Hyundai Staria 2021: fully detailed and coming to Australia later this year

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Hyundai has officially unveiled the 2021 Staria that will land in Australia in the second half of this year.

Available with layouts ranging from a commercial-focused two-seater to a fully-loaded 11-seat configuration, the Staria is set to be a versatile van with a focus on styling and internal space.

While official specifications are yet to be detailed for Australia, there will be two grades available globally known as the Staria and Staria Premium.

As we’ve seen previously the spaceship-inspired design features a single daytime running light across the face of the car, with quite low beltlines and panoramic-like windows across the side of the Staria to provide increased visibility over a traditional van.

Hyundai Motor Group Australia has refused to comment on if the commercial versions of the Staria will replace the iLoad as well as the iMax people mover but the new van looks to be fully capable of fitting the role with a choice of two and three-seat configurations available in the front.

Bigger in every dimension than the iLoad, the commercial version of the Staria will hold almost 5,000 litres of cargo at the rear, enough to store three standard Euro pallets at once.

Hyundai will offer the Staria globally with a choice of two engines including a revised version of the group’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine making 130kW of power and 431Nm of torque and available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

Also available in the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine making 200kW/331Nm and is available only with the automatic transmission.

Hyundai has confirmed both front and all-wheel-drive variants will be available and while it has not detailed the exact configuration we think it’s likely the 2.2-litre diesel commercial van will be front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive in the people mover, with the 3.5-litre likely to follow the same vein as the Hyundai Palisade and only drive the front wheels.

As part of creating a better experience for all passengers on board, Hyundai has given the Staria a proper multi-link suspension set up at the rear which is said to provide increased comfort and control.

The interior of the Staria is where Hyundai wants to make its impression. Said to be inspired by a cruise ship the seven-seat Staria Premium is available with reclining seats in the second row equipped with a relaxation model said to better balance the passenger’s weight for optimal comfort.

A nine-seat configuration of the Staria Premium is also available and gives people in the second row the ability to completely swivel around to face those in the third row, with Hyundai pitching it as an ideal vehicle for corporate businesses who need to have meetings on the go. Sadly, the 11-seat version remains a Korea-only option.

Upfront engineers have pushed back the glove box to open up more legroom for the passenger, with a large centre console sitting between them and the driver equipped with a suite of USBs and cupholders.

Hyundai’s latest 10.25-inch touchscreen will sit in the centre with an additional digital driver’s display directly in front along with handy features such as an intercom system to directly speak to the rear passengers without shouting. 

While we won’t see an ANCAP rating for a while the safety also appears to be excellent with eight airbags in the Australian model, along with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and safe exit assist that stops the doors from opening when it detects an imminent collision with an oncoming car.

Going forward, Hyundai says the Staria will be made available with special versions that will be made into ambulances and even a special camping car, likely built to rival the Volkswagen California Beach.

Hyundai will confirm more details on the Australian specification of the Staria closer to the offical launch date.