2026 Hyundai Staria assessment | CarExpert

Hyundai has made some massive modifications to its Staria folks mover vary. And no, we’re not speaking in regards to the very modest facelift that is been utilized to this polarising three-row van.

The Korean model’s Aussie arm has moved to simplify the lineup with a method that sees the entry-level diesel and petrol variations begin beneath $55,000, whereas a brand new range-topping petrol-electric hybrid Lounge variant is coming quickly for nearly $20,000 extra.

It’s the bottom grades we’re specializing in right here, the diesel specifically. And it has seen an enormous change, too, with its all-wheel drive system downgraded to front-drive, and there have been loads of different spec changes, together with some welcome ones…

However others? I’d say they’ve made this a worse automobile than earlier than. I’ll clarify why as we go alongside.

How a lot does the Hyundai Staria price?

With simply two variants within the ‘common’ Staria vary to select from, and a brand new hybrid flagship on the way in which, the up to date model of this folks mover nonetheless argues a powerful case in terms of pricing.

Nonetheless, it isn’t as low cost because it was, and whereas a few of the customary tools has been improved, there have been some questionable choices on the spec sheet. You’ll see a deep rundown should you scroll down.

We are going to assessment the Staria Lounge hybrid mannequin at a later date, however that near-$20k worth bounce makes it a tough capsule to swallow – particularly contemplating it has seven seats, whereas the decrease grades get the extra beneficiant eight-seat structure.

Rivals you might contemplate embrace the best-selling Kia Carnival, or the Ford Tourneo. Costlier three-row van choices embrace the plug-in hybrid GAC M8 and the all-electric Denza D9. 

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s the Hyundai Staria like on the within?

There have been a number of modifications to the Staria’s cabin for this replace, together with a brand new leather-appointed steering wheel with Hyundai’s four-dot Morse code motif and, truthfully, it feels a lot nicer within the hand than the earlier tiller.

There’s additionally a bigger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen changing the previous 10.25-inch unit. It does not have built-in satellite tv for pc navigation, however wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary, and that is in all probability what most homeowners will use anyway.

The system itself is straightforward sufficient to navigate, with loads of menus and configurability. There’s even a devoted ‘Service Mode’, which may disable sure driver help options should you’re carrying one thing hooked up to the automobile.

The standard customisation choices for the instrument cluster and car settings is feasible through the on-screen menus, together with the driver-assist methods. However importantly, Hyundai has resisted the temptation to bury every thing contained in the touchscreen.

There are bodily shortcut buttons beneath the show, rotary dials for audio quantity and tuning, and a correct air-conditioning panel with precise buttons and knobs.

This base Staria grade misses out on local weather management regardless of some earlier Staria variants having it. As a substitute, it has a handbook air-conditioning setup, which works completely properly. Rear passengers get their very own temperature and fan-speed controls, too, with a panel mounted above the second-row driver-side seat.

Different useful touches embrace a six-seat seatbelt indicator panel, a quick-access digicam button (regardless of the actual fact it’s simply linked to a reversing digicam as of late!) and an Auto Maintain operate.

The diesel now will get engine idle-stop expertise, too. When you do not prefer it, you’ll be able to disable it, however you will want to take action each time you drive the automobile.

The column-mounted gear selector takes some getting used to, significantly should you’ve received lengthy legs, however when you get used to its operation it is easy sufficient.

The steering wheel controls are acquainted, with adaptive cruise management, lane-centring help and media controls all shortly learnable.

Storage is likely one of the Staria’s strongest fits.

There is a shelf forward of the driving force, one other shelf in entrance of the passenger, a large glovebox, wi-fi cellphone charging dock, USB-C ports and a hidden storage space beneath the floating centre console. The detachable cupholder association between the entrance seats additionally permits for extra storage beneath if required, too.

Curiously, solely the driving force will get a dash-mounted cupholder. The entrance passenger misses out, which appears an odd omission in a car that is in any other case very sensible.

There are bottle holders within the doorways, however the supplies themselves are decidedly utilitarian. Onerous plastics abound and the fabric seats are manually adjustable, with no heating or air flow, and no electrical adjustment nor reminiscence capabilities.

