Production Models

Hyundai made a name for itself as well as for other automakers from South Korea with the Starex back in the day when Filipinos didn't yet trust vehicles made from that part of the world.

Back then the Starex, even second hand ones, became popular mainly from word of mouth from buyers who found the people mover an affordable, reliable, and very comfortable MPV or van for the family.

Today people no longer think twice about buying a Korean-brand car and design, performance, modern functionality come into play more than price when it comes to choice of model or variant from sedans to SUVs/Crossovers, and MPVs or vans.

In the premium MPV or van segment, Hyundai now offers the Staria which replaces the Starex in the local market.

The Staria comes in five variants from the entry-level Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi 6MT priced at 1.56 million pesos to the top-of-line seven-seater 2.2 CRDi Premium+ 8AT AWD 7-Seater priced at 3.03 million pesos.

The CRDi Premium+ 8AT AWD 7-Seater stands out in among MPVs and family vans because of its very modern and futuristic design, from the front to the side and the rear.

The fascia is quite distinct with a huge grille flanked by LED matrix headlights contrasted by the thin LED DRL light strip running across the whole width of the front.

The silhouette is also quite distinct with the smooth slope upfront and the near right angled chop at the back.

Quite distinctive is the huge expanse of tinted glass running all the way from the front to the rear.

The look is also quite modern from the back with the LED combination lamps lining the corner.

The top-of-line Staria features Dual LED headlamps with Low and High Projection and Autolight Control function, and rear LED fog lamps.

The large side mirrors can power adjust and fold and feature integrated repeater lamps.

It can also be distinguished from its siblings by Glossy Black front grille with copper accents, 18-inch Alloy Wheels, Rear Spoiler with High Moutn Stop Lamp, Chrome Outide Door handles, and the expansive powered sunroof.

The huge sliding doors on the side are powered. So is the tailgate.

The Staria takes up a large space on the road, 5.253mm long, 1,970 mm wide and 1,990mm tall, with a 3,273 mm-long wheelbase and a minimum ground clearance of 186mm.

This translates into a very large and roomy cabin, especially for the top of line seven seater with four captain's chairs for the driver and front and second row passengers. The third row features a bench seat for three.

Upholstered in premium Nappa leather, the seats are well-bolstered and cushioned.

The captain's chairs in the second row are particularly comfortable. Hyundai calls them premium relaxation seats and they slide and recline electronically, are ventilated, and feature ottomans or folding leg rests.

The driver and front passenger also get power-adjusting seats with the driver also benefitting from lumbar support.

The top-end Staria cabin is well appointed with fit and finish that can only be described as refined and premium.

There's a 10.25-inch TFT LCD display for the intrument cluster sitting up the dash in front of the driver.

On the center of the dash sits the 8-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system that comes with AM/FM radio, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition and on the top of line Staria a Bose Surround sound Speaker system.

There's wireless charging tray for mobile phones as well as USB charges on the front tray, the center console and in the luggage side area.

Other comfort and convenience features include Smart Key Entry with Push Button Start, Overhead Console LED Lamp, Mood Lamp, Electrochromic Rear View Mirror, Sunvisors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Central Doorlocking and Automatic Airconditioning System.

For a large MPV or van, the Staria is easy to drive or operate. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes and features buttons for the audio as well as Smart Cruise Control.

The driver gets a great view of the road up front and to the side with the expansive windshield and side windows.

A surround view monitor helps with maneuvering in crowd or narrow streets. This is helped along by a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

Parking is helped along by Parking Distance Warning

The Staria is powered by 2.2-liter or 2,199 cc CRDi VGT engine that generates 177 horsepower and 430 Newton-meters of torque.

This is mated to an 8-speed Automatic Transmission with an All Wheel Drive system.

Driver has the option to choose drive modes-Eco, Normal, Smart and Sport. Paddle Shifters behind the steering help driver get some control over gear shifts.

The vanguard Staria doesn't come with a gear lever. Driver can control gear shifts via buttons on the center console.

It's something that adds to convenience but also takes a bit of getting used to.

The Staria is a comfortable MPV or people mover with a suspension system featuring McPherson struts with coil spring in front and Rigid 5-Link Axle and coil springs in the rear.

Stopping power comes from a brake system featuring 18-inch discs in front and 17-inch discs in the rear.

The top-of-line Staria is equipped with Hyundai Smartsense, a suite of advanced driver assist and safety features that include Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Manual Speed Limit Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist-Junction, Surround View Monitors, Front and Rear Parking Distance Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Blind Sport View Monitor.

The Staria is also equipped with Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Lock Braking System, Hill Start Assist Control, and Electronic Parking Brake with Autohold.

Other standard safety and security features include dual, side and curtain airbags, Child Lock, Child Anchor, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Immobilizer.

More and more Starias can be seen on the roads these days. This should not come as a surprise to those who like the modern looks and well-thought out features of Hyundai's people mover.