Hyundai is looking to launch the luxury 7/9 seater Staria in India. As of now the MPV is mainly available in Europe and other Asian markets. The sister company Kia Carnival has already been launched in India and the reception is lukewarm. Kia had stopped the 9 seater variant and is only selling the 7 seater in the country. With a comfortable timeline of April 2022, Hyundai will have all the time it needs to renew the interest in the 5+ metre MPV.
Other than Kia Carnival, Staria will also compete with the upcoming Mahindra TUV 300 Plus. However, it should be noted that even Kia had discontinued the 9 seater variant of the vehicle due to the lack of proper response from the market.
Main Variants of Hyundai Staria in India
Staria is a large MPV that is versatile. This stylish looking minivan is best for your family, especially if you are looking for a spacious multi-seater. The 7-seater vehicle is expected to compete with the Kia Carnival. We are not sure if Hyundai will bring in the 9 seater to India. At present majority of the models are using the left hand drive but customisation for Indian market will definitely happen.
Similar to Kia Carnival, Staria is also expected to arrive as two variants, Staria and Staria Premium and it has loads of cool features. Here’s what we can expect from Hyundai’s Staria.
Hyundai Staria – Engine & Specifications
On the outside, Staria measures a staggering 5230 mm, which is longer than the Kia Carnival. The width of Staria is same as that of Carnival at 1990 mm. Interestingly Staria is also taller than Carnival. With a wheelbase of 3273 mm, Staria is substantially larger than Carnival and the extra room can accommodate more seats and space on the inside of the MPV.
In many markets, Staria is available with two engine choices, petrol and diesel. A 3.5-liter Smartstream G 3.5 MPi petrol engine that makes [email protected] and a 2.2-liter diesel engine that generates [email protected] However, Hyundai has been seen changing the variables within each of its markets. The South Korean models are not the same as the European models. This makes us wonder is the car will have an entirely new specification when it comes to India.
It is to be noted that the Kia Carnival comes with a 2.2 litre diesel engine in India. If history is to indicate anything then, Hyundai will try to use the same engine for the Indian Staria too.
The transmission is either manual or automatic, with 6 speeds on manual transmission models and 8 speeds in automatic models. Either way, the MPV is more than efficient for Indian roads and it has a All-wheel drive system too. It has great looks and it is the major reason for the car’s hype before its launch.
The sufficiently large and powerful engine along with the spacious interiors, Staria could be ideal for fleets.
Hyundai Staria – Exterior & Interior
The exterior of the vehicle is given an iconic rectangular shape featuring a large grille with a chrome mesh pattern. The headlights are LED’s, cut out in a rectangular shape. Unlike other vehicles in the same genre, Staria features huge windows on all sides. Also featured are indicator-mounted ORVMs, automatic sliding doors, and 18-inchdesigner wheels.
When compared with Kia Carnival, the profile of the Staria is much smooth. The rugged profile of the Carnival makes the MPV have an SUVish look. However, Staria will fool no one and it looks like a mini-van. On the rear, the LED tail lamps are vertically positioned.
As for the interiors, the Staria has a spacious 7-seater cabin, automatic climate control, a BOSE premium sound system, and USB ports, along with a multifunctional steering wheel. The dashboard houses a 10.25inch fully digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touch screen infotainment console with the latest connectivity facilities.
Hyundai Staria has two separate sunroofs for both the front rows and the rear ones. This makes it the perfect fleet vehicle for VIPs and family trips.
Hyundai Staria – Safety Features
The safety features of Staria are impressive too. All the variants come with 6 airbags; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist System, Safe Exit Assist System, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System, and Lane Keeping Assist System ensure passenger safety.
One of the coolest safety systems in Staria is the Blind spot Collision Avoidance Assist, which warns the driver about the traffic in the blind spot area. It then brakes automatically to avoid collision. The ADAS system is state of the art and will make an essential addition to the roads of India.
The Highway Drive Assist System is an upgraded cruise control, which will keep the car in the middle of the lane, at a safe distance from the previous vehicle. The Safe Exit Assist will keep the doors locked until it is safe to open them. This is more like a child-lock, but for adults.
There are tons more features in Staria, and we can’t wait for it to be launched in India.
Hyundai Staria Launching Date in India
As for the launch date, it is speculated to be around April 2022. But the exact date has not been announced yet.
Similar to Carnival, Staria could be priced around ₹27 Lakhs and the top end could go all the way above ₹35 Lakhs in India. If you are looking for a safe and comfortable MPV for your family, then Hyundai Staria is the one to buy. You can find space for all the people in your family and fit their luggage too. When it comes to luggage space and seating capacity, Indian market demands more and the Hyundai Staria could deliver it.
The SUV segment in the country looks almost overcrowded with many micro SUV and medium sized SUVs launched in the last year. However, the MPV segment could do well with a couple of more additions. As of now the 7 seater segment is slightly under served with only a handful like Maruti Suzuki XL6 / 7, Ertiga, Toyota Innova, XUV700 and a few other models catering to it. The entry of Hyundai Staria could be an important game changer for both Hyundai and for the Indian automobile market. Are you looking ahead for the luxury 7 or 9 seater in the Indian market? Which one would you buy?
