Its name doesn’t mean anything to anyone, but the Hyundai Staria deserves to be known by large families and transport professionals (taxis and VTCs) as its performance competes with those of the best vans. And for less.
Sold in South Korea since 2021 and very common in Asia, the Hyundai Staria is now available on our market. Its tall and tall build (5.26 m long and 1.99 m high) positions it in the van category. However, it has the silhouette of an XXL MPV, since what makes it original (its very smooth front end) is inspired by the MPVs of yesteryear with a panoramic windscreen in the extension of the bonnet.
The futuristic bodywork of the Hyundai Staria is highlighted by a thin LED strip at the front, vertical checkered lights at the rear and a very low body line in favor of the glass surface, which has become rare these days. The Staria is accessed through sliding doors in the rear, and the cabin can accommodate up to nine passengers thanks to the three rows of three-seater seats. But, as we will see, sometimes you have to elbow your way around.
Hyundai Staria Hybrid Review
The Staria is available with a single engine. This is the hybrid powertrain that we already know under the hood of the Tucson SUV. This package consists of a 160 hp four-cylinder petrol engine, a 73 hp electric motor and a small 1.49 kWh battery. This installation does not interfere with the interior layout of the van, and the whole develops a combined power of 225 hp and 350 Nm.
You are very comfortable behind the wheel with a dominant position and an unobstructed view thanks to the panoramic windscreen and generous side windows. The adjustable armrest and the speedometer block that can be easily read over the steering wheel. complete the installation. This ergonomics and the supple suspension invite a peaceful ride, which is preferable given the weight and size of the Staria. Approaching roundabouts with caution and not attempting chiseled trajectories in corners are golden rules here.
In any case, we’re not here to stick the kids in the side windows at every turn, but rather to appreciate the overall comfort, the quiet walk and the space on board. In this rather hushed driving atmosphere, the brake pedal stands out because of a dosage that is not always easy to find as is often the case with hybrid vehicles. The engine-gearbox assembly is noticed for its great smoothness, which is a change from the diesel engines usually found on vans.
The Staria alternates between electric and thermal driving phases discreetly and smoothly. The level of performance is in line with what is expected of a large family vehicle, with enough acceleration in everyday use. Driving with due diligence results in very appreciable consumption considering the size with 7.3 l/100 km recorded on our road course. On the motorway, the flow rate easily exceeds the 9 l/100 km mark, while the combustion engine shows itself loudly in accelerations and long ramps. This is the only time when you regret not having a torquey diesel.
Interior and trunk of the Hyundai Staria Executive 2025 van
In the front seats of the Staria, it’s a party of storage with closed compartments on the dashboard (in the central part and facing the driver), a double overcab, cup holders at the ends and three-storey stowage compartments in the doors. Want more? Simply fold down the central backrest for new storage.
The dashboard is rather ordinary with a full-size multimedia screen and unattractive sensitive controls for the air conditioning. But they have the merit of existing to facilitate the use of air conditioning and heating. As is often the case with Hyundai, digital ergonomics is not easy to grasp because of the maze of menus and sub-menus distributed behind the many icons. On the other hand, the well-made plastics used for the furniture and the precise assemblies testify to a serious construction. The Executive trim of our test model concludes that the atmosphere is closer to that of a passenger car than a van converted into a passenger transporter.
The distribution of the nine seats into three passengers per row involves some sacrifices. In row 1 (at the front), the narrow central seat forces you to elbow your way in, unless you are putting a child in it. The same is true in third place. On the other hand, the comfortable width in row 2 (the middle row, directly accessible via the electric sliding doors) allows you to easily seat three adults, especially since the legroom and headroom are generous. The Staria MPV should therefore be considered as an occasional 9-seater or as a 7-seater where everyone is comfortable, even in the last row.
The modularity of the Staria is based on the sliding of the bench seats in rows 2 and 3 to modulate the volume of the boot and legroom. The volume of the boot varies from 831 to 1303 litres depending on the position of the last bench seat (which folds down), which allows you to enjoy a large boot with seven passengers comfortably seated. Large families will appreciate it. The manoeuvre to slide the seats is easy. On the other hand, it is impossible to extract the third row, which would have made it possible to obtain a real hold in the rear in a 6-seater configuration to easily take bikes or other items.
Price and penalty of the Hyundai Staria large MPV
Two trim levels are available on the Staria Hybrid 225: Creative at €57,400 and Executive at €61,500 as our test model. These prices are well placed in the face of the competition, especially since the standard equipment is generous (see list at the end of the article). The penalties knock out the buyers of this type of car for large families with a tax of €17,247 for the CO2 and €10,280 for weight. Fortunately, there are ways to remove these obstacles when you are an entrepreneur or have a large family to support.
