A Staria is re-born

The Korean Car Blog/Facebook

Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) is officially launching the electrified version of its Staria Premium Van today, July 9, 2026 at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City.

This comes after HMPH uploaded a teaser poster on its official Facebook page earlier this month, showing the distinctive front end of its large MPV. The 2026 Staria Hybrid would be the latest addition to the South Korean automaker’s electrified lineup in the country, which includes the Elantra Hybrid, Kona Hybrid, Tucson Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid and Palisade Hybrid.

The all-new MPV is expected to take on the likes of other electrified models like the BYD eMAX 9 and Toyota Alphard HEV. Average fuel economy is expected to be above 17 kilometers per liter.

“The Staria is one of the most iconic nameplates in our current lineup, completing our Hybrid range while carrying a legacy Filipinos trust,” said HMPH president Jiho Son in a press statement.

“Building on the Starex’s role in family life, we are proud to be launching the Staria Hybrid which brings a more connected, comfortable experience for modern and practical Filipino families,” he added.

Turbo-hybrid power

The biggest change with the Staria Hybrid lays under its short hood.

It comes with the brand’s familiar turbocharged 1.6-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve, inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor and battery pack. Combined output in other markets is 242 horsepower and 367 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai-exclusive, smart-hybrid functions include e-Handling, which improves the Staria Hybrid’s agility and stability while cornering. Meanwhile, e-Ride enhances ride quality when crossing speed bumps or rapid acceleration, providing more control in different driving situations.

Adding to the driving convenience and safety is the Hyundai SmartSense active-safety suite, which includes life-saving features like Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Side Parking Distance Warning.

Refreshed styling

The all-new Staria Hybrid sports the model’s facelifted appearance that officially debuted in South Korea recently.

This includes new 18-inch alloy wheels, a revamped front grill and cube-shaped, projector, LED headlights. Familiar styling cues include the full-width LED daytime-running lights and the intricate LED taillight clusters that run almost the entire length of the D-pillar. In other markets, there is also a revised interior in 7-seat, 9-seat and 11-seat configurations.

Notable features introduced abroad include a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display, along with a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. There are also USB Type-C charging ports in the front and back rows, as well as a wireless charging pad, while space is further maximized with the steering-column-mounted, Shift-by-Wire selector.

Other luxury features in selected Staria Hybrid models include electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support, heating and ventilation, as well as dual power and tilt sunroofs.

Tech that uplifts

Another innovation in the local version of the Staria Hybrid is Bluelink, which is Hyundai’s Connected Car Service platform.

Using Hyundai Live Services, owners can access traffic and weather updates from the infotainment system without the need to tether a smartphone – data is refreshed every two minutes to provide near-real-time conditions.

The Bluelink system also supports online voice recognition, allowing users to send and receive text messages while keeping their focus on the road. It also keeps owners informed of their vehicle status, diagnostics and health reports, while enabling remote control of climate settings, door locks, horn and lights.

Will the pricier BYD eMAX 9 and Toyota Alphard HEV finally meet their match?

Here’s what Hyundai is offering to the public for the variants of the Staria: