The brilliant all-new 2023 Hyundai Staria MPV is available for immediate sale replacing the ubiquitous long-serving Starex. The Hyundai Starex has finally been supplanted after its incredibly successful model run from 1997 to 2022—a solid 25-year success story!
The long wait was absolutely worth it too for many reasons that include the establishment of the new Hyundai Philippine distributor Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH) as well as receiving the most updated model variants of the Staria as well. In fact, ironically, there is an interesting parallel with the foundation of the previous official Hyundai distributor, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), responsible for the brand in the Philippines since 2001. The domestic gray market sold the Hyundai Starex for several years before it was finally sold officially by HARI. This time around in current times, the gray market once again took the opportunity to sell the most kitted outgoing Starex models as well as introduce the all-new Staria replacement to the local market before HMPH began official operations.
HMPH launched the finest configuration of the Staria which you see here in combination Creamy White and Tinted Brass (Bronze) that bests the gray market versions. The Hyundai Staria Premium+ AWD which is essentially the more upscale Lounge model sold in other markets. It is also available in Abyss Black Pearl with the contrasting Tinted Brass for the 7-seater AWD Premium+ variants. The 11-seater GLS+ model is less expensive but loses a significant amount of essential standard kit. There are also 6-speed manual variants for cargo and commercial use. Not only are the aesthetics of the Premium+ model significantly redesigned beginning with the exquisite mesh-patterned front radiator grille that matches tastefully and elegantly with the front and rear bumper lip garnishes as well the mirrors and door handles, but even the full-LED headlights were also redesigned and are more powerful.
Photo by Isabel N. Delos Reyes 
Photo by Isabel N. Delos Reyes
The new complex alloys also match with the contrasting tinted brass finish. The signature front hood DRL is very cool, as well as the futuristic signature rear parametric pixel lights.
Photo by Isabel N. Delos Reyes
Compared to its rear-wheel driven commercial chassis Starex predecessor, the primarily front-wheel driven Staria uses an even longer version of the Hyundai-Kia N platform (by 183mm) shared with the award-winning current Kia Carnival, so the wheelbase is 73mm longer, the body is 103mm longer, 77mm wider, and 55mm taller. The transmission gained three more gears, and the suspension is now fully independent. The brakes on the Staria are appropriately larger than the Kia Carnival given that it is much larger and heavier too.
If the exterior doesn’t enthrall you then the new interior will for sure with its elegant embroidered brown two-tone Nappa leather, 7-seater “premium relaxation seats” with powered ottomans and climate control on the second-row captain chairs, dual moonroofs, 12-speaker Bose audio, 64-color ambient mood lights, abundant storage compartments and power outlets for everyone’s devices, a wireless smartphone charger in the dashboard, paddle shifts, 10.25-inch TFT LCD Instrument Cluster with blindspot projection (BVM), 4-drive modes, floating shift-by-wire transmission, 8-inch Display Audio with wireless Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto Smartphone integration and 360-degree camera parking assist, front and rear sonar, powered dual side doors and trunk, both the second and third row slide fore and aft easily to optimize passenger comfort, electrochromatic rearview mirror, and the largest greenhouse in the business. The sliding doors have manual sliding windows while the third-row passengers can also open their windows with a manual crank, both having additional retractable sunshades. All in a very quiet and safe cabin with a 5-star ANCAP rating with multiple passenger airbags and a myriad of active and passive safety measures.
The HTRAC AWD system always runs intelligently in the background as you drive but the system can be locked via toggle switch for an even torque split up to approximately 65 km/h. The HTRAC system has no differentials but works well nonetheless to keep the Staria safe and on track especially on wet and unpaved roads. Depending on the selected drive modes the system will also adjust the distribution of power as follows: Comfort – Power is split approximately 70/30 between the front and rear wheels for stable control is all weather conditions, Smart or Eco – Majority of power is sent to the front wheels for improved fuel efficiency, and Sport – Up to 50% of the torque is sent to the rear wheels for dynamic control and greater agility.
For maximum passenger and driver comfort (the front seats also have climate control), space, luggage capacity, semi-all-terrain versatility, and multi-passenger luxury, the all-new Staria is an efficient, very modern, and great looking superstar. It is powered by a 2.2-liter turbodiesel producing 174 bhp / 317 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic gearbox with intelligent AWD. It can wade through 350mm of water, uses 13.6-inch ventilated front discs with 2-piston calipers / rear 12.8-inch vented discs with single piston calipers with Integrated Electric Parking Brake, ABS, BA, HAC, MCB, TCS, VSM, EBD with Hyundai SmartSense. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds with a top speed of 192 km/h with an overall fuel efficiency of 8.1 L/100 kms. Price as tested: PhP 2,930,000.00 (GLS+ 11-seater retails for PhP 2,320,000.00 / the Commercial Variants are the 6MT Cargo at PhP 1,560,000.00 and the 6MT Commuter at PhP 1,850,000.00).
The elegant all-new Hyundai Staria is the new luxury MPV standard with optimal packaging, a standout inside and out, as well as the most spacious and most comfortable in its class—while having the versatility of an intelligent AWD HTRAC system, and a 5-year 200,000-kilometer factory warranty.