New Hyundai Staria revealed in full

UPDATED 13/04/2021 3:30pm: Hyundai has revealed more images of its new Staria people-mover, which will donate its futuristic new look to the next iLoad van and arrives in local showrooms around May.

Original article published 18/03/2021: The 2022 Hyundai Staria has been revealed in its entirety, following the release of first initial details and teaser shots last week and ahead of its digital world premiere before mid-2021.

Wrapped in a curvaceous mono-cell body that’s said to resemble a spaceship and is punctuated by enormous dark-tinted panoramic windows on all four sides, the replacement for the Hyundai iMax people-mover will arrive in Australia in the second half of this year.

As we’ve reported, the all-new Hyundai Staria also reveals the futuristic look of the closely-related new Hyundai iLoad commercial van, which will be another of the 18 new or facelifted models the Korean car-maker has promised for Australia in 2021.

We first saw the more shapely new design for the successor for the current second-generation TQ-series Hyundai iMax and iLoad, which dates all the way back to 2007, in spy shots last month.

And we know the 2022 Hyundai Staria and iLoad will ditch the rear-wheel drive layout of their predecessors in favour of a new front-wheel drive monocoque platform.

As before, it will incorporate independent coil rear suspension in the people-mover and a solid leaf-sprung rear axle in the delivery van, but is unrelated to the ladder-frame chassis Hyundai and Kia are developing for their first one-tonne ute rivals for the Toyota HiLux.

Now Hyundai has confirmed its bigger and more shapely people-mover will offer the choice of two, seven, nine or 11 seats within a spacious interior designed to appeal to both families and businesses.

However, the 11-seat version with four rows of pews will only be offered in South Korea.

Hyundai says the Staria’s rounded one-box design was based on an ‘inside-out’ approach and its streamlined silhouette “inspired by the halo that illuminates Earth’s horizon during sunrise when viewed from space”.

The wedge-shaped front-end is highlighted by a full-width horizontal daytime running light (DRL) above low-set headlights positioned on each side of the grille, while huge vertical tail-lights flank a big rear tailgate above a low rear bumper to facilitate easier cargo un/loading.

The range-topping Hyundai Staria Premium adds a “luxurious look and feel with variant-exclusive design cues and features”, including a unique mesh grille pattern, a chrome line around the cube-style full-LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels include diamond patterns and graphics, and tinted brass chrome for the Hyundai badge, wheels, side mirrors and door handles.

Inside, Hyundai says the Staria’s cabin design was inspired by the lounge of a cruise ship, “provides a luxurious feeling and relaxed space” and, thanks to the low exterior belt line, generous outward vision in all directions.

The futuristic high-tech look continues to a driver-focused cockpit with a 10.25-inch central touch-screen, a digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver on top of the dashboard and a push-button electronic gear shifter.

Storage spaces are provided above an overhead console, at the top and bottom of the centre stack, and below the digital instruments, while the centre console box is equipped with USB ports and cup-holders.

All Premium variants will be available with 64-colour ambient mood lighting that illuminates the cockpit, floor console, doors and luggage area.

Seven-seat Staria Premium variants will come with a one-touch relaxation mode for their premium second-row seats, “automatically reclining to a seat posture that comfortably disperses the passenger’s weight and improves overall body balance”, says Hyundai.

Nine-seat Staria Premium variants will offer second-row seats that can swivel 180 degrees, allowing occupants to face passengers in the third row.

“Staria is Hyundai’s first mass-produced vehicle model that is designed with the ‘inside-out’ design approach,” said head of Global Hyundai Design, SangYup Lee.

“Staria will provide a completely new experience and value proposition to customers through its unprecedented design and innovative features.”

The outgoing Hyundai iMax found 638 Australian homes in 2020 (down 25% on 2019), making it the fourth-best-selling people-mover behind the Kia Carnival (3650), Honda Odyssey (1091) and LDV G10 Wagon (725).

Other competitors include the Volkswagen Caravelle/Multivan and, at the premium end of the segment, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class/Valente and Toyota Granvia.