Hyundai PH’s ‘Star’ now shines brighter
The Hyundai STARGAZER and STARGAZER X are absolutely vital to Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH).
A little over half of the South Korean carmaker’s local sales in 2024 were these seven-seat, multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) – their unique design, flexible interior space and car-like driving dynamics made them among the best in the segment.
Following an act like that is tough, but HMPH is going for it with the heavily restyled 2025 STARGAZER and STARGAZER X that were launched on Tuesday at Okada Manila in Paranaque City. Four variants are available, namely the STARGAZER GL Plus and GLS, along with the STARGAZER X GLS Plus and STARGAZER X Premium.
Whole new look
Unlike most midlife facelifts, where automakers generally tweak small details, Hyundai has almost created an all-new car with its latest MPVs.
The most notable change is the movement of the headlights (LED in all variants except the STARGAZER GL Plus) from the lower bumper to the top of the hoodline. This new setup integrates revamped LED daytime running lights (again, available in all variants except the STARGAZER GL Plus) that run across and alongside the more prominent front grill.
The side profile of the MPVs remain the same, which means strong character lines along the door handles and an upward-swooping rear-quarter window. All STARGAZER variants get 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 series tires, while all STARGAZER X models use 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/50 series tires – the latter also gets pronounced fender flares and rear disc brakes.
The Hyundai MPVs also have a heavily revamped rear end, with the license-plate holder moving to the lower bumper. All models except the STARGAZER GL Plus come with LED taillights that span the entire width of the tailgate, but only the STARGAZER X variants feature a tailgate spoiler with integrated stop lamp.
The STARGAZER is available in five colors, namely Midnight Black Pearl, Creamy White Pearl, Magnetic Silver Metallic, Titan Gray Metallic and Dragon Red Pearl. All STARGAZER X models feature gloss-black roofs in combination with Creamy White Pearl, Magnetic Silver Metallic or Dragon Red Pearl.
Space for 7
Changes inside the 2025 STARGAZER and STARGAZER X are less pronounced – you still get a crisp interior design and room for seven passengers, including a roof-mounted fan for the second and third rows.
All STARGAZER models come with a 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a traditional parking brake. The STARGAZER GL Plus model features full fabric upholstery, while the STARGAZER GLS has a cloth-leatherette combination and a push-start button.
Moving up to the STARGAZER X models means a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, best-in-class 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (along with built-in Waze navigation), an electric parking brake and a push-start button. Both variants feature full leatherette upholstery, although only the top-spec STARGAZER X Premium has electronic climate control.
Proven powerplant
All STARGAZER and STARGAZER X models are powered by the same 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine pumping out 113 horsepower and 144 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission.
Safety-wise, all variants come standard with dual front airbags, child-restraint anchors and anti-lock brakes, but the STARGAZER GLS and both STARGAZER X models add cruise control, electronic stability control and hillstart assist control. Only the STARGAZER X gets side and curtain airbags, along with a tire-pressure monitoring system.
Exclusive to the top-of-the-line STARGAZER X Premium is the Hyundai SmartSense advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that includes Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist.
Sedan killer?
As before, the 2025 Hyundai STARGAZER and STARGAZER X compete directly with other small MPVs like the Honda BR-V, the Toyota Avanza and Veloz, and the Mitsubishi Xpander and Xpander Cross.
The lineup starts at P1,118,000 for the STARGAZER GL Plus and goes up to P1,228,000 for the STARGAZER GLS. Meanwhile, the more rugged STARGAZER X kicks off at P1,318,000 for the GLS Plus and tops off at P1,378,000 for the Premium.
This puts the STARGAZER and STARGAZER X in the same price bracket as top-spec subcompact sedans like the Honda City and the recently launched Toyota ATIV, as well as subcompact crossovers from China like the GAC GS3 Emzoom and Geely Coolray. Notably, the STARGAZER X Premium with full ADAS undercuts the P1,400,000 Honda BR-V VX Honda SENSING.
It seems HMPH is set to gets lots of gazes (and buyers) this 2025 with its revamped MPV duo.
