By Khulekani Dumisa

Hyundai’s Staria range has grown in South Africa with the addition of the Staria Multicab. This is a 5-seater van with a separate cargo area allowing for use as a leisure vehicle or for carrying large articles for commercial use.

The Multicab joins three other Staria variants in the South African range: the Luxury, Elite and Executive, with 7 to 11-seat configurations. A Staria Panel Van will be added to the local range later in 2022.

“We have received numerous compliments and positive reviews after the initial Staria launch in 2021, which confirmed the big step forward Hyundai has taken with this vehicle – it gives real meaning to ‘next level’. In only two months of sales it has captured 7% of its market segment for the year,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Looks

The Staria Multicab retains the looks of the passenger Staria models. Perhaps the biggest giveaway is at the back where the former adopts a pair of split doors instead of the one door unit of the latter. The split door is convenient requiring less space for opening and only one door needing to be opened if contents can be accessed from the single door.

From a design point of view, other than the different doors, the design theme of the range carries over to the rear, featuring elongated vertical tail lamps. The rear bumper is lowered so passengers can easily load and unload cargo.

The Staria Multicab is available in four exterior colours: Creamy White, Graphite Grey, Moonlight Blue and Shimmering Silver.

Space galore

The vehicle’s lower beltlines and panoramic windows create a spacious environment for the driver and passengers.The driver and passenger seats in the first row are designed to offer a feeling of space and comfort. The glove compartment in the first-row passenger’s seat is moved forward to provide extra legroom space. The Staria Multicab comes with black trim for the interior, including the artificial leather seats.

The Staria Multicab’s innovative space utilization is made possible by the MPV’s 3,273 mm wheelbase with an overall length of 5,253 mm and width of 1,997 mm. Its overall height of 1,990 mm is optimized for passengers to conveniently enter and exit the vehicle and is high enough for an average school-aged child to stand upright and move with ease. The Staria Multicab has a payload of 1,074 kg and can tow a trailer, with brakes, weighing 2,500 kg, or a 750 kg unbraked trailer. The Multicab’s cargo area has a volume capacity of 2,890 litres.

Features and safety

Creature comforts and safety features include leather seats, automatic climate control, and 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto capability, a reverse camera, cruise control, wireless charger, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, auto headlights, front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, and ESC.

Power

The Staria Multicab is powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine making 130kW and 430Nm. The engine is paired with a smooth eight speed automatic gearbox which sends power to the front wheels. Fuel is a claimed combined 8.7L/100km.

We enjoyed driving the Staria Multicab at launch. It’s comfortable and feels sure-footed on the road. The fuel consumption is also commendable coming in at about 7,5l/100km in our drive. Much less than what Hyundai claims.

Pricing

The Hyundai Staria Multicab is priced from R759,900. Prices include a leading 7-year/200,000 km manufacturer warranty, roadside assistance for 7-years or 150,000 km, and a 6-year/90,000 km service plan.