In comparison with some earlier variations, this one feels downright fleet-focused.

However there are illuminated self-importance mirrors and extendable solar visors – one thing you will recognize should you’re driving throughout twilight hours.

However a number of different issues are absent. There isn’t any sun shades holder, and no auto-dimming rear-view mirror both. 

Within the center row with the driving force’s seat set for my 6’0” (182cm) body, there’s loads of room; kneeroom is beneficiant, shoulder room is great, and headroom is sort of limitless.

Rear passengers get overhead air vents, these fan and temperature controls, map pockets, machine pockets, bag hooks, USB-C charging ports and pop-out cupholders. There’s even a storage drawer beneath the seat, which is useful, although mother and father ought to in all probability test it sometimes for forgotten meals scraps.

Second-row window seats embrace ISOFIX anchors and there are three top-tether factors, too.

However this brings me to certainly one of my largest frustrations: there aren’t any child-seat anchor factors within the third row. 

Truthfully, I feel that is an enormous miss. Not solely does the Kia Carnival supply them, however even the Hyundai Santa Fe and Palisade SUVs provide you with third-row top-tethers. In a folks mover like this, it’s an issue to not have them.

Nonetheless, entry to the third row within reason easy. You may slide and tumble the second-row seats, however there are a few totally different mechanisms concerned and it takes slightly extra fiddling than with some rivals.

And when you’re within the again row, you will discover it fairly accommodating.

Even with the second-row seats set again, I had sufficient legroom and foot area to suit. Headroom, once more, is excellent. Rear occupants additionally get overhead vents, USB-C cost ports, cupholders, storage pockets, seize handles and coat hooks.

The seats slide fore and aft to assist stability passenger and baggage area, however adjusting them from the third-row place is not straightforward.

Actually, it’s fairly clear that area is not the problem. Usability is.

Within the boot, too, there are some variations to the class-leaders in terms of capability and usefulness. 

The tailgate itself is heavy and shorter folks will battle to achieve it when closing the boot. An electrical tailgate (beforehand supplied with the Elite grade, together with the electrical sliding aspect doorways that this automobile misses out on!) would resolve that.

However with all eight seats in place, there’s nonetheless an enormous quantity of baggage area behind the third row. You may slide the seats ahead, fold the backrest flat or, should you want most practicality, flip up the seat bases and create one thing approaching a cargo van.

There are purchasing bag hooks in every single place, and the Staria is undoubtedly versatile, nevertheless it does not fairly match the Carnival’s cleverness with its underfloor storage options and hideable third-row seats.

As a substitute, underneath the ground of this car there’s an underslung full-size spare wheel.

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The large information right here is that Hyundai has axed the helpful inclusion of all-wheel drive for the diesel Staria, which is now front-drive just like the petrol V6 variant.

I feel this can be a mistake. I imply, it wasn’t an off-roader, nevertheless it did ship an added degree of composure and traction on moist or unfastened surfaces that isn’t there anymore.

There are some enhancements to gasoline economic system by eradicating the AWD system, however the diesel now has an engine idle-stop system which may annoy some folks.

I didn’t thoughts it, and I used to be impressed that my gasoline consumption was sub-10L/100km over a mixture of open-road freeway and low-speed city driving. Bear in mind, although, that I didn’t load up all eight seats. When you do, it’ll be extra of a guts.

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How does the Hyundai Staria drive?

Truthfully, I reckon the diesel is the decide if you cannot stretch to the hybrid.

I have never pushed the hybrid but, however based mostly on what we find out about that powertrain, I think it’s going to be the sweetest spot however for a worth…

However with all-wheel drive now not a part of the usual equation for this diesel, I might argue it’s not as compelling as earlier than.

There is a wholesome quantity of torque being despatched to the entrance wheels and you may sometimes overwhelm them should you’re heavy-footed. Fortunately, the way in which it delivers its grunt is fairly measured, so in most conditions that is not a difficulty, even when the usual tyres aren’t precisely the final phrase in grip.

In any other case, that is only a actually nice factor to drive. And that is vital, as a result of this can be a massive household bus. 

