Hyundai Motor, one of the world’s largest automakers, has introduced an updated version of the Staria, a multi-purpose van sold in South Korea that straddles the line between a family minivan and a light commercial vehicle, as the company refines its approach to a segment increasingly shaped by efficiency demands and changing mobility needs.
First launched in 2021, the Staria has now received its first major refresh. The update centers on improved in-car technology, quieter and more stable driving characteristics, and expanded electrified powertrain options.
Although the model is not currently offered in the United States, its positioning reflects how Hyundai is thinking about vehicle categories that, in the American market, are dominated by models such as the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and Ford Transit.
In South Korea, the Staria is sold in a wide array of configurations, ranging from passenger-focused versions to cargo models aimed at shuttle services, small businesses, and commercial fleet operators.
Hyundai continues to offer both liquefied petroleum gas and hybrid powertrains, a combination that underscores the company’s effort to balance operating costs, fuel efficiency, and emissions reductions in markets where alternative fuels remain relevant.
The exterior changes are evolutionary rather than dramatic, but they sharpen the Staria’s futuristic identity. A single horizontal daytime running light now stretches across the front of the vehicle, replacing the earlier segmented design and visually widening the stance.
Branding is subtly integrated into the lighting, while a simplified grille emphasizes a clean, technology-forward look. A more premium Lounge variant adds chrome detailing and heavier bumper elements, signaling its positioning toward private passenger use rather than work duty.
Inside, Hyundai has focused on usability and spatial efficiency, priorities for vehicles that often function as both transport and workspace.
The dashboard adopts a horizontal layout, anchored by 12.3-inch digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system.
Physical buttons have been restored for frequently used controls, a shift that reflects growing pushback against touch-only interfaces, particularly among drivers who spend long hours on the road.
Additional storage areas and easier cabin access reinforce the Staria’s practical orientation. Powertrain offerings emphasize efficiency over outright performance. Hybrid models pair a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing 180 horsepower and about 195 lb-ft of torque, with combined fuel economy of roughly 30 miles per gallon.
LPG variants use a 3.5-liter engine delivering up to 240 horsepower and approximately 231 lb-ft of torque, with fuel economy around 15 miles per gallon, depending on specification.
Mechanical updates target ride quality and noise reduction, areas that matter disproportionately for commercial and shuttle operators.
Hyundai has reinforced suspension components to improve stability at highway speeds and revised rear dampers on cargo models to smooth out ride characteristics on everyday roads.
Additional sound insulation has been applied throughout the vehicle to reduce engine and road noise, particularly under acceleration and at idle.
Technology upgrades include Hyundai’s latest connected infotainment system, standard over-the-air software updates, and a refreshed digital interface.
Convenience and safety features such as walk-away door locking, expanded voice recognition, and advanced driver-assistance systems are also included, aligning the Staria with expectations for modern fleet and passenger vehicles.
Pricing in South Korea starts at roughly $22,000 for LPG-powered cargo models, with hybrid versions priced below $26,000. Passenger-oriented trims and the premium Lounge variant extend into the low-$30,000 range, making the Staria comparatively affordable next to many electrified vans offered in global markets.
For now, the Staria remains a Korea-only product. But its latest update offers insight into Hyundai’s broader ambitions in the van segment, as automakers worldwide adjust to rising demand for flexible, hybrid-powered vehicles that can serve families, businesses, and mobility services alike.
Mechanical updates target ride quality and noise reduction, areas that matter disproportionately for commercial and shuttle operators.
Hyundai has reinforced suspension components to improve stability at highway speeds and revised rear dampers on cargo models to smooth out ride characteristics on everyday roads.
Additional sound insulation has been applied throughout the vehicle to reduce engine and road noise, particularly under acceleration and at idle.
Technology upgrades include Hyundai’s latest connected infotainment system, standard over-the-air software updates, and a refreshed digital interface.
Convenience and safety features such as walk-away door locking, expanded voice recognition, and advanced driver-assistance systems are also included, aligning the Staria with expectations for modern fleet and passenger vehicles.
Pricing in South Korea starts at roughly $22,000 for LPG-powered cargo models, with hybrid versions priced below $26,000.
Passenger-oriented trims and the premium Lounge variant extend into the low-$30,000 range, making the Staria comparatively affordable next to many electrified vans offered in global markets. For now, the Staria remains a Korea-only product.
But its latest update offers insight into Hyundai’s broader ambitions in the van segment, as automakers worldwide adjust to rising demand for flexible, hybrid-powered vehicles that can serve families, businesses, and mobility services alike.
