Hyundai has launched its next-generation Staria people-mover, and the new vehicle is pretty versatile. Its available configurations of between two and 11 seats offer a wide range of set-ups (although the 11-seat version will only be available in Korea).

Available in two variants – Staria and Staria Premium – the people-mover has a pretty futuristic look, with a sleek exterior highlighted by low-set headlights, and daytime running lights spanning the width of the front of the vehicle. The Premium model gets a tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles. At the rear, the Premium model gets a Parametric Pixel lamp design and garnish on top.

Eight exterior colours are available: Abyss Black Pearl, Creamy White, Graphite Gray Metallic, Moonlight Blue Pearl, Shimmering Silver Metallic, Dynamic Yellow, Olivine Gray Metallic and Gaia Brown Pearl.

Up front in the cabin, the Staria has a 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever.

The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard, providing an unobstructed view for the driver.

Storage space is available on top of the overhead console, bottom of the cluster, and top and bottom of the centre fascia.

Staria Premium offers a variety of additional interior features. The seven-seat Premium model is equipped with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities to maximise cargo space. The nine-seat Premium model’s individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row.

There’s a 64-colour ambient mood lamp, available in all Premium variants. The lighting can selectively illuminate the cockpit, console, doors and cargo areas.

The interior of all models is available in Black, Black and Beige two-tone, Black and Blue two-tone. The Premium variant offers additional options of Gray and Brown two-tone as well as Gray and Light Gray two-tone.

Hyundai says that the Staria’s legroom is among the best in its segment and can be converted into expansive additional cargo space when all seats are pushed together. A full-flat mode applied to rear passenger seats of the standard model offers plenty of interior flexibility.

The cargo space availability varies depending on the seating configuration. For example, the two- and three-seater models, optimised for business use, offer maximum cargo space of almost 5,000 litres. The cargo space dimensions have also been increased to carry three Euro pallets at once.

Powertrain options are a diesel-powered turbocharged, 2.2-litre VGT engine and a petrol-powered Smartstream G6DIII 3.5-litre MPI engine.

The diesel engine is mated with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering an estimated power output of 130kW and 431Nm of torque. The G6DIII 3.5-L MPI is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering an estimated power output of 200kW and 331Nm of torque.

Hyundai says it has optimised each powertrain option for low noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), and improved acceleration. It says it has also optimised the direct valve control body for increased hydraulic efficiency, the oil pump for fuel efficiency, and the multi-plate torque converter for control and fuel efficiency.

Safety features are comprehensive and include seven airbags, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Wireless Module Seat Belt Reminder, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA).

There is also a wide-angle camera that allows the driver and front passenger to view passengers in the back seat on the infotainment system’s display screen.

That infotainment system also enables the driver and front passenger to communicate with rear passengers using a unique speaker function.

The Staria will be launched in Australia in the second half of 2021 and Hyundai says that Special Vehicle models such as limousines, ambulances, camping model and eco-friendly variants are on the drawing board and will be added to the line-up in the future.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (May 2021) 

17 May 2021