zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine
The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine-November 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:12:22

Image for article titled The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine

We, you and everyone else fell in love with the Hyundai Staria when it was in shadowy renders back in March. It marked another design win for an automaker that has racked up quite a few of them in recent months, from its retro-futuristic to the sleek, pebble-like .

Today, Hyundai followed up the Staria’s initial reveal with on its van, or MPV if you can’t stomach that description. Of course, the Staria still looks fantastic, and we’re still not getting it here in the States. But what sticks out to me is that underneath that very forward-looking exterior, this van is still propelled by tiny explosions.

When the Staria launches in “select markets” in Europe and Asia in the second half of this year, it’ll debut with a 2.2-liter, 175-horsepower turbodiesel optionally mated to a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto. A 3.5-liter, 268-HP gas engine will also be on offer, but not in Europe. Beyond that, Hyundai says it plans to add “eco-friendly variants in the coming years,” though there’s no word on what those will entail yet. Hydrogen fuel cell and plug-in hybrid models may be in the cards, according to .

Image for article titled The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine

Mind, I’m not complaining about this, but it’s interesting how Hyundai has lifted cues from its next-gen EVs — especially the Ioniq 5 — and placed them in a conventionally powered van. The Staria has the very same “parametric pixel” design to its taillights as that all-electric crossover has, and the open greenhouse, unmissable front lightbar and soft, seamless surfacing really sells the whole spaceship on wheels aesthetic.

It’s a far cry from the likes of the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna we’re so used to seeing on this side of the pond — planet-sized people movers with obnoxious gaping maws, frivolous creases and angular haunches. Those vans try so desperately to be aggressive, sporty, and soothe the egos of those who can’t bear to be perceived behind the wheel of a minivan, and they look so much worse for it. The Staria’s exterior has clearly evolved beyond that pointless game, which is why it’s somewhat surprising its powertrain hasn’t.

Image for article titled The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine

The big window and low belt line make the Staria appear quite small in images, even though it’s actually pretty spacious. It measures 207 inches long, 78.6 inches wide and 78.3 inches tall. For reference, the latest Sienna is 204 inches long, 78.5 inches wide and 68.5 inches tall.

Inside, there’s less to say. The Staria will be offered in configurations that can sit anywhere from two to 11 people, in both standard and Premium guises. If you opt for the 9-seat Premium version, the second-row seats can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row. In the 7-seat version, those seats don’t swivel, but they do recline and move backwards and forwards electronically.

A 64-color “ambient mood lamp” envelops the cabin, bathing the inside of the doors and trim with subtle light that at least looks pretty good in these renders. Though not all Starias will be that fancy; in time, Hyundai expects to churn out purpose-built versions, to serve as ambulances, limousines and campers.

Image for article titled The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine

Image for article titled The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine

Image for article titled The Hyundai Staria Van Only Looks Futuristic, And That's Fine

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Nov 14, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Nov 14, 2025
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Nov 14, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Nov 14, 2025
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Nov 14, 2025
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Nov 14, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved