Hyundai Malaysia recently launched the Staria Premium, a nicely-appointed MPV that ferries seven people in comfort. It sits alongside the 10-seater Grand Starex, which expands Hyundai Malaysia’s range of people-movers by one more.
The Hyundai Staria Premium is the brand’s first luxury MPV. The Staria is designed to look something off-worldly right from the start. A single stroke running from front to rear is said to be inspired by the sunrise peeking over Earth’s horizon when viewed from space. The result is a streamlined vehicle that looks effortlessly sleek.
The horizontal DRLs and positioning lamp that runs across the width of the vehicle is certainly eye-catching. The headlamps are set low, flanking the wide radiator grille, which itself is uniquely patterned. Tinted brass chrome treatment punctuates the body’s one colour and is applied to selected sections of the MPV.
Inspired by traditional Korean ‘hanok’ architecture that extends the interior space to the outside. Lowered beltline and panoramic side windows help the cause, giving passengers unimpeded views of the scenery. Two minimalist vertical tail lamps that bookend the wide rear window grabs attention. The rear combination lamps use Hyundai’s unique Panoramic Pixel design.
The interior design is inspired by a cruise ship to deliver an open-air atmosphere. Lower beltlines and panoramic windows seemingly create a spacious environment for all passengers. The Staria’s wheelbase stretches for 3,273mm, accumulating to an overall length of 5,253mm and a width of 1,997mm wide.
Within the wheelbase are Premium Relaxation Seats fitted on the second row. The seats have a one-touch relaxation mode that reclines the seats automatically to disperse the passenger’s weight to improve body balance. There’s enough room for adult passengers in the third row, despite the second row’s recline.
A digital cluster is placed on top of the dashboard to provide an unobstructed view for the driver. In the centre are a 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and button-type electronic shift lever. Hyundai’s smart infotainment system includes a wide-angle camera that enables the front to see what’s going on in the last row.
The interior ambience is embellished with a 64-colour mood lamp. Direct and indirect lighting illuminates the cockpit, console, doors and cargo areas. A Bose-sound system completes the interior’s premium feel.
Hyundai’s premium MPV comes stacked with active safety and driving assistance technologies. Called Hyundai SmartSense, the Staria has Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM), Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go that keeps the SCC running even when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
Other features are Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Surround View Monitor (SVM), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and High Beam Assist (HBA) that allows for hands-free operation of the high and low beam headlights when oncoming traffic is detected.
The Staria gets momentum from a 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine that produces 177PS and 431Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission is paired with the engine that sends power to the front wheels only. The Staria offers four drive modes — Smart, Normal, Eco and Sport — to suit your driving style.
The Staria Premium retails at RM358,888 with a two-year or 50,000km warranty. Or, you can top up another RM10,000, which brings the price up to RM368,888 and the Staria Premium comes with a five-year/300,000km warranty plus a three-year/50,000km free maintenance service. All prices are on-the-road excluding insurance and minus sales tax. An add-on package which consists of a Roof Monitor Infotainment, Retractable Side-step and 3M Premium Tinting is also available at RM20,000 with the purchase of the Staria Premium.
