Inching closer to its mid-year debut, the 2022 Hyundai Staria multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was revealed yesterday, with the premise of next-level mobility.
Minivan though it may be, at no point did Hyundai use this often-maligned vehicle classification. In the world of auto sales, it is the people mover that a family of four or more can hardly live without and that many parents dread for the stigma associated with them.
If you’ll recall, the MPV was Mazda’s minivan entry for more than 20 years, a hauler with some of the same ‘zoom-zoom’ zest found in other Mazdas. While the Staria isn’t absconding with the nameplate, they are happy to use it as a descriptor for something that’s clearly a minivan.
Hyundai has introduced a new term, purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) to somehow move the discussion away from minivans, and to these ‘new’ PBVs, if not in practice, well, at least as a point of reference.
What we know from Hyundai’s release yesterday is that there’s going to be a 2-seat Staria, which would make sense as a work vehicle, and in 7-, 9-, and 11-seat passenger configurations. There will be Premium versions, although the 11-seat Staria Premium is available only in Korea. The nine-seat Premium will have second-row seats with the ability to swivel 180-degrees, so that rousing conversations among occupants can take place while the vehicle is in motion.
When Hyundai compares the Staria to a cruise ship, you start thinking that maybe it’s going to be a boat. Without any dimensions, it’s hard to gauge whether the Staria is going to emulate the turning radius of a short school bus, or it will be a bit more nimble. There is a lot of glass, which compares nicely with that of a tour bus. Judging by the side view, think hunkered-down, low-to-the-ground Chevy Express/GMC Savana.
Futuristic though the front fascia may be due to its horizontal daytime running lights, and a lighted ‘halo’ Hyundai compares to the Earth’s horizon at sunrise if you were to view it from space, it’s very much like K.I.T.T. from the ‘Nightrider’ TV series, no? Its snub nose is somewhat reminiscent of the Toyota Previa minivan of twenty-odd years ago too, albeit with what we think will be a much longer body than that of the Toyota. But then again, it wasn’t in this era of personal space and social distancing that the Toyota was designed.
While there were no images of the dash and its 10.25-inch display screen, relaxation-mode premium seating in their 7-seat high-end variant, or the 64-color ambient mood lighting that’s available on all Staria Premium models, you now have some idea why Hyundai isn’t content to call it a minivan and leave it at that.
[Images: Hyundai, Toyota]
Ahem… “Knight Rider”.
You made The Hoff sad.
I love it. They need to make it a hybrid so it can compete with the new Sienna’s 36mpg. At the 20k miles/year we put on the family van, the difference between 36 and 20mpg is $150/month burned.
If they do that, I’ll have the Hyundai. The design is killer
I does look like a darned sweet van.
And besides, now that minivans are getting four seat rows, Crewcabs won’t have to hand in their (current-day-metrosexual at least) man-card when they come with three. That should still leave enough space in the bed for a “offroad” stroller…..
They’ve had 4 rows in Korea for decades. This is definitely not coming here.
“the 11-seat Staria Premium is available only in Korea”
This is the third-saddest thing I will read this week.
Although it was an edgy design (or maybe because it was an edgy design) the Previa was a marketing failure. I wonder why Hyundai thinks it will be different now.
I do like the idea of calling it a “PBV.” That’s a lot less cumbersome than the first name that probably got tossed around in the Hyundai marketing department; the “No It Isn’t A Minivan So Please Stop Calling It That.”
Hyundai isn’t marketing this van for the U.S. market so that should address your marketing concerns. The reception to this shape will be much more welcome in its home market especially.
This avoids some packaging mistakes made by the Previa. The Previa was way too egg-shaped (which significantly affects the usability). Compare the relative slab-sides of the Staria with the tumblehome of the Previa. And the upright (vs. eggy) back end.
However:
Hyundai nailed the overall package shape and then went on to [over]do the exterior detailing all wrong, because of their natural inferiority complex vs. Kia (creator of the Telluride™).
[Side note: There is a 2016 Hyundai Equus Ultimate for sale around the corner from me – stopped by to take a look. Did you know that the “Ultimate” trim level is the base? (“Signature” is higher.) Hyundai you lying thieves. LOL.]
Shhh its not a minivan its an [insert Korean here].
I really like the concepts here, if they build it for long life and reasonable serviceability then I think it starts a revolution.
I like this and it’s giving me big time Mitsubishi Delica vibes. I bet they’ll have a 4×4 version as well, because these vans are used like trucks in Korea, as well as school buses.
This isn’t a competitor for US minivans, and I’ll be shocked if it’s sold in the US. It’s aimed at typical Euro-style unibody midsize vans, just with more style and some interesting seating options in the passenger versions.
No way would they bring it here!
I think it could do well.
Giving me Aerostar vibes
Something about the face gives me that creepy “Alien” feeling.
I wonder if the flat bottom will accept a battery pack someday.
“Something about the face…”
It’s the reincarnation of the Isetta.
That was going to be my first question.
This but in 2-row Ford S-Max size would be a pretty solid offering for the CUV crowd if they could accept sliding doors.
How many Canadians can sit in that back seat?
…and how many canoes can you fit on the roof?
Has futurism *finally* returned to auto design?! Hyundai, please bring this van to the US, even if just the cargo versions. As I’ve stated in other comments, the medium van segment is just absent here, except for the Mercedes Metris.
If they could make this a pure EV with a enormous battery with three motors that would make me buy it.
I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time looking at the Tesla Cybertruck.
It’s just not as flexible as a regular pickup truck. If Tesla wants to avoid leaving money on the table, they’re going to need to make the Cybertruck in a lot of different size and shapes.
I predict we will see a “Cybervan” or a “CyberSUV” sooner rather than later, and maybe even a couple of other truck-like variants.
But I’m just armchair engineering here. Tesla will do what they’ll do. [shrug]
I’m really liking Hyundai design lately. If they can lead other manufacturers out of our current neo-baroque era of over-contoured everything, I’ll be grateful.
I’m excited about a different tire width on each corner!
Come to think of it 4 wheel steering would be helpful on this thing as well.
Reminds me of the GM “dustbuster” minivans.