By Khulekani Dumisa

Hyundai Motor Company recently launched the new Staria MPV lineup digitally, establishing a model for its future purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). According to Hyundai, the Staria is their response to shifting consumer needs by offering them purposeful, innovative features and redefining in-car travel experiences in line with the company’s vision of “Progress for Humanity”.

The Staria is available in 2 to 11-seat configurations and in two variants, namely the Staria and Staria Premium. The latter features upgraded features and variant-exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel.

Bold and futuristic styling

Up front, the Staria features a horizontal DRL running across the width of the car. Beneath it sits a uniquely patterned grille and a pair of low-set headlamps.Lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and create a feeling of openness.

The design theme carries over to the rear, featuring a wide window framed by elongated vertical tail lamps. The range-topping Staria Premium gets Hyundai’s unique Parametric Pixel lamp design and garnish on top. Its rear bumper has been lowered so passengers can easily load and unload cargo. It also features variant-exclusive tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles to emphasize the vehicle’s premium and modern look.

The new Hyundai Staria has a length of 5,253 mm; a width of 1,997 mm and a wheelbase of 3,273 mm.

High-tech, spacious, comfortable and quality interior

The driver’s seat in the cruise-ship-inspired interior has a futuristic high-tech look with an advanced 10,25-inch front display screen featuring Hyundai’s smart infotainment system which is equipped with a wide-angle camera that enables the driver and front passenger to view rear passengers in the back seat on the display screen. The infotainment system also enables the driver and front passenger to communicate with rear passengers using a unique speaker function that allows all occupants to clearly hear one another.

The digital cluster is located atop the dashboard for an unobstructed driver view. The center console features a touch-based center fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever. Both driver and passengers also have access to a center console equipped with cup holders, USB ports and additional storage space for both driver and passengers.

The Staria Premium offers various additional interior features that will transform the passenger’s mobility experience. The 7-seat Premium model is equipped with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximize cargo space. The 9-seat Premium model’s individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row.

The luggage capacity varies depending on how the seating configurations are arranged. The 2 and 3-seater are optimized for business use, offering a maximum cargo space of almost 5,000 liters.

The premium feeling is further enhanced by the Bose sound system and a 64-color ambient mood lamp. Depending on the model and region or country of sale, the Staria’s interior is available in the following colours: black, black-and-beige two-tone, black-and-blue two-tone. The Premium variant offers additional options of grey-and-brown two-tone as well as grey-and-light-gray two-tone.

Powertrain

The Staria will be offered in South Africa with a 2.2-liter VGT turbodiesel engine, the same source of power used in the new Santa Fe. The diesel engine is newly improved and paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Its high-efficiency, air-cooled turbocharger has an improved compressor and turbine wheel performance for better low speed torque performance.

Mechanical upgrades resulted in improved ride comfort thanks to the application of a multi-link suspension at the rear axle. The Staria’s upright inclination angle and lever ratio of shock absorbers also contribute to improved ride comfort. Likewise, upgrades in brake calipers and discs provide stable stopping power for the large sized Staria.

Safety and convenience

The Staria offers an option to add as many as six airbags. All seats come with three-point seat belts and headrests. Safety is further bolstered by smart options such as Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA). Other safety features include Wireless Module Seat Belt Reminder (WM-SBR), Safe Exit Assist (SEA) and Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), available in select markets.

Availability

Hyundai Automotive South Africa aims at a local launch date of the Staria towards the end of the year. Meanwhile the automaker will launch the new Santa Fe this month.