Hyundai Motor offers first peek at Staria minivan

Hyundai Motor Co. on Mar. 11 unveiled teaser images of its Staria minivan, part of the company’s new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) lineup.

This futuristic minivan is a full-change model of the 24-year-old Starex first introduced in 1997.

The name change to Staria has been made “in reference to the vehicle’s future-oriented product values and streamlined design characteristics,” according to Hyundai Motor.  

The multi-purpose minivan derives its name by combining the words “star” and “ria,” which the company explains means “a long narrow area of water,” citing the Oxford Dictionary.

The teaser images revealed today showed the Staria Lounge, a seven-seat premium variant of the standard model.

According to the company, Staria reflects Hyundai Motor’s commitment to lead the future mobility industry as a “smart mobility solution provider.”

“Staria is Hyundai’s new MPV lineup that heralds the era of a new mobility. It will provide a completely new experience and value proposition for customers through its unprecedented design features,” commented Lee Sang-yup, senior vice president and head of Global Hyundai Design Center.  

VEHICLE DESIGN

The Staria Lounge offers a mysterious exterior, resembling a spaceship with expansive panoramic windows and lower belt lines.

The front of the vehicle is highlighted by a long, horizontal daytime running light and headlamps positioned underneath.

The spacious interior took direct inspiration from the lounge area on a cruise ship, according to a Hyundai Motor representative, delivering a sense of openness and relaxed composure.

The company also highlighted that the height of the cabin is optimized for comfort and convenience, making it ideal for both business and family purposes.

Hyundai Motor will unveil more details regarding the design features of the Staria lineup in the coming weeks.

Write to Sun A Lee at suna@hankyung.com
Daniel Cho edited this article.