The Hyundai Staria’s Got All the Space You Need

It was Maroon 5’s Adam Levine who once said that he was aware that some people don’t like his voice; they complained that it’s too high-pitched and whiny at times. But the artist clapped back at his haters and said that he didn’t concern himself too much with critics and that he was proud of his distinctive set of pipes. Whether you liked his voice or not, it didn’t matter because it was unique, and people instantly knew that it was his. 

Photo by Arnie Bugay.

The same logic can apply to automobiles, particularly one like the Hyundai Staria. Some people may have criticized the South Korean brand’s head-turning look, but, at the end of the day, that’s a plus because people can instantly tell what make and model it is when they see it on the roads.

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Driving the Hyundai Staria

The Staria is Hyundai’s classy MPV but it wouldn’t be totally inaccurate to call it a minivan. Its most distinctive feature is its futuristic front, with horizontal daytime running lights (DRLs) and a positioning lamp that runs across the entire front width. Instantly you know it’s the ideal vehicle for a family with two, three or even kids. Depending on the seating configuration, one can even throw in titos and titas and grandparents and there’ll be plenty of space left over. 

Photo by Arnie Bugay.

Photo by Hyundai Motor Europe.

The unit we test-drove, however, was the Premium variant that had seven seats in the 2-2-3 configuration. The two in the middle were captain’s seats, with soft supple leather in tan and electronically adjustable and can even be warmed or cooled depending on your preferences. If you find yourself lucky enough to be a second-row passenger in the Staria, you’re in for a luxuriously grand experience. Even if you have to go through horrific EDSA traffic or a long road trip with friends, it won’t seem as bad if you’re safely and comfortably ensconced in the captain’s chair of the Staria.

Other Premium features include ambient lighting strips around the interior, multiple storage and cupholders, as well as charging ports (USB Type A). Wireless charging is alo available in front. It’s easy to imagine the unit becoming an apartment on wheels, particularly for busy executives on the go.

Even for leisure drives for family and friends the Staria is an ideal companion. There are no issues with space, even for third row occupants, the air con is nice and chilly (which I especially welcome when it’s crazy hot outside), and the panoramic glass windows gives passengers a great view of the world outside. 

Driver benefits

While it was nice to spend time feeling like a VIP in the second row, the Staria doesn’t skimp on driver benefits. With a 2.2-liter CRDi Diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic and AWD drivetrain, the unit is as fun and enjoyable to drive as any other Hyundai or MPV for that matter. There are adjustable arm rests for the driver, there is Android Auto (or Apple Carplay) for easy connectivity to the infotainment system, and lots of additional storage compartments in the front row.

Photo by Arnie Bugay.

Depending on your driving style, you can choose from three Drive Modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—and all three work as one world expect. Eco is to keep things as fuel efficient as possible, Sport is for when you’re looking for a bit more power and speed, and Normal is well, self-explanatory. One neat trick is how the colors of the fully digital instrument cluster change when you switch drive modes, with Eco in predominantly white, blue for Normal, and red for Sport. Sound is also decent wherever in the unit you’re seated, thanks to a 12-speaker Bose system.

Photo by Arnie Bugay.

We drove the Staria on pockmarked city streets, paved highways, and provincial back roads and it performed effortlessly in every situation. Whether I was a driver or passenger, the unit surpassed all expectations. If you’re ever on the lookout for an MPV for your growing family, or just want a spacious and comfortable “road condo” because you spend so much time out on the streets, the Staria is one that will give you the most bang for your buck. And you don’t even have to worry about its distinctive looks. Perhaps even Adam Levine would approve.