The trend of vans or bigger MPVs per se is increasing day by day in India. Being a lot more practical, spacious, and comfortable than an SUV makes them convincing to buy. Moreover, India’s most influential industry - Bollywood, also is a hub, where celebrities prefer such premium, luxurious vans over SUVs. Toyota Velfire, Lexus LM, Kia Carnival Limousine +, etc are some of the great examples of such premium MPVs. Well, recently, one of our Carversal Pros spotted a Hyundai STARIA completely undisguised on the Indian roads. It hints at the probability that Hyundai might launch the STARIA soon in the Indian Automotive market, and here is the reason -

Hyundai - Kia Partnership

Since Hyundai bought Kia Motors, they have been working together on various projects, like Creta-Seltos, Venue-Sonet, Alcazar-Carens, Ioniq-EV6, etc. These projects are basically sharing the essential hardware, like the chassis and engines but, have differentiated themselves well in terms of their design. 

The same case is with the STARIA-Carnival, they are built on Hyundai’s N3 platform which is used in Hyundai Tucson as well. It is a global platform used in various other Hyundai-Kia cars/SUVs. 

Hyundai STARIA Exterior Details

Hyundai STARIA’s styling is typically a van-like but, it does have its premium silhouette with respect to its overall clean design. From the front, it has a small hood, unlike the Carnival. Basically, it gets a slopping design structure starting from the top of the windshield to the Hyundai logo. Above the logo, it also gets the LED DRL. After that, the slope stops and the typical 90-degree front end wall starts that consists of a huge grille from one end to the other which also includes small Turn Indicators on top two ends. The LED Headlamps have been placed on the top two ends, too. Lastly, the ADAS’ front Radar has been placed lower down below the number plate. 

The Side looks exactly like a van but, to make it premium, Hyundai has given it electronically sliding doors that can also be operated through the Remote Key. It runs on 18-inch Alloy wheels, although it gets various designs. No wheel claddings are available on the STARIA but, it does get a slight amount of arches above all the wheels. One of the important highlights is its humongous window area with wide ORVMs, too. 

The Rear end is literally a wall with probably the longest tailgate on any car, it is electronically operated though. Like the rest of its design, the rear end is also plain and simple, which also makes it look basic. On the top, it gets the conventional antenna with a decently big sunroof. 

Hyundai STARIA Dimensions

Even though the STARIA is based on Hyundai’s N3 Platform which is shared with the 2025 Kia Carnival Limousine in India (and worldwide), still, the STARIA happens to be bigger than the Carnival in every term. 

Length - 5255 mm (100 mm longer than the Carnival)

Width - 1997 mm (2 mm wider than the Carnival)

Height - 1990 mm (215 mm taller than the Carnival)

Wheelbase - 3275 mm (185 mm longer than the Carnival)

Hyundai STARIA Interior Details

Like other Hyundais, it is filled with technology and aesthetic styling all around the cabin. Starting with the dashboard, It gets soft touch all around the dashboard with clean-designed AC vents. It also offers two 10.25-inch screens for both Infotainment and Instrument Cluster. The Climate Control system has its own separate operational unit with many buttons for ease. The Infotainment screen, too, has quick functional buttons and rotary dials for media and screen controls. The Driving modes - PRND - have been given in the form of buttons placed below the Climate Control unit. It also gets 64 color options for its ambient lighting that spreads throughout the cabin. 

The STARIA gets its individual Center console which is not connected to the Dashboard, it is basically a big rectangular covered storage area, which is not even placed high enough to act as an Armrest. It does get ambient lighting features on its border. 

The technology front is firm with the basic features, like Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, 360-degree camera system, etc. The cabin also gets two sunroofs - one for the Driver and Co-Driver, and the other one for the Rear passengers. The STARIA comes in two seating options - 7. Unfortunately, the Rear Passenger windows cannot be electronically operated and they can only slide backwards to open slightly. 

The ADAS on offer is a Level-2 unit with Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Keep AssistSafe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Navigation based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Zone, Lane Follow Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Blind View Spotting & Warning, etc. 

The Seating arrangement is quite long, which makes the STARIA have many variants - 

Firstly, it can be bought as a 3-seater, which is known as the Van variant with a storage capacity of 900 kg of cargo. 

Secondly, it comes in a 6-seater configuration, which is known as the Van variant with enough storage capacity, which creates a better balance. 

Thirdly, it can come as a 9-seater, which is called the Wagin variant with 1303 kg of storage capacity when the last two rows are folded. 

Lastly, it comes in a 7-seater configuration, which is also known as the Premium variant, it overall gets 831 L of boot space, and when the last row is folded, it rises to 1303 L.

Hyundai STARIA Powertrain Details

​

Hyundai STARIA gets two powertrains - One is the same 2.2 L Diesel engine used in the Carnival, and the other one is a 1.6 L Petrol engine. 

The 1.6 L Petrol engine will not be sold in India when the STARIA launches. But, it is a Turbo-GDI Petrol engine producing 225 hp and 367 Nm torque. It is mated to a 1.46 kWh battery, which powers a 54 kW motor through a 270 V system. The Top speed of this engine is claimed to be 167 km/h. 

The 2.2 L Diesel engine is the one to be offered in the Indian market and is also the same unit used in the Carnival. It is a 2.2 L CRDi motor that produces 177 hp and 430 Nm torque. It gets an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and all of this setup powers the Front wheels. 

Hyundai STARIA India Launch & Price Details

The Hyundai STARIA will be imported to India which means it comes through the CBU route. Ultimately, it will increase the price of the MPV, which is 45 Lakh rupees in the USA to 70-75 Lakhrupees in India. 

It will most probably arrive in the upcoming year that is 2025 and will rival the likes of Kia Carnival Limousine+, etc.