Production Models

Hyundai slotted in another premium MPV between the Stargazer and the Staria. This Car Review takes a look at what the Custin offers to those looking for an MPV in an already very crowded market.

Hyundai carved itself a niche in the local market back in the 90s with the Starex, a spacious and comfortable vehicle for the family.

The Starex offered many conveniences and premium features not seen in the popular vans and family vehicles during those days.

Along the way, the Starex helped Hyundai and other Korean-brand vehicles establish a reputation for reliability and build quality.

Today Hyundai continues to roll out MPVs, crossovers, and SUVs with the same basic strategy of offering premium conveniences and features that set new benchmarks in respective segments.

Among the most recent models that Hyundai introduced to the local market is the Custin.

In size, the Hyundai Custin slots somewhere in between the brand are two other MPVs, the Stargazer and the Staria.

It is 4,950 millimeters long, 1,850mm wide, and 1,710mm tall, and clears the ground by 174mm.

But in terms of price and posh-ness the Custin cuts above both the Starex and the Staria.

While Hyundai went with bold and edgy-or futuristic-for the Starex and Staria design, it went for bold and elegant for the Custin.

The Hyundai Custin arrived in two trim levels, the 1.5 T-GDI Premium and the 1.5T-GDI GLS.

Both feature the eye-catching Glossy Black Parametric Grille, LED Multi-Faceted Reflector Headlamps, Daytime Running Lights, Position Lamps and Rear Combination Lamps, body color outside door handles with chrome garnish as well as Rear Spoiler with High-Mount Stop Lamp.

The body colored side view mirrors are heated, power adjust and fold and integrated with turn lights.

The Custin Premium has Chromed Belt Line Moulding, as opposed to Black in the GLS.

Also distinguishing the Premium variant are the Dual Sunroof and Tailgate.

The sunroof is fixed in the rear, but the front sunroof can be tilted and slid open electronically.

Both sliding doors on the Premium are powered, making it very convenient for passengers to get into or out off the Custin.

Only the left sliding door on the GLS is powered, still convenient for ingress and egress.

The Premium rides on18-inch Alloy Wheels and 55 series tires while the GLS comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and 60 series tires.

Riding in the spacious and luxuriously appointed cabin of the Custin can be a relaxing experience.

Lots of leather and soft surfaces create an atmosphere of posh-ness, while the Full Digital Instrument Cluster with 4.2-inch LCD, plus the 10.4-inch Display for Multi-Function Infotainment System dominating the center of the dash lend more than a touch of modernity.

On the Custin Premium, both driver and front passenger seats slide and recline electronically. Only manual adjust for both in the GLS.

Perhaps the best feature of the Custin Premium cabin is the twin Premium Relaxation Seats on the second row.

The seats electronically slide and recline, are ventilated and heated, feature leg rests or ottomans, and even have memory functions.

Passengers can configure the seat to preferred seat positions for long or short drives and set them to memory.

The GLS comes with your regular but nonetheless comfortable captain's chairs.

On both variants the third row features a bench type seat that can accommodate three adults comfortably.

Standard convenience features include Smart Key entry and push start button, power doorlocks, power windows, overhead console lamp, room lamp, day & night rear view mirror, sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors, automatic airconditioning system with auto controls up front and manual in the rear.

The Premium variant lives up to its name with the added Foldable Backseat Tables and Table Stand, the rear curtain, two wireless chargers for smartphones.

Driving the Custin is easy. The leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel can be tilted to preferred driving position.

Motor-Driven Power Steering adds to the ease of driving the Custin.

It may take a bit of getting used to, but the Push Button Shift Console in the Custin also adds to convenience.

The Custin rolled out on local shores is powered by the 1.5 L T-GDI gasoline engines that maxes out at 170 horsepower and 253 Newton-meters of torque.

This is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with four selectable drive modes - Smart, Comfort, Eco, and Sport.

The suspension system features front McPherson Struts and Coupled Torsion Beam Axle in the Rear tuned to make rides very comfortable and quiet.

The Custin brake system uses 16-inch discs on all four wheels.

The Custin 1.5 T-GDI Premium arrived with Smartsense, what Hyundai calls its suite of advanced driver assistance system, to make driving and riding in the luxurious MPV all the more safer, easier and more convenient on urban streets, open highways, as well as parking.

Aside from cruise control, Smartsense includes Manual Speed Limit Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, Surround View Monitor.

The Custin 1.5 T-GDI GLS is only equipped with cruise control, Parking Distance Warning, and Rear View Monitor.

Standard for safety on both Custin variants are Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Lock Braking System, Hill Start Assist Control, Electric Parking Brake with Autohold, Dual Front Airbags, Side and Curtain Airbags, Child Anchors, Manual Child Lock System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Immobilizer.

The Hyundai Custin 1.5 T-GDI Premium is listed at 2.08 million pesos while the Custin 1.5 T-GDI GLS is 1.77 million pesos.

Will or can the Custin help Hyundai cut a bigger slice of local MPV market? Hyundai appears confident it will.