- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He Ar
Hyundai Staria. Minivan from the future
The Hyundai Staria is a full-size front- or four-wheel drive minivan, produced since 2021. Hyundai sees the new Staria as ‘a step into the future of mobility, safety and versatility’. The minivan aims to ‘reflect Hyundai’s commitment to take over the leadership of the mobility industry of the future as a provider of intelligent mobility solutions’. This is a serious statement. The minivan is distinguished by its original design, roomy interior and modern equipment. It is perfect for family and business.
The name ‘Staria’ is formed by the fusion of the words ‘star’ and ‘ria’ (‘long narrow area formed by the flood of the river valley’), so it literally means the ‘star flood’. The Staria has already managed to surprise everyone with its design and numerous interior design options. Convenience, practicality, unusual futuristic appearance will definitely attract many fans to it. In other countries, the minivan will only appear in the second half of 2021. In Israel, the Staria is also not available yet, but who knows, maybe everything is still ahead. In our humble opinion, it will perfectly fit into our market.
The first generation
The official world premiere of the minivan, which replaced the Starex minivan (aka H-1), took place on April 13, 2021. The 2021/2022 Hyundai Staria can be compared to a new stage in the life of an automaker. The minivan is built on a modern platform, featuring a transverse engine, front axle drive and independent rear suspension. The car is large, with the length 5,253 mm (which is 103 mm more than that of the Starex), the width of 1,997 mm (by 77 mm) and the height of 1,990 mm (by 65 mm). And the wheelbase has grown from 3,200 to 3,273 mm compared to its predecessor. Interestingly, the Koreans have managed to make the floor level lower, which makes the interior roomy and capacious.
It is important that the new Staria opens a whole range of specialized models: a luxury minivan, camper, ambulances… In September 2021, the manufacturer released the cargo versions of the new model, and the Australian market was the first to get them. The cargo vans come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, 7 airbags, etc. The Staria Cargo van has a 3-seater cabin and a cargo compartment with a volume of five cubic meters. There will also be a two-row version.
Exterior
The new Hyundai Staria has a very unusual exterior (however, this is typical of all the latest generation Hyundai). It resembles a spaceship with its elegant shapes and strange optics with a narrow diode strip across the entire width of the muzzle playing the role of navigation lights, and the headlights are recessed into the radiator grille. The taillights are also narrow stripes, located vertically and occupying almost the entire height of the body. They are made in the form of small squares, reminiscent of pixels.
Versions
The passenger minivan is called the Staria Tourer. Its interior can accommodate 11 people, and the seats are placed in 4 rows (3+3+3+2). There is also a 9-seater passenger compartment, which is equipped with two separate seats in the first and second rows. Moreover, the second row seats have the option of rearward facing, creating a kind of wardroom or mini-conference room. These minivans are not equipped with the highest level of equipment: analog devices, air conditioning and a simple sound system. However, they have seven airbags, an electric parking brake and 17-inch wheels. Plus, there is also an in-cabin intercom, providing communication for any of the passengers.
The 9-seater version is called the Staria Premium and has some slight external differences, including 18-inch wheels and chrome trim. The interior is decorated with lighting, comprising as many as 64 colors. The equipment, of course, is richer: a digital dashboard, leather interior trim (nappa leather for an additional charge), premium sound system, ventilated first- and second-row seats, and a two-section glass roof. For a surcharge, the car can be equipped with large, luxurious second-row seats with electric drive, heating, ventilation and retractable footrests.
Engines
The 2021/2022 Hyundai Staria can be equipped with three engines. The main unit is a 2.2 VGT turbocharged diesel engine with 177 hp and 431 Nm, coupled with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. The latter is combined with the optional HTRAC all-wheel drive. The buyers can also install a 3.5 liter V6 gasoline engine (272 hp, 331 Nm) or its 3.5 LPI gas version (240 hp, 314 Nm). The cars with a V6 engine come only with the automatic transmission.
