set-up really needs a re-think.

2026 Hyundai Staria Load at a glance:
Price: $53,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 132kW/265Nm (electric motor: 54kW/304Nm)
Combined output: 180kW/366Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 147g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested