The Philippines is a huge van market; our family-first and barkada mindsets have fed into our need to have the prerequisite spacious vehicle in our lives. The big hitters in the segment have changed over the years, but the mainstays like the Toyota Hiace and the Hyundai Starex (now Staria) continue to provide the Filipinos’ van needs.
In the case of the Staria (Starex), though, I’ve always felt it was the underdog in the segment; it was considered an alternative rather than a first choice. With the entry of the new Staria, I think the perspective has changed.
Hyundai Staria Premium+ 9-Seater Exterior
After years in the market, the Hyundai Staria has carved out a true segment for itself. No longer just the alternative, Hyundai’s pivot to premium has worked. The Staria provides a healthy stream of sales for the brand locally, and I finally decided to borrow one and find out what makes this a standout.
Looking at it, you can already get an idea that it isn’t one to blend in or be part of a crowd. While it retains the normal van shape and size, the Staria completely reshapes your idea of Van design. People have compared it to a spaceship on more than one occasion. To be honest, when it first came out, I wasn’t a huge fan of the way it looked; to me, the enormous windows looked disproportionate. However, I’m pleased to report that I now ‘appreciate’ the way it looks, especially this premium variant with the touches of bronze/copper, which adds a certain flair of class and plushness.
Interior
The variant I was lent had the 9-seater configuration (2+2+2+3). Given the Starias’ size, there was more than enough space to comfortably sit 9 people, especially those in the 2nd and 3rd row captain seats. I also loved how tall the interior space is; those on the shorter side could almost stand up fully.
Creature comforts are plentiful, with Staria leaning towards a more luxurious market. The front passengers have heated and cooled seats, with the 2nd row occupants also getting the same feature. There is wireless charging, wireless phone connectivity, and screen mirroring through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The materials used all around the interior are also upscale; the roof lining is suede, the seats are covered in supple brown leather, and everything just seems well-built and put together.
There’s also the convenience in luxury that the Staria has, the fact that all passenger doors are automatic and can be controlled by the driver, or through the key fob, making it easy for people entering the rear. There are also the interior mood lighting fixtures that give an ambiance, and the plethora of charging ports, cupholders, and storage areas, all adding to a van that has thought of everything.
Performance and Safety
With so much mass to move around, the powertrain matters as much as anything else, and the Staria gets a 2.2-liter turbo diesel that makes 177 Ps and 430 Nm of torque, all paired to an 8-speed automatic that sends power to a unique all-wheel-drive system.
Safety comes in the form of Hyundai’s Smart Sense system, which in this case is complete with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and many more, giving peace of mind while hauling so many individuals.
Driving Impressions
Driving any van usually feels the same; you feel the size, the heft, and the generally generic driving dynamics, but the Staria is an outlier. I was first perplexed as to why Hyundai would make it an AWD, but after driving it, I realized it helps with pulling, especially up steep inclines, and also it gives more stability and traction at higher speeds or less than ideal road conditions like rain or the lack of a road surface altogether.
When it comes to maneuverability, the Staria trumps almost all vans I’ve driven. The turning circle is very good for something long and wide, and driving through tight spaces isn’t an issue at all. I felt like it was a large SUV rather than a van. I honestly didn’t mind driving the Staria at all, even alone; it was okay to drive. Ride comfort is a big plus also for the Staria, it had the right amount of firmness without having the wallowy ride that could induce vomits from the rear passengers. Well, in my case, I can say it was comfortable because when I took it to La Union, all my passengers were asleep.
On the highway, the Staria was as smooth as can be; the engine, despite being a diesel, is muted enough to be barely noticeable at some speeds. The best thing, though, would have to be the lack of wind noise, a common issue for Vans. The design of the Staria is sculpted and aerodynamic enough that I barely heard any wind noise at higher speeds, a huge plus if you ask me.
Overall, as a driver, you wouldn’t be put off driving the Staria; it may be a van, but it certainly reacts differently. It can be considered engaging at times, but generally smooth, which matters more.
Points for Improvement
I have only one issue with the Staria, the engine. While it is smooth and generally capable. I find that it needs more power and torque; at full load, it has the tendency to lose steam at higher rpms, making overtaking tricky, especially on provincial roads. Also, an overworked engine tends to be less fuel efficient, and given that the Staria is AWD, it will consume more. In the city, the best I got was 8 km/l, and the highway only got me 13 km/l. I think it could be better with more torque and power to ease the load. It’s not a gas guzzler by any means, but I know it can be better.
Price and Verdict
At PHP 2,830,000, the Staria isn’t the most expensive van out there; in fact, it’s actually quite affordable given what you get in return. It’s no small wonder then that the Staria has become a top choice for van buyers, especially in the premium segment. Next to the Super Grandias and Alphards of this world, the Staria can stand toe-to-toe.
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