2025 Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Prestige 7-seater Review

In the commercial MPV market in Malaysia, spacious and well-equipped vehicles have always been popular among family users and small businesses, especially the seven-seater versions. These need to meet daily passenger requirements while also taking comfort and practicality into account. The Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Prestige 7-seater, as a popular contender in this segment, not only retains its iconic boxy design after this facelift but also upgrades its features and seat comfort. Our core focus during this test drive is to observe if these upgrades truly enhance the experience in real-life use and to assess whether its performance and fuel consumption as a diesel-powered commercial MPV meet user expectations.

At first glance, the most striking aspect of the Staria is its boxy silhouette—with dimensions of 5253mm in length, 1997mm in width, 1990mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3273mm—which makes it stand out as particularly imposing among its competitors in the same class. The front features a large black grille with the Hyundai logo embedded in the middle. The LED headlights on both sides adopt a connected design that integrates with the grille, giving it high recognition during the day on the road. The design of the vehicle's side is simple, devoid of unnecessary embellishments. The door handles are concealed, paired with 18-inch alloy wheels, presenting a stable yet slightly modern look. At the rear, the LED tail lights also use a connected design in harmony with the front. The lower section of the rear bumper is equipped with a silver skid plate, adding a touch of off-road styling, though this is more decorative for this front-wheel-drive model.

Opening the door, the interior texture exceeds expectations. The central console is neatly arranged, with an 8-inch touchscreen placed in the middle, providing a smooth operational experience. Beneath it are physical buttons, which make blind operations while driving more convenient. The instrument cluster is a 10.25-inch TFT LCD display, capable of showing information such as fuel consumption and navigation, with decent clarity. In terms of materials, the central console and door panels are covered in soft-touch materials, giving a fine and tactile feeling. The seats are made of genuine leather; the front seats support electric adjustment and lumbar support, making long drives less tiring. The highlight is the second-row Premium Relaxation Seats, which support 8-way electric adjustments and can recline backward. For someone of my height (175cm), once the seating position is adjusted, there's more than two fists worth of legroom and plenty of headroom, ensuring comfort on long trips. Regarding storage, the front row includes two cup holders, a large central armrest compartment, and bottle holders on the door panels. When the third-row seats are folded down, the trunk space is quite large, capable of accommodating several big suitcases, suitable for family trips or cargo needs.

This test drive was for the 2.2 CRDi diesel engine version, producing a maximum power of 130kW (177PS) and a maximum torque of 430N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Upon starting, the throttle response is very brisk, without the heavy feeling commonly associated with diesel engines. Shifting to D-gear and gently pressing the accelerator allows for smooth movement. While driving in urban roads, the gear transitions are smooth, with hardly any noticeable jerks. When reaching 60km/h, the RPM stays at about 1500, making it fuel-efficient. When overtaking, pressing the accelerator deeply prompts a swift downshift in the transmission, delivering abundant power; accelerating from 60km/h to 100km/h takes only a few seconds, inspiring confidence. On the highway, with adaptive cruise control (ACC) activated, the system maintains a safe following distance, reducing driver stress. The steering is precise without any play, and even at 120km/h, the car body remains steady without feeling drifted.

In terms of the chassis, the front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is a multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps, the suspension effectively filters out jolts, and you can hardly feel any vibrations while sitting in the second row. On rough roads, the body sway is minimal, maintaining decent stability. Regarding noise control, the engine noise is barely noticeable at idle, and though there is some tire noise and wind noise at high speeds, it remains within an acceptable range. The audio quality of the Bose sound system is excellent, and playing some music easily masks these noises. As for fuel consumption, during this test drive on urban roads and highways, the combined fuel consumption was about 7.5L/100km. For a vehicle of this size, this fuel efficiency is quite commendable.

Overall, the Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Prestige 7-seater stands out with its clear strengths: spacious interior, high configurations, comfortable seating, along with decent performance and fuel efficiency. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Alphard or Kia Carnival, the Staria is more affordable while not compromising on features, with standard equipment like the Bose sound system, dual sunroof, and 360-degree surround-view camera. It appeals to a wide range of users, whether for family practicality or small businesses that frequently need to transport passengers. If you're looking for a seven-seater MPV that's both comfortable and practical, the Staria is definitely worth considering.