The controversial Hyundai Stargazer facelift has arrived in PH, price starts at Php 1.118M

Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) is having an eventful 2025, revitalizing its lineup with new model introductions and comebacks, and different model updates. 

This time, they’re launching the heavily revised version of their best-selling Stargazer which gets quite the controversial exterior redesign, heavy interior upgrade, in addition to additional tech features, and variant lineup revamp.

Previously two separate models, the Stargazer and Stargazer X have been merged into one lineup, with four model grades, the former as the two lower variants and the latter as the higher two. This is now how the lineup looks like, with their prices:

• Stargazer 1.5 GL Plus IVT – Php 1,118,000
• Stargazer 1.5 GLS IVT – Php 1,228,000
• Stargazer X 1.5 GLS Plus IVT – Php 1,318,000
• Stargazer X 1.5 Premium IVT – Php 1,378,000

Now let’s talk about that controversial exterior redesign, shall we?

The new Stargazer trades its sci-fi “baby Staria” 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, and the rear still gets an H-shaped signature for the taillights, but also with a completely new design.

Setting the Stargazer X apart is its more rugged details with an even larger front grille with blacked-out badging, more angular bumpers, a different alloy wheel design, roof rails, and an extended tailgate spoiler.

The interior also receives a heavy refresh, with a more streamlined look for the dashboard, taking cues from the Korean automaker’s newer products. For this update, HMPH has discontinued offering a six-seater layout in favor of a seven-seater layout on all variants.

As for equipment, the Stargazer gets LED headlights and taillights, new 16-inch alloy wheels, leatherette+fabric seats, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ambient lighting.

The Stargazer X adds blacked-out 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system also with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold.

Still powering all variants of the Hyundai Stargazer line for this update is the same 1.5-liter Smartstream G four-cylinder MPI engine that produces 115 horsepower and 144Nm of torque, exclusively mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), Hyundai’s version of a CVT.

Safety-wise, the suite of Hyundai Smartsense advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) on the Stargazer X has been improved. On top of lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision alert, among others, it now also gets adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, and front collision avoidance.

Like with all other Hyundai models, buyers of the Stargazer will be able to take advantage of a five-year or 200,000km vehicle warranty, whichever comes first. On top of that is one-year free preventive maintenance service (PMS).

The new Hyundai Stargazer (and Stargazer X) are now available at all authorized Hyundai dealerships around the country. What do you think of the updates given to the brand’s entry-level MPV offering?

_{Photos by Sam Surla}