The Hyundai Cargo range hopes to attract the light commercial vehicle customers that would have bought the (now discontinued) Nissan NP200. We had a preview of what’s on offer.
It’s unusual for a carmaker to reference a rival brand’s model during a product presentation, but recently, Hyundai had no hesitation in mentioning the Nissan NP200, of which local production ended in March 2024, repeatedly. In 16 years on the market, that little bakkie survived all its peers and its departure has left a significant vacuum in the commercial space; many car brands are trying to cater for that market.
Other vehicles that play in this segment are a veritable melange of dedicated commercial vehicles, such as the Suzuki Eeco, as well as converted passenger cars such as the Renault Triber– and Kiger Express. The latter group now also includes the Grand i10 1.0 Premium Cargo and Venue 1.2 Premium Cargo.
The conversion process from (hatchback to LCV) is straightforward. It involves removing the rear bench, and fitting a solid floor and sections of cargo netting, to protect the driver, front passenger and cargo.
For the record, the Hyundai Grand i10 and Venue Cargo variants have been homologated as official light commercial vehicles by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which means that owners can claim VAT back after buying one of these variants. All the conversions are done at a fitment centre in KwaZulu-Natal and Hyundai Automotive SA’s commercial SKD plant in Benoni on the East Rand.
As far as engines go, the Grand i10 Cargo uses the same 48 kW/94 Nm 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol motor as its siblings. The variant’s front wheels are driven via a 5-speed manual ‘box.
The Venue Cargo has a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine with peak outputs of 61 kW and 115 Nm. It too has a 5-speed manual gearbox and is front-wheel driven. Both vehicles are claimed to be light on fuel, with claimed figures of 5.5 L/100 km (Grand i10) and 6.5 L/100 km (Venue) respectively.
The Grand i10 Cargo has been on sale since 2019, while the Venue Cargo recently joined the Korean brand’s local line-up. Considering that the former is a business vehicle, Hyundai SA representatives emphasised that its estimated running costs were lower than those of the outgoing Nissan NP200.
Intended roles of the Hyundai Cargo variants
Hyundai SA exhibited both vehicles at the launch so that we could appreciate the effectiveness of the conversions and the variants’ cargo-carrying capacity. Hyundai claims its newcomers could suit small businesses (such as delivery and courier firms), and serve as response vehicles for security companies.
Companies that have mobile support technicians, such as Tracker and Netstar, have already ordered a few units, as have Fidelity Services and ADT. Netcare uses Cargo variants to transport medical samples.
Both vehicles retain their siblings’ standard specification and this includes comfort features such as aircon, electric front windows, remote central locking, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment systems, USB charging ports (for smartphones etc), as well as a reverse-view camera.
How much does the Hyundai Cargo range cost?
| Grand i10 1.0 Premium Cargo (manual) | R249 500 |
| Venue 1.2 Premium Cargo (manual) | R321 500 |
A Grand i10 1.0 Premium Cargo with an automatic transmission will be added to the range towards the end of this year at a retail price of R289 900.
The above prices include VAT, as well as a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and roadside assistance valid for 7 years or 150 000 km. The Grand i10 Cargo comes with a 1-year/15 000 km service plan, while the Venue Cargo has a 3-year/45 000 km service plan.
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