2023 Hyundai Staria new car review

There are plenty of options for families looking for a new car, but this often overlooked vehicle should be on all shopping lists.

Photo of the new 2021 Hyundai Staria

SUVs dominate the Aussie car market, but big families on the look out for a new ride should consider a less trendy vehicle.

Here is everything you need to know about the Hyundai Staria.

VALUE

If you’re after a people mover that stands out on the road then the Staria is the car for you. It has bulging curves and LED lights that wouldn’t look out of place on a lunar rover. Away from the head-turning looks, the Staria is all about carrying lots of people. It has eight seats in a sizeable wagon body with sliding side doors that make it hard for kids to ding them.

The Staria is an old school people-mover with loads of space and seating for eight.

There are three model grades: plain old Staria, better equipped Elite and top-shelf Highlander. All have alloy wheels, wireless phone charging and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Buyers can choose between a V6 petrol engine driving the front wheels and a four-cylinder turbo diesel driving all four wheels.

By the time you get to the $73,200-drive-away Highlander diesel tested here it’s stacked with trinkets, including heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, electric sliding doors, a double sunroof, powered tailgate, digital instrument cluster, partial leather trim and separate ventilation controls for those in the rear.

It’s futuristic design helps it stand out in the traffic.

COMFORT

The basic body of the Staria is shared with a commercial van, with a tall stance that translates to terrific headroom all around. It’s more of a climb into the cabin than its closest rival, the Kia Carnival.

Top-end Highlander grades come with all the bells and whistles.

Space is brilliant. The second and third-row seats can slide, trading off between knee room in those back rows and luggage carrying capacity, which is cavernous, even with all eight seats filled. The whole tribe can pack generously.

Getting into the third row involves pulling a lever that tilts the seat-back and slides the base forward. It’s not as slick as some but gets the job done, although you’ll be sliding two of the three middle-row seats forward if entering from the kerbside.

The second and third rows can slide, liberating space where needed.

The massive tailgate needs respect in carparks or when you’re near trees or poles. It spreads a long way beyond the rear of the vehicle. The tailgate also has a self-closing feature that senses when people walk away and automatically closes the boot. It can be handy, although the beeping when you’re loading or unloading can become annoying.

SAFETY

The Staria has curtain airbags down each side to protect heads in a side impact. There’s also a centre airbag between the front occupants.

Active safety features include blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, auto braking and safe-exit assist.

Tyre pressure monitors and surround view camera are also handy.

The diesel engine has plenty of grunt to shift the big rig around town.

DRIVING

The Staria’s hearty diesel engine has 430Nm on tap from low in the rev range and shuffles up to speed effortlessly, even if you’ve loaded it up. The eight-speed auto helps keep the engine in its sweet spot, too.

The addition of an all-wheel drive system also helps with tapping into the diesel’s grunt. Plant your right foot and it faithfully transmits that pulling power to the bitumen. And if you want to venture onto gravel or other loose surfaces, the added traction is reassuring.

Massive windows and windscreen provide excellent visibility for the driver.

Good visibility makes piloting this sizeable van relatively easy. The steering is also light and the turning circle respectable, making for easy carpark manoeuvring.

The taller stance may look gangly from behind – and it’ll lean if you get too enthusiastic in the bends – but it’s nicely controlled and never feels unwieldy.

VERDICT 4/5

Futuristic in design, big and built for purpose, the Staria is a useful machine for carrying loads of adults or lanky teens.

ALTERNATIVES

Kia Carnival Platinum diesel, from $71,890, drive-away

Clever layout maximises occupant space in a wagon that is lower than most rivals. Long list of equipment and classy presentation makes it a popular choice for those needing eight seats.

Toyota Granvia 8-seat, from about $75,000 drive-away

A Hiace body transformed into a family wagon, it is available with eight seats, although the fourth row compromises luggage space.

Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline, from about $73,400 drive-away

Comfy middle-row seats can slide and swivel, but overall capacity is limited to seven. Stout diesel engine can be matched to all-wheel drive, but only in the more expensive Premium trim.

HYUNDAI STARIA HIGHLANDER DIESEL

PRICE From $73,200 drive-away

ENGINE 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 130kW and 430Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICE: Five years, unlimited km, $1800 for 5 years/75,000km.

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring, safe-exit assist, surround-view camera

THIRST 8.2L/100km

SPARE: Full size

BOOT 831 litres