Hyundai Motor PH is launching Stargazer X, Custo next month

Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH) is not slowing down at all. The company has just teased not one, not two, not three, but four new additions to its local lineup, all set to be officially launched next month, specifically this coming October 16, 2023.

Based on the invite teaser image, HMPH will mainly be introducing two new models, namely the Custo MPV, and the recently unveiled Stargazer X SUV-fied compact MPV. It also looks like they will be introducing additional variants of the Staria van and Stargazer compact MPV.

Hyundai Custo

Biggest in the teaser and the only new model is what appears to be the Hyundai Custo. The 5-door 7-seater minivan was unveiled for the Chinese market in 2021 and could compete directly with the Kia Carnival and maybe even the Toyota Alphard.

In terms of looks, it wears similar styling as the Tucson and Creta crossovers, making use of Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language with its upswept headlights which are integrated into the paremtric design front grille. It also features a rear light bar with the Hyundai name spelled-out.

Inside, the Custo gets a 7-passenger seating configuration in a 2-2-3 layout, with captain’s seats on the second row. Its interior leans on the upmarket side with its trendy floating center console and large portrait-oriented infotainment system.

For the Chinese market, the Hyundai Custo is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged Smartstream-G Inline 4-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 2.0-liter turbo is also available making 236 hp and 353 Nm. The former will most likely be the option available locally as it can benefit from reduced taxes for vehicles with engines of less than 1,500 cc thanks to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.

Also noteworthy is that the Hyundai Custo is also sold in Taiwan as the Custin so there is a possibility that it may use that name once it launches here.

New Hyundai Stargazer X

Now this really isn’t a secret as HMPH sent several motoring journalists to the model’s unveiling.

Also launching is the Hyundai Stargazer X. Recently unveiled at the 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), the Stargazer X is essentially an SUV-like version of the Stargazer compact MPV, made to directly take on the likes of the Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander Cross, and Suzuki XL7, among others.

Compared to the standard Stargazer, the Stargazer X features the heavy use of plastic body cladding around the vehicle. The front and rear bumpers also get a bulkier shape for a more rugged appearance. It also gets its own unique front grille and hood. Finally, it gets a rear tailgate spoiler and 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels.

As for its interior, it remains identical to the regular Stargazer but gets red stitching on the leather seats and a segment-first 8-speaker Bose premium audio system. It also gets the updated dashboard design with a gloss black finish and smaller bezels for the infotainment screen and instrument cluster housing, that we first saw in the Thai-spec Hyundai Stargazer during the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show last March. It is also being offered in both 6- and 7-seater configurations. We’re hoping to see the former become available here in the Philippines as well.

Powering the Hyundai Stargazer X in Indonesia is the same 1.5-liter Smartstream-G Inline 4-cylinder MPI gasoline engine from the regular Stargazer. It produces the same output at 115 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque, paired to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), Hyundai’s version of a CVT. It is also likely that like the Stargazer, the Stargazer X will get the full suite of Hyundai Smartsense advanced driver-assistance tech.

New Hyundai Staria and Stargazer variants

Finally, at the back of the teaser are what appear to be the Stargazer and Staria. The only reason they would be included is the possibility of new variants. 

For the Stargazer, it is likely that HMPH will introduce the 6-seater version which was previewed at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show. That one gets captain’s chairs on the second row, replacing the standard bench seat. We can also expect this to come with an updated dashboard with a thinner bezel for the instrument cluster and a piano-black finish for its housing.

As for the Staria, a little research to see what different variants we could get, there is the 9-seater and 10-seater versions. The former could get a similar feature set as the Staria Premium 7-seater that we currently have available but in a 2-2-2-3 configuration. This one we think would be the best as it would also feature a swiveling 2nd row which allows 2nd and 3rd row passengers to face each other.

There is also the possibility of a 9-seater 3-3-3 configuration or a 10-seater 2-3-2-3 configuration and with the feature set of the GLS+ 11-seater variant which we also have available locally.

Again, Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH) will be introducing these new models and variants on October 16, 2023. They haven’t given any exact specifications so we’ll have to wait until then.