First drive: 2025 Hyundai STARGAZER X Premium
If you want to succeed in the Philippine car market, you must have a vehicle that can carry seven passengers.
Whether it’s to accommodate the extended family on long, out-of-town drives or to haul lots of stuff, Filipinos have valued spacious vehicles since the days of the clattery and bouncy Isuzu Hi-Lander, Mitsubishi Adventure and Toyota Revo. Happily, car-based multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) have taken over with their smooth engines and easy drivability.
The latest entry in this fiercely competitive segment is the 2025 Hyundai STARGAZER and STARGAZER X, which were launched last Tuesday at Okada Manila in Paranaque City. Given that these MPVs were Hyundai Motor Philippines’ best-selling models in 2024, is the radical new look enough to keep it ahead of the pack?
We took the top-of-the-line STARGAZER X Premium for a quick spin to find out.
Guaranteed gaze-stealer
I have always liked the looks of recent Hyundais, particularly the sleek and futuristic Staria van.
The original STARGAZER and STARGAZER X drew much inspiration from its larger cousin, especially the full-width LED daytime running light (DRL) and the low-mounted LED headlights. The substantial restyle means the headlights are now along the hoodline, while the LED DRLs are integrated with the new front grill.
The more aggressive face includes silver accents for the large faux brake ducts and the lower grill. These changes were all the more apparent with the two-tone Dragon Red Pearl paint scheme in our test unit, which also gets a gloss-black roof and roof rails.
The side profile leans towards sport-utility vehicles with the prominent matte-black plastic on the fenders and lower doors. Although meant to protect the lovely paintwork, these also make the gloss-black, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 205/50 series tires look rather small.
Out back, the biggest change is the movement of the license-plate holder from the tailgate to the lower bumper, resulting in a cleaner appearance. Revamped LED taillights span the width of the tailgate, while a prominent spoiler add to the STARGAZER X Premium’s sportier character.
Comfortable cabin
Behind the wheel, the STARGAZER X Premium immediately leapfrogs from the similarly equipped Honda BR-V VX by having a more modern dashboard and more supportive seats.
Notable features include the 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, best-in-class 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and electronic climate-control system with separate, easy-to-use controls. Although I like the full leatherette upholstery, I wish Hyundai used soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door cards.
I also got the chance to sit in the second row of the STARGAZER X Premium, which offered good legroom and excellent ventilation, thanks to the roof-mounted fan. A longer road test would give us the chance to explore the third-row seats and the cargo capacity.
Smooth and responsive
In our short drive on the smooth roads around Okada Manila, the STARGAZER X Premium once again trumps the BR-V VX with its impressive refinement.
Whereas the Honda has excessive engine noise and vibration when accelerating, Hyundai’s little MPV remained totally composed. The ride is also rather firm, resulting in good handling and manageable load transfer in the nearby slalom and braking course – however, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross with its Montero Sport dampers is suppler over bumps.
But where the Hyundai is substantially better than the Mitsubishi is acceleration. Packing 113 horsepower and 144 Newton-meters of torque from its 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine, the STARGAZER X is quicker off the line, thanks to its Intelligent Variable Transmission (while the Xpander Cross is saddled by its outdated 4-speed automatic gearbox).
In addition, the STARGAZER X Premium gets full marks for its Hyundai Smartsense advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). This includes convenient and life-saving features like Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist.
Again, a full road test would allow us to evaluate things like fuel consumption and overall driving feel.
Best in class?
At P1,378,000, the 2025 Hyundai STARGAZER X Premium offers a lot for those who want a practical, easy-to-drive seven-seater with class-leading safety gear.
Its closest rival is the P1,400,000 Honda BR-V VX, which is the only other MPV that features full ADAS, but lags in comfort and refinement. Meanwhile, the quiet and comfortable Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is also priced at P1,378,000, but has no ADAS, along with below-average fuel economy and performance.
Is the STARGAZER X Premium the best MPV in the Philippines, as of press time? It’s perhaps too soon to say, but our initial impressions point to a very impressive vehicle.
