Staria, Hyundai’s New Premium MPV, Can Be A Potential Rival To Toyota Innova Crysta

• To be available in two variants: Standard and Premium.
• Can seat up to 11 occupants, but there’s a catch.
• Will come with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a touch-based centre console.
• Could rival the Toyota Innova Crysta and Kia Carnival.

Hyundai has previewed the Staria, its first-ever premium MPV, ahead of its mid-2021 launch. It will be offered in two variants (Standard and Premium) and can accommodate up to 11 occupants. There is also a 2-seater variant for business purposes. 

Hyundai says the Staria has been designed inside-out, prioritizing cabin space. The touch-based centre console unit seems to be inspired by Tesla, and there’s also a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display on offer. The faux AC vents across the dashboard might remind you of an Audi. It also packs a 64-colour ambient mood lamp.

The top-spec 7-seater features a one-touch relaxation mode, which automatically reclines the seat based on your body weight for a comfortable seating position. Buyers opting for the 9-seater can swivel the middle row to face third-row occupants, which is useful for conducting a meeting on the move. The 11-seater Staria will be available in Korea only.

Now, to its exterior design. The Staria’s slab-like silhouette (with the A-pillar) and dropping nose make it look like a typical MPV. But Hyundai has given interesting touches to spice things up. For instance, the DRLs that run across the width of the hood look premium, while the large, rectangular headlamps are placed below it. 

The window line is nice and low, resulting in bigger windows and an airier cabin. The MPV has sliding rear doors, allowing one to easily get in and out of the car when it’s parked in cramped conditions. The vertically stacked LED tail lamps grab eyeballs. 

We expect Hyundai to divulge more details as we inch closer to the launch. Considering the name was trademarked last year in India, the Staria could be launched here as a potential rival to the Toyota Innova Crysta and Kia Carnival.