A legal entity (for a VTC or taxi activity, for example) benefits from a CO allowance2 80 g/km for a vehicle with eight seats or more, and a weight allowance of 500 kg in addition to the 100 kg discount linked to the hybrid engine. There are therefore only €760 in taxes left to pay. For large families (three or more children), the CO allowance2 20 g per child allows you to be reimbursed for the ecological malus by the tax service, while the 200 kg allowance per child exempts you from the weight tax.
What are the competitors for the Hyundai Staria van?
Two major players are in place in the van market for passenger transport. Their models offer passenger vehicle services (interior finish, soundproofing and equipment) similar to those of the Staria: the Mercedes V-Class and the Volkswagen Multivan. In the long version (5.14 m), the star-spangled van starts its offer with a 163 hp, eight-seater diesel and a price of €70,110. Whether in price or equipment, the Staria is better. In addition, the German company does not offer a hybrid version but an electric engine (EQV version) that is more expensive (€87,814) and less durable (363 km of range).
For the Volkswagen Multivan, you have to aim for the long version (5.17 m) in order to get close to the Staria. The German car then has eight seats from €78,460 in the eHybrid version with a 245 hp plug-in hybrid engine. Here too, the price/equipment ratio is much less favourable than that of the Staria.
Our opinion on the Hyundai Staria
- The Hyundai Staria offers performance close to that of passenger cars in terms of comfort, equipment and interior presentation. It deserves its title of XXL MPV, while its price/performance ratio is better than those of the references in the category. In his generosity in terms of habitability, however, he forgets that in France many car parks are less than 2 m high. A pitfall avoided by competitors.
We like
- Space and layout on board
- Standard equipment
- Large glass surfaces
- Suspension comfort and smooth engine
We regret
- Elimination height in many car parks
- Rank 3 Non-Extractable
- Inconsistent braking
Hyundai Staria Hybrid 225 Highlight Specifications
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Length | 5.26 m |
| Width without mirrors | 1.97 m |
| Height | 1.99 m |
| Wheelbase | 3.28 m |
| Trunk volume | 831 to 1,303 l |
| Tank Capacity | 65 l |
| Tires on test model | 235/55 R18 |
| Curb weight | 2,275 kg |
| Engines and performance | |
| Type of combustion engine | 4-cylinder turbo |
| Cylinder capacity | 1,598 cm3 |
| Power and thermal torque | 160 hp – 215 Nm |
| Electric power and torque | 73 hp – 264 Nm |
| Battery capacity | 1.49 kWh |
| Combined power | 225 hp |
| Combined torque | 350 Nm |
| Transmission | front wheels |
| Gearbox | Auto, 6-speed |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 10.2 s |
| Maximum speed | 167 km/h |
| Consumption – CO2 -Malus | |
| Mixed WLTP | 7.6 l/100 km |
| CO releases2 | 172 g/km |
| Malus CO2 – 2025 | €17,247 excluding allowance |
| Weight penalty – 2025 | €10,280 excl. allowance |
| Fiscal power | 8 HP |
| Guarantee | 5 years – unlimited km |
| Country of production | South Korea |
Price and standard equipment of the new Hyundai Staria Hybrid
Creative: €57,400
- 9 seats (3 + 3 + 3 configuration)
- Hands-free access and keyless ignition
- Multimedia system with 10.25″ colour touchscreen and online voice recognition
- Europe navigation system with map update program
- Rearview camera + front and rear parking assist
- Automatic day/night interior mirror
- Active Lane Keeping and Lane Keeping Assist
- Wireless phone charger
- Automatic climate control with automatic defogging function
- Rear climate control
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – wired connection
- 10.25″ digital meters
- Front Upper Storage
- Adaptive cruise control (up to stop) and intelligent speed limiter
- Speed Limit Sign Recognition
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition and intersection function
- Rear side doors with motorized opening and closing
- Smart hands-free tailgate
- Pixel type LED taillights
- Bi-LED front lights
- Smart High Beams
- 17″ alloy wheels
Executive: €61,500
(in addition to Creative)
- Blind spot camera display
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Active Highway Driving Assist
- 360° camera with dynamic guide lines and 3D view
- Integrated sun shades for windows in rows 2 and 3
- Leather upholstery
- Electrically adjustable driver’s seat, including lumbar support
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Active Lane Change Assist
- Blind spot camera display
- 18″ alloy wheels
Hyundai Staria Price in U.S
The Hyundai Staria is currently not offered in the U.S. market—Hyundai has no present plans to sell it stateside
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