Hyundai’s all-new Staria multi-purpose vehicle has arrived in South Africa and is expected to be introduced in Namibian showrooms by early next year. With four derivatives ranging from Executive to Luxury, and available from two to 11 seater formations, the Staria features a futuristic design and delivers a ride quality and premium experience that denotes the massive strides made by its Korean manufacturer since its humble beginnings five decades ago.
The Staria’s debut furthers Hyundai Motor’s transformation as a Smart Mobility Solution Provider and embodies the company’s “inside-out” design methodology that emphasizes interior spaciousness and usability.
The Staria is Hyundai’s response to shifting consumer needs by offering them purposeful, innovative features and redefining in-car travel experiences in line with the company’s vision of “Progress for Humanity”.
The complete Staria range will be available in 2 to 11-seat configurations and is initially launched with three variants – the Luxury, Elite and Executive, with various seating configurations, features and trim levels. A Staria Panel Van and a versatile five-seater version, similar to the previous H1 Multicab, will be added to the local range next year.
The Staria Luxury and Elite versions are elevating mobility to the next level with upgraded features and variant-exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Staria, which is a big step forward and represents Hyundai’s vision of future mobility – it gives real meaning to ‘next level’. Experiencing the superior ride quality, outstanding fit and finish and the comfort levels in the STARIA proves how much Hyundai has developed as a global vehicle manufacturer and one of the top-rated automotive brands,” said Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Evoking the streamlined form of a spaceship, Staria’s sleek exterior is defined by a single stroke running from front to rear — inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.
The Staria’s front is embellished with horizontal daytime running lights (DRLs) and a positioning lamp, together running across the width of the vehicle, complemented by a bold, wide radiator grille with a unique pattern. Its clean silhouette is further accented by a pair of low-set headlamps. Hyundai uses the same body colour for all front parts to maximize the vehicle’s modern and pure style.
The Staria Luxury model features an exclusive tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles to emphasize the vehicle’s premium and modern look.
The Staria interior applies a simple and modest layout to highlight the driver’s convenience and passengers’ comfort, while staying faithful to its original value as an MPV. The cruise ship-inspired interior delivers an open and unique atmosphere through its innovative design architecture. The vehicle’s lower beltlines and panoramic windows create a spacious, stimulating environment for all passengers.
The driver and passenger seats in the first row are designed to offer a feeling of space and comfort. The STARIA’s simple interior layout focuses only on the essentials to provide more room and flexibility to passengers. The glove compartment in the first-row passenger’s seat is moved forward to provide extra legroom space.
The driver’s seat has a futuristic high-tech look with an advanced 8-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever for the Luxury and Elite versions. The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard, providing an unobstructed view for the driver.