Hyundai Staria 2026 review: Diesel

Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?

7 / 10

The diesel variant of the Staria people mover is simply called the Staria and lists for $54,300 before on-road costs. The base petrol variant is exactly the same price and comes with the same features.

Some of those features include LED headlights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, plus single-zone climate control in the front and single-zone climate control in the rear. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too. 

New for the update is a 12.3-inch digital media display, proximity unlocking and push-button start.

That’s not a great deal of new features but it doesn't feel too sparse. That said, heated front seats would have been nice and power sliding doors would have been helpful.

The entry-grade Kia Carnival is the same price yet has more features, feels higher quality and less ‘van-like’.  

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Design – Is there anything interesting about its design?

7 / 10

The Staria arrived in 2021 looking like a spaceship with its bullet train face and LED light strip skirting the width of its bonnet. After you take that in, you become aware of the overly large windows. The tall pixel tail-lights add a quirky and considered touch. The overall design is ageing well.

That said, there’s a ‘goofiness’ to the look and I don’t think anybody would call it sexy in the way some might think of the Kia Carnival.

The low window line looks quite bizarre from the outside but the feeling of sitting in the front seats is even more odd. My 12-year-old son actually said, “I feel like I’m going to fall out.” I can honestly say he’s never made that comment about any other car. And he’s absolutely right, you do feel exposed with the window line that low.

The interior is fairly modern but basic with a commercial van vibe.

That said, the materials look hard wearing and they are easy to clean, which is ideal for a young family like mine. 

Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside?

8 / 10

People movers are so much more practical than SUVs when it comes to passenger space and cabin storage. Even getting in and out or accessing the third row is way easier than it is for those big SUV wagons. 

Sure, they might not be as stylish as SUVs and off-road adventures aren’t really in their job description, but they are the better choice for many big families ferrying kids from school to sport to birthday parties and holiday road trips.

The Staria does feel very van-like, as though Hyundai has just stuck seats in a commercial van and added some comfy carpets and trims.

There’s eight seats over three rows with the second and third rows offering three seats each.

Unlike most SUVs three adults can sit comfortably in both second and third rows with outstanding headroom and legroom.

That means plenty of space for kids and child seats, too.

Storage is also outstanding with a giant centre console bin between the front seats, huge door pockets, shelves in the dashboard, cupholders and bottle holders in all three rows galore.

There’s wireless phone charging, and USB-C ports in the front and second rows.

The cargo area behind the third row is massive at 831 litres.

The entry grade doesn’t get power doors unfortunately and the manual doors are heavy and hard to open, even for me.

There could be better amenities in the rear two rows as well, such as pull-up sun blinds, roll-down rear windows and more storage. For these reasons the entry-level Staria doesn’t get higher marks.

Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission?

6 / 10

Under the Staria's short bonnet is 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine making 130kW of power and 430Nm of torque. 

An eight-speed transmission sends the drive to the front wheels only.

Braked towing capacity for the diesel Staria is 2500kg.

I should also say that I’m not a fan of diesel. As much as it’s excellent for low-down torque and towing, the clatter is very noisy and driving around town isn't the most tranquil experience. 

There’s also some turbo lag which means take-offs aren’t spritely and this adds to the truck-like feel.

Then there’s the fuel itself. It’s now the most expensive of the choices and it’s one of the highest polluting fuels with its toxic particles, although Hyundai’s engines do a good job of capturing these.

If I was considering a Staria, I’d definitely be looking at a hybrid, electric or petrol variant. 

Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range?

6 / 10

The diesel engine in the Staria has a combined consumption of 7.0L/100km. Our testing saw 13.9L/100km, according to the trip computer after 120km of urban and suburban testing over the week doing school and sport runs.

I'm surprised by the consumption, too. Yes, this was done in heavy traffic with not many motorway miles, so possibly the worst-case scenario, but at most there were only three people in the car with no luggage. 

A 75-litre tank gives a theoretical range of about 1070km, but don't count on this as urban driving will lower that range potentially by up to a half.

This may not be the fuel-efficient van you’re looking for.

Driving – What's it like to drive?

7 / 10

As much as I’m not a fan of diesel for the reasons I’ve mentioned, I do like driving vans for their elevated seating height, great visibility, good turning circles and surprisingly compliant ride thanks to the long wheelbase. And the Staria achieves all this.

The kids love the driving experience too, high up like a train in the traffic looking though expansive windows which adds to the airy feel. This also combats the dreaded car sickness, although the windows can’t be rolled down in the back.

And aside from the noisy diesel engine which honestly had people coming out of their homes thinking I was their shopping delivery, the driving experience was quite good.

Parking will be an issue in the city. This van is 5.3m long and that means needing at least seven metres of space, which is rare in the city.

The 2.0m height may also be restrictive and you need to consider this for multi-storey carparks. Often the maximum clearance is two metres which is a no-go in the Staria.

Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating?

7 / 10

The Staria scored the maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2021, but this will expire in December 2027. Still there’s a high level of advanced safety tech including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assistance.

Helping are front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and a rear-view camera.

There are also seven airbags and a full-sized spare wheel.

More help would have been nice from a digital rear-view mirror.

I have to mention to the low window height again. I am not happy with the low rear window line, especially with children in car seats - see the image. 

Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?

7 / 10

The Staria is covered by Hyundai’s seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty if you service through a Hyundai dealer, plus there’s 12 months of roadside assistance.

That level of coverage is reassuring and compares well (if not, better) to many other mainstream brands.

The expansive Hyundai dealer network is another reason to go with the Staria. There's 150 dealers in Australia from Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs to Townsville and Hobart.

Servicing for the Staria diesel is required every 12 months or 15,000km. And while it's disappointing the Staria is no longer covered by capped-price servicing, there is a five-year service plan available for the diesel, which is $2695 up front. That provides some certainty when it comes to maintenance costs.

Just as a service price comparison the Kia Carnival diesel does have capped-price servicing but if you add the cost up for each visit the total is $2873. So there you go, Hyundai's service package is slightly more affordable.

Verdict