The updated Hyundai Staria has arrived in South Africa. We sampled the refreshed variant in Executive 9-seater spec in Cape Town. First impressions here…
What are we driving and why is it significant?
Arriving in 2021 as the replacement for Hyundai’s H1 people-mover, the Staria announced itself with sharp, futuristic lines, dramatic exterior lighting and altogether more sophisticated packaging than its notably conservative predecessor. Sharing its modern underpinnings with the likes of the Santa Fe and Tucson, as well as its Kia Carnival relation, if its styling proved somewhat divisive within this traditionally play-it-safe segment, those keen to stand out from the crowd were rewarded with impressive road manners, noteworthy levels of all-around comfort and generous standard specification, paired with the brand’s proven 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. While the Staria’s head-turning design and value proposition quickly found favour with shuttle services and, indeed, funeral homes, many South African families were also drawn to this vehicle’s versatile interior, which, with this mid-cycle update, can still be ordered with seating for up to 11.
What’s new on the updated Hyundai Staria?
Also available as a panel van, though the Staria’s exterior styling updates are limited to a lightly revised grille on the three specification grades, changes to the interior are noteworthy. This includes moving the transmission lever to the steering column to free up space and adding a more modern infotainment setup with a 12.3-inch display. The standard inclusion of heated and ventilated front seats, and window blinds on Elite and Luxury specifications is a nice touch.
Available to order with seating for either 9 or 11, Hyundai expects the Staria Executive to remain the most popular derivative. Fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, this grade also ships with climate control, keyless start, a wireless mobile phone charging dock, 4.2-inch digital instrumentation, and front and rear parking sensors.
What does the updated Hyundai Staria cost?
The updated Staria is priced from R959 900 for the nine-seater Executive, with the range topping out at R1 324 900 for the Luxury flagship model. Pricing includes Hyundai’s five-year/150 000 km warranty, seven-year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty, and a seven-year/105 000 km service plan on Luxury specification. Executive and Elite grades are sold with a six-year/90 000 km service plan.
- Hyundai Staria 2.2D Executive 9-seater — R959 900
- Hyundai Staria 2.2D Executive 11-seater — R969 900
- Hyundai Staria 2.2D Elite — R1 099 900
- Hyundai Staria 2.2D Luxury — R1 324 900
What are the updated Hyundai Staria’s rivals?
The Hyundai Staria competes against the Ford Tourneo Custom, Kia Carnival, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Renault Trafic, Toyota Quantum, and Volkswagen Transporter Kombi.
What is the updated Hyundai Staria like to drive?
The appeal of the Staria remains that it finds a compelling middle-ground between vehicles in this segment that feel notably van-based – and thus adapted for purpose – and those developed to offer a superior VIP passenger experience. Impressively comfortable, with no notable squeaks or rattles that can be surprisingly commonplace in a segment that asks so much of a tall, stretched passenger compartment, the Staria feels accomplished while ticking lots of boxes, including around-town usability and open-road refinement. I recorded an impressive 8.9 L/100 km average fuel consumption over the course of my Western Cape-based test drive. Matching the latter figure translates to a driving range of just over 840 km on a full, 75-litre tank of fuel.
Verdict
While a mandate to transport family and friends safely and in relative comfort isn’t especially broad, it’s interesting to note how each manufacturer operating in this segment achieves its goals, including the corresponding price points. A big fan of the SUV-like driving characteristics of its Kia Carnival cousin, I also appreciate how the Staria continues to carve its own path by combining standout styling with impressive all-around comfort and generous specification, complemented by a more traditional (tall) driving position. This South Korean brand’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel powertrain remains among the most effortlessly capable in the business, too.
Hyundai Staria 2.2D Executive 9-seater specifications
- Price: R959 900
- Engine: 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel
- Transmission: eight-speed automatic
- Driven wheels: front
- Power: 130 kW @ 3 800 r/min
- Torque: 430 N.m @ 1 500-2 500 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 13.1 seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 180 km/h (claimed)
- Fuel consumption: 8.7 L/100 km (claimed)
- CO2 emissions: 189 g/km (claimed)