Visibility is great, helped by the high-ish seating place and the large glasshouse, and it actually does really feel like a fishbowl if you’re on the transfer. Nonetheless, I actually assume deleting the surround-view digicam from this up to date mannequin was an enormous mistake.

Certain, it is simple sufficient to put when parking, however having that additional visibility throughout driveway and purchasing centre manoeuvres is one thing homeowners will miss in comparison with the previous mannequin. It’s the incorrect sort of cost-cutting. 

However regardless of its sheer dimension, it by no means feels cumbersome to drive, with fantastically gentle steering round city and surprisingly direct response at tempo. That makes it simpler to drive than you’d assume.

The turning circle is surprisingly agreeable, and the experience consolation is nice, too.

Its lengthy wheelbase helps maintain issues collectively over bumps and lumps, permitting the suspension to clean out imperfections with composure. It is a very comfy household cruiser.

However the velocity signal recognition system could be a bit chirpy, although you’ll be able to silence it with an extended press of the mute button every time you drive. There’s additionally a button to disable the lane-keeping help should you don’t prefer it.

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

What do you get?

I’ve already made it clear that there are some vital spec modifications right here, so let’s run by means of the mannequin vary inclusions.

2026 Hyundai Staria tools highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with full-size spare
• Rear spoiler
• LED tail-lights
• LED headlights
• LED daytime-running lights
• Heated power-adjustable aspect mirrors
• 4.2-inch instrument show with digitised velocity, RPM readouts
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (new, up from 10.25-inch)
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluelink connected-car expertise
• Over-the-air software program updates (new)
• Material seat upholstery
• Leather-based steering wheel
• Digital park brake

It’s not a foul checklist of ordinary equipment, however it’s definitely a base-spec expertise, and the worth is up nearly $4000 in comparison with the pre-update mannequin.

Beforehand should you have been spending about this a lot in your Staria, you’d find yourself within the Elite grade, which included:

• Energy sliding aspect doorways
• Energy tailgate with auto-close
• Leather-based-appointed inside
• Automated local weather management – entrance, rear
• 12-way energy driver’s seat
• Curtain shades for 2nd and third rows

So, it’s honest to say, you’re paying extra and never getting as a lot.

That time is particularly poignant in terms of the protection gear, as a result of the Staria was beforehand offered as customary with a surround-view digicam system, arguably crucial characteristic for a household automobile of this dimension.

However now it’s gone. As a substitute, you get a reversing digicam in these grades, and the 360-degree digicam is obtainable completely within the top-spec Staria.

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

Is the Hyundai Staria secure?

The Hyundai Staria has a five-star ANCAP security score following crash-testing in 2021.

Commonplace security options embrace:

• 7 airbags – twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance aspect, and curtain protection for all three rows of seats
• Autonomous emergency braking with multi-collision brake
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Lane Following Help (lane-centring)
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Protected exit warning
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam

As talked about, the prevailing Staria supplied patrons far more, together with the standard-fit surround-view digicam, which has been eliminated.

And beforehand in mid-spec variants you might additionally get a 3D view for the surround-view digicam, and premium grades had the intelligent Blind-Spot View Monitor that displayed digicam footage of the car’s blind spot within the instrument cluster.

If you need all that, you’ll need to fork out $20k extra for the Lounge hybrid.

Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity, which incorporates computerized collision notification, an emergency name (SOS) operate, and distant providers together with geo-fencing, valet, velocity and time alerts.

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

How a lot does the Hyundai Staria price to run?

Hyundai has a reasonably robust possession promise for the Staria, and the combustion-only variations – not like the hybrid – have prolonged service intervals.

To see how the Hyundai Staria traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai Staria

Truthfully, it seems like Hyundai has taken what was a superb folks mover and made it much less good.

The model might have pushed costs slightly larger and saved the stuff that was customary, just like the surround-view digicam system. Heck, make it $59,990 and put pretend leather-based trim, electrical aspect doorways, an electrical boot, and an auto-dimming mirror in, too. 

I feel Hyundai has pared the vary again an excessive amount of for the entry-level Staria variant.

It’d appease fleet prospects, however it’s a much less recommendable household car because of the modifications on this replace.

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