Hyundai Grand Starex Review

The D-segment MPV market has always been a primary choice for family users and business receptions. Users value not only space practicality but also have higher demands for configurations and comfort. The 2020 Hyundai Grand Starex Executive Prime, being a mid-to-high-end model of the series, features an 11-seat layout, flexible seating arrangements, and upgraded configurations as its selling points. It is designed for scenarios requiring group travel. In this test drive, we focused on evaluating its spatial flexibility, performance, and daily driving comfort to see if it can meet the needs of large families or small businesses.

From the exterior, the 2020 Grand Starex Executive Prime continues the family-style design, with an overall stable style. The front adopts a large-sized grille, with halogen headlights and daytime running lights, offering good recognition; the side profile has straight lines, with a length of 5150mm and a width of 1920mm ensuring interior space. The 16-inch tires are well-proportioned to the body. The rear design is simple with standard rear fog lights and parking sensors, focusing on practicality. In terms of the lighting system, the automatic headlights and front fog lights enhance night driving convenience; however, the absence of LED headlights across all configurations is slightly disappointing.

Inside, the interior mainly uses dark tones, with hard plastic materials, but the details are reasonably well-processed. The central control layout is simple, with a standard touchscreen infotainment system that operates smoothly and supports basic multimedia functions. The instrument cluster uses an LCD touchscreen system, clearly displaying vehicle information. For configurations, keyless entry and start, multifunction steering wheel, and 220V/230V power outlets come as standard. The rear row is also equipped with an LCD screen, enhancing the entertainment experience for rear passengers. As for the seats, the front row seats offer manual adjustments and decent support. The second row uses a 40:20:40 sliding split design, with the outer seats being rotatable. The third row also supports sliding and splitting, while the fourth row features sliding seats with foldable cushions. Even with the 11-seat layout, the passengers in the first four rows can enjoy decent legroom, and it doesn’t feel too crowded even when fully loaded. For storage space, the door panels and the area under the central console provide storage compartments, meeting daily small item storage needs.

In terms of performance, the 2020 Grand Starex Executive Prime is equipped with a 2.5L turbocharged diesel engine, delivering a maximum of 168 horsepower and peak torque at 2,000rpm. It comes paired with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive layout. In actual driving, the power response is smooth during the start-up phase, with the turbo kicking in at 2,000rpm, providing abundant torque for confident overtakes or fully loaded climbs. The driving modes focus on economy and comfort, with smooth gear shifting and no significant jerking. Regarding handling, the steering wheel provides moderate resistance and minimal dead zone, making daily driving flexible. The combination of the front MacPherson independent suspension and rear five-link independent suspension shows significant improvement compared to the 2018 version’s solid axle suspension. It effectively filters out vibrations on bumpy roads, ensuring good vehicle stability. When cornering, the body roll is controlled within an acceptable range without noticeable swaying.

In fuel consumption tests, the combined road condition fuel consumption is approximately 8.5L per 100 kilometers, which is reasonable for an 11-seater MPV. With a fuel tank capacity of 75L, the cruising range exceeds 800 kilometers, meeting the needs for long-distance travel. In terms of braking, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes respond promptly, and the braking distance is moderate, ensuring safety in daily use. Regarding driving comfort, engine noise is well controlled at idle, while wind noise and tire noise are slightly noticeable at high speeds but do not affect normal conversation. The seats offer average cushioning, but long periods of sitting are not too tiring. The rear-row standard sunshade effectively blocks sunlight, enhancing the comfort of the rear passengers.

Compared with similar models, the 2020 Grand Starex Executive Prime has advantages such as its flexible 11-seater seating arrangement, improved comfort from the rear five-link suspension, and standard rear LCD screen with a 220V power outlet. In terms of cost, the RM 171,888 price tag is RM 2,000 cheaper than the 2018 Royale Deluxe, yet its features have been upgraded, showing excellent value for money. However, features like halogen headlights and manual seat adjustments fall slightly short compared to some competitors.

Overall, the 2020 Hyundai Grand Starex Executive Prime is a practical multi-purpose MPV suited for large families for daily commutes, weekend outings, or small businesses for corporate receptions. Its spatial flexibility, performance, and comfort can meet the needs of its target audience, with highlights including the 11-seater layout and versatile seat combinations. If you are looking for an MPV that can accommodate multiple passengers while remaining practical for everyday use, the Grand Starex Executive Prime is worth considering.