2021 Hyundai Staria 2.2 Premium Review

In recent years, competition in the MPV market has become increasingly fierce, and consumers' demand for such vehicles has shifted from being purely transport tools to versatile solutions balancing comfort, features, and practicality. The 2021 Hyundai Staria 2.2 Premium, a mid-to-high-end MPV under the brand, takes large space, rich configurations, and diesel power as its core selling points, targeting a user base that needs to balance business receptions with family outings. This time, through a real vehicle test drive, we aim to verify whether its static and dynamic performance aligns with its market positioning at this price point.

The first impression of Staria's exterior design is its distinctiveness, breaking away from the traditional boxy feel of MPVs. The front face adopts a through-type LED daytime running light, paired with a split LED headlight group below, which visually broadens the width and makes it look more modern. The body side lines are smooth, with a rising waistline extending from the A-pillar to the D-pillar, preventing the body from appearing bulky. The 18-inch wheels are moderately sized for an MPV, with 235/55 R18 tires emphasizing both comfort and stability. At the rear, the vertically arranged LED tail lights echo the front design, while the lines of the rear hatch are simple, and the chrome trim above the license plate frame enhances the refinement. The overall exterior avoids overly complex decorations but handles details well, aligning with its business-oriented positioning.

Inside, the Staria 2.2 Premium stands out with its materials and configurations. The center console adopts a layered design, with soft-touch foamed material covering the top and silver trim accents in the middle, offering a good tactile feel in reachable areas. The 8-inch touchscreen is located at the top of the center console, featuring smooth operation and sufficient resolution, supporting Bluetooth, CarPlay, and Android Auto. The instrument panel is fully digital, with a clear interface that displays fuel consumption, speed, navigation, and other information. In terms of features, the front seats support 8-way electric adjustment with heating and ventilation functions, and the middle seat in the second row similarly offers electric adjustment, heating, and ventilation, which are rare in vehicles of the same class. The passage between the second-row seats is spacious, facilitating third-row passengers' access. The third-row seats are manually foldable, enabling an expansion of the cargo area when folded. For storage, the door panels, central armrest box, and space beneath the center console offer ample storage compartments, making daily use convenient.

Space performance is one of Staria's core strengths. The dimensions of the vehicle are 5253mm×1995mm×1990mm, with a wheelbase of 3273mm, ensuring a spacious interior. The front row offers ample room, with a headroom clearance of two fists for passengers 180 cm tall, and generous legroom. The second-row seats support sliding forward and backward as well as backrest angle adjustments. When adjusted to the most comfortable position, legroom extends to more than three fists, and headroom also offers two fists of space, ensuring a non-confining experience even during long rides. The space performance of the third-row seats is standard, suitable for children or smaller-sized adults, leaving legroom of one fist when the second-row seats are adjusted to a suitable position. The standard trunk capacity is 431 liters, which can be expanded significantly with the third-row seats folded down, meeting the needs for family trips or luggage storage during business receptions.

In terms of power, the Staria 2.2 Premium is equipped with a 2.2T diesel engine, delivering a maximum output of 177PS and a peak torque of 430N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In actual driving, the diesel engine exhibits excellent low-end torque, providing quick power response with no significant lag during start-ups. When driving in urban areas, the transmission shifts smoothly with clear upshift and downshift logic, offering brisk acceleration below 60km/h. On the highway, overtaking requires a deep press of the accelerator, yet the engine remains powerful above 3000rpm, with the engine speed maintaining approximately 2000rpm at a cruising speed of 120km/h, delivering decent fuel efficiency under cruising conditions. The official combined fuel consumption is 8.2L/100km. During our test drive, fuel consumption in congested urban conditions was about 9.5L/100km, while on highways it was around 7.8L/100km, which is consistent with the performance of a diesel engine.

In terms of handling, the Staria's steering wheel provides a moderate level of weight. The response is precise with minimal play, which is quite good for an MPV. The suspension system uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned towards comfort. It manages to absorb most of the minor road imperfections effectively, and vibrations are well controlled when driving over speed bumps. However, body roll becomes noticeable during fast cornering, which is a common characteristic of MPV models, as they prioritize comfort. Regarding noise control, while engine noise is more pronounced at idle, wind and tire noise are well suppressed during driving. The 12-speaker Bose audio system provides good sound quality, partially offsetting the impact of external noise.

Safety configurations are one of the highlights of the Staria 2.2 Premium, featuring six airbags, lane change assist, lane departure warning, active braking, forward collision warning, and other functions as standard. The 360-degree panoramic imaging system is very practical while parking, reducing blind spots. Additionally, it comes fully equipped with features such as an electronic handbrake, auto hold, and hill-start assist, enhancing daily driving convenience.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2021 Hyundai Staria 2.2 Premium lie in its spacious interior, abundant comfort features, and comprehensive safety configurations. Compared to the Toyota Alphard in the same segment, the Staria offers a more competitive price and richer features; compared to the Kia Carnival, the Staria's diesel engine performs better in fuel consumption and low-end torque. This car is suitable for users who need to balance business receptions with family outings, especially for families or businesses that frequently require seating for multiple passengers. Its comfort-oriented features meet long-distance travel needs, its safety features provide adequate protection, and its fuel-efficient diesel engine is well-suited for frequent long-distance trips.

In summary, the Staria 2.2 Premium is a well-rounded MPV with commendable performance in space, features, and power. While there is room for improvement in handling and the third-row space, its overall performance aligns well with its target positioning. If you are looking for a practical yet comfortable MPV, the Staria 2.2 Premium is worth considering.