The Hyundai Staria embodies the future of safe, versatile mobility

MANILA: Hyundai Motor Company has officially unveiled the new Staria multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) lineup through a digital world premiere yesterday, April 13.

The launch of the new Staria signifies the evolution of Hyundai Motor as a "smart mobility solution provider." It also reflects the brand’s “inside-out” design concept that highlights interior spaciousness and practicality. The innovative features of the Staria complement the diverse needs and lifestyles of customers as they redefine in-car travel experiences in line with the brand’s vision of “Progress for Humanity.”

The Staria comes in two- to 11-seat configurations and in two variants. The Staria Premium upgrades mobility to the next level as it is equipped with state-of-the-art features and exclusive finishes that offer a more luxurious look and ambience.

In a statement, Hyundai Motor Company Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Schemera said, “We are thrilled to introduce the Staria, which represents our latest effort to spearhead the evolution of mobility, and to address emerging lifestyle needs as we adapt to new ways of living. The Staria is a step forward in connecting us more closely with our environments so that we can get more out of our everyday lives and do more for ourselves in transit.”

The vehicle features a stylish exterior that is highlighted by a single strake running from front to rear. In a release, Hyundai revealed that this design is “inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.”

For better visibility, the Staria is equipped with a pair of low-set headlamps, daytime running lights (DRLs), and a positioning lamp. The vehicle also features a prominent, uniquely designed radiator grille. Its modern and refined style is even maximized by using the same body color for all frontal parts.

The Staria is designed with lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows to create an illusion of openness. The vehicle’s sense of spaciousness, which took inspiration from the traditional Korean “hanok” architecture, lets passenger enjoy the outside view as if it is an extension of the vehicle interior. The Staria is also designed with a wide window surrounded by elongated vertical tail lamps.

The Staria Premium variant exclusively comes with a tinted brass chrome treatment on the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors, and door handles. The top trim also features Hyundai’s unique parametric pixel lamp design and a lowered rear bumper.

Staria comes in eight body color variants: Abyss Black Pearl, Creamy White, Graphite Gray Metallic, Moonlight Blue Pearl, Shimmering Silver Metallic, Dynamic Yellow, Olivine Gray Metallic, and Gaia Brown Pearl.

On the inside, the Staria incorporates a minimalist style to give more focus on driver’s convenience and passengers’ comfort. It features a cruise-ship inspired design that offers an open ambience through innovative design architecture.

To stay true to its essence as an MPV, the Staria’s simple cabin layout focuses on providing more room and flexibility to passengers. To give more legroom for the front passenger, the glove compartment is moved forward. Meanwhile, the driver’s seat features a futuristic look with a modern 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based center fascia, and button-type electronic shift lever. To provide a clearer view for the driver, the digital cluster is situated above the dashboard.

The Staria also offers various storage compartments where occupants can store all the small items that they need to bring along. It has storage spaces on top of the overhead console, bottom of the cluster, and top and bottom of the center fascia. The center console also comes with cup holders, USB ports, and extra storage space.

Additional interior features are equipped on the Staria Premium. The seven-seat Premium variant comes with relaxation seats in the second row that have reclining and sliding functions to provide more cargo space. The one-touch Relaxation Mode allows the seats to automatically recline and adjust to the passenger’s weight for a comfortable posture and overall body balance. Due to the Staria’s spacious interior layout, third-row passengers would still have enough room even with the second-row seats reclined. The configuration of the Staria’s rear passenger seats can also be transformed to a full-flat mode if more cargo room is needed.

The nine-seat Premium variant comes with individual seats in the second row that can make a 180-degree turn and face the third-row passengers. This feature makes the Staria Premium an ideal corporate vehicle where passengers can hold meetings face to face.

All Staria Premium models get a 64-color ambient mood lamp that intensifies the deluxe ambience inside the cabin.  The lamp can selectively light up the cockpit, console, doors, and cargo areas. The variant is even made more premium by the Bose sound system.

Hyundai Motor Company Senior Vice President and Global Hyundai Design Head SangYup Lee explained, “Staria is not just reinterpreting spatiality, but also reimagining time spent in transit for the future. Designing for mobility isn’t about vehicle design. It’s about designing to accommodate a variety of lifestyles. The Staria’s interior space and functionalities aim to transform how people experience in-car travel, optimizing journeys by making the most of time in transit.”

Customers can choose among the three colors that are available for the Staria’s interior: Black, Black and Beige two-tone, and Black and Blue two-tone. Additional color options are offered on the Premium variant: Gray and Brown two-tone and Gray and Light Gray two-tone.

Staria measures 5,253mm long, 1,997mm wide, and 1,990mm tall. The vehicle’s spacious interior layout is made possible by its 3,273mm wheelbase. The MPV can load up to 5,000 liters of cargo for the two- and three-seater models.

The Staria comes in two engine options: a 2.2-liter VGT diesel engine and a Smartstream G6DIII 3.5-liter MPI gasoline engine.

The diesel engine is coupled with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. It generates a power output of 177ps and 44 kgf-m of torque. The powertrain has an air-cooled turbocharged with improved compressor and turbine wheel performance for greater low speed torque performance.

The gasoline engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It produces a power output of 272ps and 33.8 kgf-m of torque. It comes with a thermal management system that improves fuel efficiency by controlling the coolant temperature based on the vehicle operating condition. The integrated roller swing arm also provides fuel efficiency improvement by reducing friction. The exhaust interference is also improved by the new stainless-steel castings that deliver more power.

Each powertrain option is enhanced for low noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), better shift sensation for high torque performance, and improved acceleration. The direct valve control body was also enhanced for greater hydraulic efficiency. Hyundai Motor has also improved the oil pump and multi-plate torque converter for fuel efficiency.

For an improved ride comfort, the Staria comes with a multi-link suspension at the rear axle, an upright inclination angle, and a lever ratio of shock absorbers. The brake calipers and discs were also upgraded for a stable stopping power despite of the vehicle’s large size.

Upgrades in aerodynamic upper body design and under body also contribute to better fuel economy.

To guarantee the safety of all occupants, the Staria provides an option to add up to six airbags. All seats are equipped with three-point seat belts and headrests. The MPV also comes with intelligent safety features including forward collision avoidance assist (FCA) and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist (BCA).

Staria’s wireless module seat belt reminder (WM-SBR) is the world’s first seatbelt reminder system that uses wireless communications technology. The vehicle also comes with a safe exist assist (SEA) feature that prevents the power sliding door from opening when it detects another vehicle passing by on the rear side. Another smart feature is the rear occupant alert (ROA) that notifies the driver if a rear passenger is left inside the vehicle after exiting.

A wide-angle camera is also installed inside the Staria to allow the driver and the front passenger to monitor the rear passengers through the display screen. This family-friendly feature helps the front-row occupants keep an eye on their children and pets while on the road. It also comes with a unique speaker function that allows the driver and front passenger to clearly communicate with the rear passengers.

In the coming years, Hyundai is set to release special vehicle lineups of Staria including limousines, ambulances, and camping cars. The Korean carmaker also plans to launch eco-friendly Staria variants in the future.

Hyundai Staria will be available in select global markets starting on the second half of 2021.

Photos from Hyundai

Also read: Hyundai continues to pivot with D2D Home, Pick-up, and Delivery services