Sci-fi No More: Say hello to the 2026 Hyundai Stargazer
It’s been three years since the Hyundai Stargazer joined the seven-seater compact MPV wars in the ASEAN region. Fast forward to 2025, it’s time for a mid-cycle update, and a big one it received.
Unveiled at the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), the refreshed Hyundai Stargazer, dubbed the Stargazer Cartenz in Indonesia, is available in both standard and SUV-fied Stargazer X forms, with both receiving heavy updates in the design and features departments.
Starting with its revised looks, just like what we saw in spy shots, the new Stargazer trades its sci-fi looks for a simpler, more upright, and more rugged front fascia. The grille is much larger and extends below the new headlights, which are now a single unit, and the front bumper is more rugged and gets a silver finish.
The side profile is largely similar, but with new 17-inch alloy wheel designs, and the rear still gets an H-shaped signature for the taillights, but also with a completely new design. The license plate has also been moved lower for a cleaner tailgate look.
The interior also receives a heavy refresh, with a more streamlined look for the dashboard, taking cues from the Korean automaker’s newer products. As before, it can be had in seven- or six-seater layouts, the latter featuring second-row captain chairs.
A large single panel now houses the new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which now uses a newer user interface (8-inch on lower variants), and a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The center stack gets a more blocky look with more physical buttons and dials as well.
Setting the Stargazer X apart is an even larger front grille, more angular bumpers, a different alloy wheel design, taller roof rails, and an extended tailgate spoiler.
The 2026 Hyundai Stargazer remains mechanically the same as before, still powered by a 1.5-liter Smartstream G four-cylinder engine, shared with the Creta. Output is still 115 horsepower and 144Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels via a CVT (or a six-speed manual transmission in lower Indonesian-spec variants).
Safety-wise, its suite of Hyundai Smartsense advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) has been improved. On top of lane keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, and forward collision alert, among others, it now also gets adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function.
With the 2026 Hyundai Stargazer and Stargazer X now available in Indonesia, we won’t be surprised to see them come to the Philippines, sooner than later, especially considering how aggressive Hyundai Motor Philippines has been as of late, with back-to-back launches and new variant introductions.
What do you think of the new 2026 Hyundai Stargazer?
Photos from Hyundai
