The new VW Multivan is hardly in the starting blocks, as the Hyundai Staria is already a new and very ambitious competitor.
Hyundai wants to get the minibus out of the utility value niche. With the Staria, the Koreans bring a futuristic lifestyle competitor against the VW Multivan, Mercedes V-Class and Co. onto the road in the second half of the year. In addition to car variants, there will later also be vans and other models for commercial use.
Above all, the narrow strip of daytime running lights on the front of the Staria is unusual. The reduced light design, together with the very smooth and monolithic body, gives the minibus an unusually futuristic look, not just for a commercial vehicle. The interior of the bus is also very modern with its clearly designed cockpit and extra-large 10,25-inch display. For the passengers in the second row, depending on the variant, electrically adjustable business class seats are available, ambient lighting with 64 colors should also ensure well-being in all seats. In Korea there will be the Staria with up to eleven seats, in Germany it will probably end at nine.
Hyundai promises a particularly generous feeling of space in all seats, to which the new platform with 3,27 meters wheelbase also plays its part. For the cargo versions submitted from 2022, Hyundai has announced a cargo space of almost 5.000 liters. The total length of the Staria is 5,25 meters in both cases.
For the drive a diesel with 130 kW / 177 PS is initially planned, which can be combined with a manual six-speed gearbox or an eight-speed automatic. Other drives are to follow later, including an electric version with a fuel cell.
The Hyundai bus also wants to score points with its assistance systems. Among other things, there is a blind spot warning device that prevents the sliding side doors from opening when vehicles approach. A passenger alarm is also available, which sounds if someone is still in the interior after the parked vehicle has been locked.
The manufacturer does not name prices for the Staria. The competitors usually start as car variants in the range above 35.000 euros. In addition to the V-Class and the soon to be renewed Multivan, models such as the Opel Zafira Life, the Ford Tourneo Custom and the Renault Trafic Combi are among the competitors. In addition, the electric new edition of VW's retro Bulli, which will be based on the ID Buzz study, will be launched shortly.