Hyundai Iload vs Mahindra Pik-Up

What's the difference?

The current generation iLoad was launched in 2008. With only minor upgrades during its first decade on sale, it was recently given its first facelift with a new grille design plus new comfort and convenience features.

These updates don't change the fact that the iLoad is now stretching beyond the usual 10-year generational lifespan for LCV models, yet it continues to generate strong sales in a softening market.

It currently commands more than 23 per cent of the mid-size (2.5 to 3.5 tonne) commercial van segment, topped only by Toyota's dominant HiAce with a 33 per cent market share. The closest competitor behind the iLoad is Ford's Transit Custom with only 11 per cent.

We recently spent a week with the iLoad, to find out why this venerable Korean workhorse maintains its popularity in a mid-size van market packed with hungry competitors.

The current generation Mahindra PikUp has been with us since 2007, which is a long time given major players in this market tend to introduce a new generation every decade, or close to it.

However, with Mahindra reportedly developing an all-new ute, based on the underpinnings of its latest Scorpio SUV, the budget-priced PikUp is destined for retirement within a few years.

Better late than never, the latest MY23 version of the S11 dual-cab has for the first time been equipped with an automatic, which is sure to increase buyer appeal in a market in which self-shifting transmissions rule.

We recently revisited this Indian-built dual cab to see how it measures up for tradies in such a competitive market.