Hyundai Motor Philippines has been quiet the first half of 2026, but that’s about to change this July as the carmaker confirmed its first launch of the year: the new Staria HEV.
The carmaker set a July 9 reveal date for something that promises to make “premium space smarter.” And while the official teaser fell just short of saying that it’ll be hybrid, it’s worth noting that Hyundai Motor Philippines did recently receive homologation paperwork for the Staria HEV.
Based on paperwork filed with the Department of Energy and the LTO, the Staria HEV could come in three variants: the Staria 1.6T HEV GL which is an 11-seater, the Staria 1.6T HEV GLS which is a 9-seater, and the Staria 1.6T HEV Premium Plus which is a cushy 7-seater.
With at least three HEV variants in store for the Philippines, it aligns the local market with the rest of the world which has seen the diesel discontinued for quite some time.
Regardless of variant, the Staria HEV swaps out the 2.2-liter Smartstream Diesel used in the current Staria for the 1.6-liter turbo SmartStream Gasoline mated to a 6-speed automatic. An electric motor, mounted inline with the gearbox can send power to a 1.48-kWh battery.
In this guise, the Staria HEV makes a combined 245 horsepower (180 horsepower from the combustion engine and 73 horsepower from the electric motor). Combined torque is rated at 367 Nm. All in all, this is up 68 horsepower compared to the diesel, but down 63 Nm when it comes to torque.
Thanks to its HEV powertrain, the Staria HEV gains the e-Motion Drive which bundles two suites of tech: e-Comfort Drive and e-Dynamic Drive. The former has e-Ride which minimizes vehicle shake when crossing speed bumps by controlling the motor further improving its comfort and stability. The latter has e-Handling which controls drive torque to maintain optimal traction during turns, e-EHA which maximizes evasion performance, and e-Traction which enhances vehicle grip and cornering stability.
Mechanically, the Staria HEV gains handling-related updates as well with a reinforced body structure and revised bushings. Moreover, the suspension has been retuned for driving stability and ride quality, whether empty or loaded.
Design-wise, it also receives a slight exterior nip and tuck. There’s a new front LED strip with “STARIA” engraved on the sides, a new grille and front bumper, and revised headlights.
Inside, there’s a larger infotainment screen (10.25-inch or 12.3-inch) with a hybrid specific display, more physical buttons, a new steering wheel, and a redesigned center console. Other possible features include front ventilated seats and second row seats, a second row “Premium Relaxation Seats,” power sliding doors, a Bose sound system, and the Hyundai SmartSense ADAS.
Here we go again. Another HEV Mini-Van utilizing a 1.5Kw battery.
ReplyDelete1st mistake is doing a HEV on a heavy vehicle when a PHEV system is more efficient (an 18+Kw battery in a PHEV allows a much more efficient & powerful electric motor; which consumes electricity (which electricity has remained cheaper than gasoline/diesel per km), and provides much better performance.
2nd mistake is using a 1.5Kw battery which is even less capacity than those Crossover HEVs which are much lighter that use 1.8Kw battery capacity.
Mistake after mistake.
Did the Product Development/Marketing Department of Hyundai Philippines even do their homework to research and talk to Staria, Hi-Ace, Carnival, etc. owners to find out what the market needed or is asking for?
Mini-Vans are heavy for what they are so they need more torque than Gasoline and Diesel fed vehicles. So why put in such a low powered electric motor that results in overall less torque?
Then Hyundai Philippines will want considerably more for this supposedly HEV variant that is unlikely to provide more efficiency, or better performance considering the lack of logic, and practicality they
employed to make a Staria HEV.
Note that the average Filipino vehicle buyer is much more savvy than those vehicle buyers of a decade or 2 ago.
More than 50% of vehicle buyers know more than a vehicle Sales
Executive. This is what was observed during the MIAS and PIMS.
This " We know better than anyone what you need in a vehicle" attitude popularized by GM of America is why GM of America is deep financial trouble. They produced so many vehicles that were not sellable.
Good luck Hyundai Philippines on the Staria HEV, you're going to need it. Lot's of it.
Yeah Filipino car buyers more savvy that’s why Toyota capture 50% of ph car market. They preferred proven reliability, dependability, ease of maintenance and high resale value over bling blings of still unproven brands.
DeleteI'm hoping they keep the 9-seater Premium. The new hybrid is only designated as GLS. Also, with PH still strongly Diesel-biased, will Hyundai discontinue the 2.2D in favor of an all-HEV Staria lineup?
ReplyDelete3 variants lang ang retained models for diesel variant. 7 seater premium, 9 seater premium and gls 9 seater.
ReplyDeleteIt might be nag-uubos lang sila ng diesel too.
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