Personal Favorite: 2026 Hyundai Stargazer X Premium – Review

I drive a lot of cars for work, all of which take on different shapes, sizes, and capabilities. I often find myself drowning in all that they are, with all the new tech and features, sometimes I look forward to the simple options, the ones that stay true to the core of the model, but offer the essentials.

One of those cars has always been the Hyundai Stargazer. It remains one of my favorite models across the whole industry, and I got to try the updated, higher, and meatier-looking Stargazer X.

2026 Hyundai Stargazer X Premium Exterior

When Hyundai relaunched in the Philippines as the brand itself and no longer through a distributor, one of the first cars to make a splash was the Stargazer. People were quick to point out that, for the usually boring MPV class, the Stargazer at least was interesting to look at. Fast forward to 2026, and the updated Stargazer lineup is upon us, and by God does it look erm… More interesting than it used to.

It took me a while to appreciate the previous model; this one is an acquired taste. For those who know, it actually reminds me of the National Lampoon’s Vacation Family Truckster. For those who don’t know, that’s not a compliment. However, my opinions are purely for the redesigned front fascia; everything else about this Stargazer X looks well designed and proportioned. In fact, compared to the pre-facelift model, this overall design looks much better in Stargazer X form than the normal Stargazer.

Interior

Hyundai’s interiors are some of my favorites because they still retain an air of ergonomics and thought throughout the layout. But I must first comment on the housing of the instrument cluster screen and infotainment. Thank heavens they got rid of the bulky housing of before; this flat and sleek housing makes the interior look so much cleaner.

As the top-of-the-line variant of the whole range, the Stargazer X Premium has wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and many more. It feels complete without feeling cluttered; it just has the right amount of everything that makes up the bare minimum of modern motoring. My favorite features, though, are the often overlooked ones, things like the food tray in the 2nd-row, the multiple bottle holders, and most importantly, the space and practicality.

Performance and Safety

The engine in the Stargazer X remains unchanged, still a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine that makes 115 Ps, and 144 Nm of torque. Shifting is done through the Hyundai IVT unit, the brand’s proprietary CVT technology.

Safety is complete with the full integration of Hyundai Smart Sense, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and more.

Driving Impressions

Driving MPVs are usually boring and really not anything to talk about, but if you remove the idea and try to drive the Stargazer X, you realize Hyundai did an amazing job. First, despite the size, this tall 7-seater is light on its feet; a simple press on the pedal is enough to roll off the line. The steering is by far one of the best in the class, light and easy, but direct enough to properly drive through a corner without much need for adjustment.

The highlight, though, has to be the IVT transmission; it is underrated as one of the best in the business. It manages to pep up a tiny engine for such a big car; it’s also engaging in manual mode, plus it is tuned so properly that the fuel economy is better than most. In the city, heavy traffic conditions got me 10 km/l, and highway driving netted me an astonishing 15 km/l. Remember this is a heavy car with a small engine, which usually means it needs more to get it going, but I barely had a hard time keeping up pace, ensuring the engine wasn’t so stressed out and gulping fuel. The IVT is a true ‘chef’s kiss’ moment.

One other thing that the Stargazer X Premium does well is build quality. We’re so used to the idea that MPVs are budget people movers, so the materials tend to be plasticky and hard. Hyundai blends that well with a smattering of soft-touch panels, and the fit and finish is miles better than the competition. In terms of ride and handling, I think no other MPV comes close. The Stargazer X rode so well over all road conditions that it was very, very comfortable throughout every journey.

Points for Improvement

As much as I love the Stargazer, one glaring issue for me is the engine itself. While this 1.5-liter Smartstream is smooth and quiet, it lacks any oomph that a 7-seater would need once loaded up. Here in the Philippines, we load our cars up to the brim, while this isn’t recommended, it’s a fact of life.

115 Ps and 144 Nm of torque just doesn’t cut it anymore. Maybe a mild hybrid or a diesel option would be better suited to hauling. We aren’t after speed; we just need the power to overtake and keep up speed.

Price and Verdict

At PHP 1,378,000, the Hyundai Stargazer X Premium isn’t the most affordable, but it also isn’t the most expensive. It sits in a happy spot between the competition, but the amazing thing about it is that it’s better than them in almost all aspects. The Stargazer X stands as a reminder that Hyundai knows how to make great products for everyone, and that sometimes the simple options are the best.