A few months ago, our colleague Francesc Pla gave us an exclusive test of this same Hyundai Staria, a report that already talked about the curious approach of this vehicle, an old-school minivan, but with the technology and aesthetics of current models.
Apart from the design of its body, large and with an aesthetic that reminds us of a spaceship designed to attract attention, the truth is that this is a vehicle for a very specific market niche, since the Staria is a car designed for large families and for transporting people.
At 5.25 meters long and two meters wide and high, it is capable of offering us three rows of seats and up to nine seats. This is achieved thanks to the first row with a double seat on the passenger side and integral three-seater rear bench seats, each with asymmetric folding in the central row and integral in the third row.
Its access is made through two enormous electrically operated sliding doors, which completely clears the entrance to the central row. Accessing the 3rd row is more complicated as it requires one of the sections of the central seat to be folded down in a somewhat complicated manual maneuver.
Apart from that, they are huge seats, very comfortable and with considerable space and large windows, although with guillotine-type windows for the power stations and folding ones for the third row. The two rear rows have their own air conditioning outlets as well as an independent control in the central seats.
In the front seats of this version of the Staria, they offer us two seats, the conventional driver's and the passenger's, which is actually a small double bench, which can be expanded with a narrow seat between the driver and the passenger itself or fold it down as an armrest to act as a storage table between the two.
The truth is that this space is designed for sporadic use, since it is very narrow for the occupant himself, in addition to conditioning the mobility of the driver and especially that of the other passenger.
The load capacity is another of the qualities of this Hyundai, although we must take into account two somewhat conditioning factors. The first is the huge vertical opening tailgate, which although it is electrically operated (necessary given its great weight) the rear space it needs to open is very considerable, in addition to increasing the overall height of the vehicle a few more centimeters. So be careful with the parking lots.
The second point is that the two rear rows of seats are always fixed to the floor, and although they can be moved longitudinally, the seatbacks folded or the bench seats folded forward, the resulting surface is not the most useful for loading large objects.
Despite everything, with the nine seats in running order, the trunk has a capacity of 831 liters, expandable up to 1,303 liters if the two rear rows are folded down and moved forward.
And it is that, unlike other rivals that usually derive from industrial models, this Staria does so from a more tourism aspect and that is noticeable, not only in the design concept, but also in the quality of materials and its equipment. .
Equipment that includes leather upholstery for all seats, the aforementioned double climate control or the modern approach of the dashboard with separate double screens, both 10.25 inches, with excellent viewing and with the complete connectivity that Hyundai already offers in all their models.
The driving position is undoubtedly high and although the layout of the main frame and controls scatters the controls and information for us a bit, we will soon take control of all of them, including the sophisticated, although not very fast push-button gear selector .
The numerous holes, glove compartments and shelves in the front seats also stand out, although the rear ones also have their dose of holes and even coasters. Definitely a very functional concept.
Mechanically, this model only comes with the 2.2 CRDi diesel engine with 177 hp and 430 Nm, which together with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission and torque converter guarantee the Green or C environmental label.
Of course, it is not the most sustainable engine in the current Hyundai offer, but it is more than enough to guarantee a remarkable dynamic response, whether empty or full load thanks to that enormous delivery of torque at low and medium revs and the efficiency of your change.
It has three modes of operation, but Sport is the most reactive, compared to Eco mode, which blurs performance delivery to maintain official consumption at an average of 8.3 liters per 100 km. The reality is that it will almost always be around 10 liters or more in quiet driving, at least that is what we have registered during this test.
And it is that, of course, the philosophy of the Staria is very familiar, with a very large frame, with a generous 3.27-meter wheelbase and a 1.72-meter width between wheels, as well as an independent front suspension McPherson and a rear by torsion bar and that in general are configured to ensure maximum comfort.
The undercarriage is very well insulated from noise and vibrations, (the same as the passenger compartment in general) in addition to proposing a relatively elastic suspension setting and capable of assuming a certain dynamism compared to most rivals that derive from philosophy frames more industrial.
Obviously it is not a very agile car, neither in the city, due to its dimensions, nor on the highway. Its 2.2 tons empty, its total height and its familiar nature do not invite this, in addition, in terms of safety it comes with a very complete package of driving aids, in fact, it does so with all the top technology currently available. It has Hyundai in all its ranges.
Among these elements we find the alert system and proactive lane keeping, brake assistance with recognition of bicycles and pedestrians with stop function in left turns, adaptive cruise control, reversing assistant with camera with warning and braking for cross traffic, door locks to prevent occupants from leaving with side traffic, the speed sign reader or the driver's fatigue warning, among other elements.
In general, this futuristic Hyundai Staria is committed to being a reference model in the segment, both aesthetically, in equipment and in the commitment to habitability, as well as in price. This Tecno version costs 55,000 euros regardless of promotional discounts or brand financing and that is still a more than competitive price in its segment of large-volume family vehicles and passenger capacity.
