The Hyundai Staria Is A Van Like No Other
When it comes to selling vans in the Philippines, Hyundai is no stranger. The Starex has always been one of the most popular offerings in the segment ever since it was first launched a little over two decades ago.
Now it has a successor in the form of the 2022 Hyundai Staria with its very futuristic looking exterior which definitely shows off what’s in store for the future.
As mentioned earlier, the 2022 Hyundai Staria features a very futuristic exterior design, far from what you can see on any van or MPV available in the market today, and obviously a huge departure from Hyundai’s current line of vans. Up front, the Staria gets an LED light bar that runs across the width of the front fascia. Below that is a large radiator grille where the headlight clusters are integrated to. What’s also noticeable are the large windows and windshield which should provide panoramic view for the vehicle’s occupants. At the rear, there is a set of upright and tall LED taillights with different cluster designs depending on the variant.
Inside, the Staria features a visibly simple but very premium looking interior. The driver gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. There’s also a fully touch-based center stack, and an electronic gear shifter. Premium variants also get a 64-color ambient mood lamp and a Bose premium sound system.
As for seating, the Staria is available with seating for 2 up to 11 passengers. The 7-seat Premium model is equipped with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximize cargo space. The 9-seat Premium model’s individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row. This makes STARIA Premium ideal for corporate vehicles or mobile offices as passengers can turn their seats around and conduct meetings face to face. Families will also find these swiveling seats convenient as rear-facing passengers will have easy access to those seated in the third row.
Under the hood, the 2022 Hyundai Staria is powered by two engine options. The first is a 2.2 L VGT Diesel engine that produces 175 hp and 431 Nm of torque. The second option is a 3.3 L Smartstream G6DIII petrol engine that produces 237 hp and 314 Nm of torque. The diesel can be paired to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission while the petrol engine can only be paired to the latter.
In terms of safety, the Staria can be had with a suite of driver-assist features. This includes Forward Collision Avoidance and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, among others. It also features Safe Exit Assist which prevents passengers from opening the power sliding doors when it detects a vehicle passing by.
Hyundai is also planning to introduce limousine, ambulance, camping car, and other eco-friendly versions of the Staria in the future.
There is no news yet as to when and if the Staria will make it to Philippine shores. Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., Hyundai’s distributor in the country did announce last year that they will launch four new models this year and one of the vehicle silhouettes in the teaser was a van which could definitely be the Staria. Would this be a great successor to the well-known and loved Starex?
