Filipinos aren’t strict when it comes to the number of kids they have. We’re also known to be okay living with extended family members, if that means money goes to savings instead of rent we can’t build up on. This is why 7-seater cars are such a hot sell in the Philippines may it be an MPV, crossover, or SUV. But there will come a time when 7 isn’t enough.
Once that moment comes, there’s the Hyundai Staria 9-seater. If you’re thinking “that’s just 2 more seats, what’s the big deal?” then you should calm down and be more open minded. I’ll tell you why a van like the Staria is inevitable if you have extended family members.
Unlike a common 7-seater where the last two seats are cramped up, the Staria’s 9-seater is livable for a long drive. If everyone is of average Filipino height, you can adjust the 4 captain seats in such a way that they all have enough legroom including the last bench seat. It’s also elevated enough thanks to the headroom available in the Staria. This means even if you’re not in the captain seats, the bench seat will give you a proper seating position with ample support for the butt and thigh resulting in minimal fatigue in a long drive. It’s also a true 3-seater if all occupants are of average build.
Some will raise an eyebrow over the lack of cargo area in the Staria 9-seater. Iho, iha, if you’re looking for that in a car like this, you’re missing the point. The Staria is meant as a premium people hauler, emphasis on people. Cargo space is a mere after-thought if you won’t use the last bench seat and even then, the point of entry is too high since it only folds and doesn’t tuck into the flooring.
I’ve used this with all seats occupied when we went to my in-law’s wedding in Tagaytay. Where did we put our belongings? We have an MPV that contains all of our luggages and things. Again, the Staria is an upscale people mover. It’s not meant to be the only car in your garage to do it all. It’s unashamed of being a one-trick pony and it does its job well.
Comfort really is the priority of the Staria. There’s no panoramic sunroof that will bring additional heat to the cabin, there’s powered sliding doors on both sides, the first two captain seats have heating and cooling function, the air vents are on the ceiling, and there are retractable sunshades on the windows even for the last row. Add to that the firm and supple foam of the seats and one will really fall asleep here.
Road ruts will feel like arms rocking you to sleep here in the Staria. There’s a 5-link coil spring suspension at the rear that gives this van a firm but floaty ride. The rear isn’t jumping around when going through bad roads like EDSA or non-asphalted Commonwealth so the rear occupants can continue sleeping and won’t wake up dizzy.
Being a people mover, it’s not surprising that the Staria fell short in some areas. For one, fuel efficiency was compromised. The Staria returned only 6.5km/l in the city, but a good 15 km/l on the highway. It’s not surprising though since this is powered by a smaller 2.2-liter CRDi engine that makes 177 PS and 430 Nm of torque that is further weighed down by the All-Wheel Drive System. I see it as a necessary compromise though since the engine isn’t really laggy despite the size of the Staria and the number of occupants I have. In fact, it acts the same whether I’m alone or the van is fully loaded. Also the AWD system proved useful when we were going up to Tagaytay and through its up and down inner roads.
Second, it has a bland front section. For a van at this price point I’m expecting more premium materials, or even wooden veneer would’ve been fine. Sadly, all you have are gray plastics, a few soft touch materials, and a huge piano black cluster at the center of the dashboard. The upside is, this is easier to maintain. A simple Armor-All and the small scratches from daily use can go away.
What’s fascinating here though is as bland as it looks, the front section is highly functional. You have a digital gauge cluster, a steering wheel with Hyundai Smartsense controls like Adaptive Cruise Control, a touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, a wireless charger, and BOSE Sound System. If you’re not picky with what you see, the Staria will reward you with what you can use.
That’s why for PHP 2,830,000 the Hyundai Staria makes a lot of sense if you have extended family members, and if this won’t be your only car. It has space and comfort for days that they’ll be begging you for a roadtrip every weekend. You can forgive its boring front section once you see your passengers sleeping soundly behind you. Just get yourself a driver sometimes so you can enjoy the captain seats too.
