Hyundai Staria 2025 Review

In Malaysia's commercial MPV market, there are quite a few models that can meet the needs of large families for weekend outings and small business receptions, but there are not many that truly balance space, configuration, and price. The 2025 Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Style 10-seater is a model aimed at this demand. As the entry-level version of the series, it is priced at RM 179,888 while retaining Staria's iconic sci-fi exterior and 10-seat spacious interior. It comes standard with practical features such as LED lighting and automatic air conditioning. This time, we had the chance to test drive the vehicle, with the main objective being to see whether this entry-level Staria can truly balance family and commercial use scenarios, and whether it has avoided sacrificing key experiences for its friendly price point.

The design of the Staria has always been distinctive, and the Style version fully continues this style. The overall body lines are relatively boxy, especially the front end's horizontal LED daytime running lights, paired with the irregularly shaped grille below, making it recognizable from afar as a Staria. The side of the body is without superfluous waistlines, with straight lines running from the front to the rear, ensuring interior space while giving the body a sense of stability. At the rear, the LED taillights are also arranged horizontally, echoing the daytime running lights at the front, and the rear fog lights are positioned below the bumper, maximizing practicality. The 17-inch wheels paired with 215/65 R17 tires may not be large in size, but they are durable and suitable for various daily road conditions.

Sitting inside the vehicle, the interior of the Style version takes a practical approach. The dashboard layout is simple, with an 8-inch touchscreen located at the center, featuring a clear operating logic and being easy to get used to. Physical buttons are retained below, making it convenient to blindly adjust the air conditioning temperature and volume while driving. In terms of material, the upper part of the dashboard is made of hard plastic, but the craftsmanship is quite good, with no obvious gaps. The steering wheel has a multifunctional design and supports manual adjustment. The buttons on the left control multimedia and the phone, while those on the right control the trip computer, sufficient for daily use. The instrument cluster features a 4.25-inch TFT LCD display, showing basic information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level. Although it lacks the 10.25-inch large screen of the high-spec version, the data display is clear. The seats are manually adjustable, with bucket-style designs for the front seats, providing good support that does not cause fatigue during long drives. The rear seating has a 2+3+3 10-seat layout, with the second and third-row spaces being very spacious. Passengers who are 175cm tall can sit with about two fists of legroom, and even with 10 people on board, it doesn't feel too crowded. In terms of storage space, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, there is a storage compartment below the dashboard that can hold a phone or wallet, and there are small storage boxes under the third-row seats, which shows attention to detail in the design.

The Staria Style we test-drove this time is equipped with a 2.2T diesel engine, with a maximum power of 130kW (177PS) and a maximum torque of 430N·m, matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In actual driving, the performance of the powertrain is smoother than expected. At startup, a gentle press on the accelerator allows the vehicle to move forward smoothly, and the maximum torque is delivered at 1,500 RPM, so it doesn't feel sluggish when following vehicles in the city or traveling at low speeds. When switched to sports mode, the transmission delays shifting, maintains the RPM above 2,000, and allows for more direct acceleration. Whenever overtaking is required, just press the accelerator harder, and the power response follows promptly. Even with five people in the car, overtaking on highways is done with confidence. The gearbox is smooth during normal driving, with gear shifts being almost imperceptible, except under rapid acceleration when there is slight jolting.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel of the Staria feels light, making daily parking or U-turns very easy. However, it becomes slightly heavier at high speeds to ensure stability. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear is a multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the suspension absorbs most of the bumps, so there is no obvious vibration transmitted into the cabin. During cornering, the body roll is well controlled, and despite the tall body, it doesn't sway excessively. We specifically tested the fuel consumption, which is about 8.5L/100km in urban traffic and drops to 6.8L/100km during highway cruising. With a full 75L fuel tank, the range can reach approximately 850km. For a 10-seater MPV, this fuel efficiency is excellent.

As for ride comfort, the performance of the Staria Style is commendable. The noise from the diesel engine is well-controlled, and there is hardly any vibration heard in the cabin when idling. On highways, there is some wind and tire noise, but it remains within an acceptable range and doesn't affect conversations among passengers. The seat cushions are quite soft, and rear air conditioning is standard. With air vents in both the second and third rows, the car can cool down quickly even with 10 people inside during summer. The braking performance is also very linear, offering precise feedback and no slack, which instills confidence.

Overall, the 2025 Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Style 10-seater has some very clear core advantages: for a price of just over 170,000 ringgit, you get a large 10-seater space, high recognition with its distinctive appearance, practical configurations, and great fuel economy. When compared with other models in the same category, like the entry-level version of the Toyota Granvia, this vehicle is more affordable and offers richer features. On the other hand, while some domestic MPVs might have similar prices, they fall short in terms of brand influence and build quality, making Staria the superior choice. This car is especially suitable for two groups of people: large families who need enough space for weekend outings with economic fuel consumption, and small business owners who require it for business receptions or short-distance transportation. The 10-seat layout can meet the needs of multiple passengers while the stylish design ensures a respectable appearance.

To sum up, the Staria 2.2 CRDi Style 10-seater doesn't come with flashy features, but it delivers well on core needs such as space, performance, and fuel efficiency, making it a truly practical model. If you're looking for an MPV that can carry passengers while also catering to commercial purposes, with a budget around 180,000 ringgit, the Staria Style is definitely worth considering.