[TEST DRIVE] Hyundai calls its Staria Hybrid a 'family car' — not just a commercial van

Hyundai's Staria Hybrid, a stylish minivan with a chic interior, offers reclining seats and an impressive fuel economy.

Staria people mover has returned with a fuel-saving hybrid option [KIA]

PAJU, Gyeonggi — A minivan, or “people mover,” may be the best utilitarian choice for many buyers, but it is usually far from the most stylish or fashionable one.

But Hyundai's retro-futuristic Staria aims to achieve both — as well as cost-effectiveness, with a fuel-saving option.

The Staria has returned with a hybrid electric powertrain and 1.6-liter gasoline engine, cutting against the widely held stereotype that people movers are powered by diesel.

The Korea JoongAng Daily recently took the wheel of Staria Hybrid on a 60-kilometer (37-mile) journey from Goyang to Paju, both in Gyeonggi.

Staria people movers on the road [KIA]

A car for an alien? I should be used to it by now — the new Staria was first launched in 2021 — but seeing the spaceshiplike boxy exterior was still shocking even from a distance.

The Staria was the first vehicle to feature Hyundai's so-called “Inside Out” methodology intending to maximize interior space. Hyundai's Kona, Grandeur and Sonata now follow a similar design.

The reclining seat in the second row reclines almost 180 degrees [KIA]

The big window and sunroof offer Staria a wide and open view [SARAH CHEA]

The first leg of the journey was a chauffeur-driven experience, and Staria surprised this reporter from the start with an open and wild view. Sitting in its seat, which reclines almost 180 degrees, felt like being in bed. Reclining seats are available for all three rows, which could be a plus for families with children.

The car is just over 5.2 meters (17 feet) in length, 2 meters wide and 2 meters tall. The wheelbase, the distance between the front and back wheels, is around 185 millimeters (7 inches) longer than its rival Kia’s Carnival.

The reclining seat in the second row reclines almost 180 degrees [KIA]

This reporter, five feet and three inches in height, sat in the third row and felt that the space was more than enough — but it may not be a good choice for adults over six feet tall.

A nine-seater version is also available, which also comes with swiveling second-row chairs. The seats, which can rotate 90 degrees, make it easier to place children's car seats and to face passengers seated in the third row.

Cup holders and other storage spaces were placed throughout the vehicle, which is clear why Kia markets the Staria as a “family car.”

Once I took the wheel, the car felt bigger than I'd expected it to. The open view from the driver’s seat made the driving easier.

The 10-inch center display seemed it be too small for such a large model. These days, most cars are equipped with at least a 12-inch or 13-inch display, though they are sedans or much smaller SUVs.

Interior of Staria people mover [KIA]

Driving was smooth and quiet, even when the car accelerated at more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour of speed or made sudden turns. I did not feel that the body seemed to float when I made big turns, which is always the biggest problem for cars of this size.

But the driving was quite heavy compared to Carnival, which had a softer feel — perhaps due to the larger size.

Engine and wind noise were noticeable on highways, which made the driving a bit unpleasant.

But the car's fuel economy is its most appealing factor. The Staria people mover recorded 13.1 kilometers per liter (0.26 gallons) of fuel, much higher than its claim of 12.4 kilometers per liter, though the heater was fully turned on during the two-hour test drive.

The rear of the Staria people movers [KIA]

That’s a far better result than those of the diesel-powered Staria, which offers 11.3 kilometers per liter and the LPG version that allows 6.7 kilometers per hour.

The sticker price of the Staria people mover starts from 46.14 million won ($34,107).

Hybrids are currently king of the road in Korea, with total sales jumping 42.5 percent to 391,000 units last year. Now it takes up to more than 20 percent of all cars on Korea's roads.

Staria people mover on the road [KIA]

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]