2022 Hyundai Staria review

Head-turning looks and acres of room give 2022’s Hyundai Staria big appeal for big families.

Hyundai has enjoyed a substantial foothold in the commercial sector with its iLoad van, while its people-moving iMax played understudy to the Kia Carnival. Now the iMax is making way for a proper people-mover – the eight-seat Hyundai Staria.

Hyundai Staria 2022’s stylish appeal

We spent a week in the diesel AWD Staria. The production design team from RoboCop appears to have informed the van’s frontal styling, with its strip headlight reminiscent of RoboCop’s visor and the nosecone and grille recalling the fearsome visage of ED-209.

This leads to a rectangular windswept body and the overall effect turns heads – while stopped at traffic lights a man in a ute motioned us to wind down the window so he could say what a good-looking van it was.

How much does a 2022 Hyundai Staria cost?

The range starts at $48,500 for the front-wheel-drive 3.5-litre petrol Staria. Above it is the $51,500 AWD Staria that runs Hyundai’s ubiquitous 2.2-litre diesel engine.

The mid-spec Elite models have the same petrol and diesel options for $56,500 and $59,500 respectively, but are more lavishly equipped with leather-appointed seats, sat nav, digital radio and a powered tailgate.

The top-spec Highlander again has the same options for $63,500 and $66,500, but gets heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a passenger camera (so adults can keep an eye on the kids).

What are the features in a 2022 Hyundai Staria?

The Staria’s driver and passenger-side doors open outwards, while access to the second and third rows is via sliding doors on either side. On the base models these doors open manually and there’s no proximity key or button start (such conveniences, along with powered sliding doors, only become standard on the Elite).

While a monotone black interior and cheap dash plastics don’t exactly shout luxury, the leather-look steering wheel softens things, a button-operated transmission is an upmarket touch, and huge panes of glass in the windscreen and side windows give the cockpit a bay-window feel.

The dash layout mostly belongs to last-generation Hyundais (plain, sensible and user-friendly), but a large driver information screen brings the Staria into 2022. A high driving position offers a commanding view of the road and large wing mirrors ensure excellent all-round vision and a minimal blind spot.

The seats are soft and shapeless, though, not ideal for a full day in the saddle. Lack of a centre armrest further detracts from a comfortable driving experience. But such concerns pale in light of the Staria’s abundant space.

All three rows enjoy ample leg, foot and head room and, even with the third row all the way back, the cargo area’s footprint is comparable to that in a Nissan X-Trail and it has enough height for an eight-year-old to stand up inside it.

The downside is a massive rear door, which requires a 1.4-metre clearance behind the van to open. Rows two and three are treated to two USB ports each and the former also has air-con vents in the floor and ceiling. Storage options are everywhere, including 16 cupholders.

How does 2022 Hyundai Staria drive?

No one buys a van for adept handling and the Staria, with its high centre of gravity, doesn’t perform any miracles, although its light steering and tiny turning circle make it manoeuvrable in narrow streets.

One annoyance is the nervous Nellie lane-keeping assistance, which must be calibrated for learner drivers given how frequently and unnecessarily it intervenes.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Staria good for families?

While the Hyundai Staria isn’t the most luxurious family vehicle on the market, it is quite well equipped – and if you want to take a big brood on holidays without feeling cramped, your only alternatives are the Kia Carnival or something a lot more expensive.

Features

• Engine: 3.5-litre V6
• Transmission: eight-speed auto 
• Power: 200kW
• Torque: 331Nm 
• Fuel consumption: 10.5L/100km (claimed) 
• ANCAP: five stars 
• Price: From $48,500 (plus ORC)