Hyundai has detailed the new Staria Hybrid for the Korean domestic market, opening pre-orders and confirming initial specifications for the petrol-electric van range – and it’s limited to left-hand drive for now.
As expected, the 2024 Hyundai Staria Hybrid runs the brand’s 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid system with a 180kW power output – a more powerful version of the drivetrain that’s offered in other models within the Hyundai Motor Group portfolio like the Santa Fe and Kia Carnival.
The petrol engine makes 132kW/265Nm on its own, combined with a 54kW/304Nm electric motor. Hyundai quotes the full 180kW system output is on tap at 5500rpm.
Fuel economy ranges from 7.6L/100km to 8.0L/100km depending on variant, based on the Korean cycle – which is about 1-2km/l better than the combined economy of the existing 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
Staria Lounge (Korea) 
Further details are scant, though it’s understood the Staria Hybrid retains the six-speed automatic transmission used in other models featuring this drivetrain.
In the Korean domestic market, the Staria Hybrid will be available in both Tourer and Cargo versions of the large van – the latter is sold in Australia as the Staria Load – as well as the flagship Staria Lounge.
The Tourer – similar to our passenger-spec Staria line-up – will offer the turbo hybrid drivetrain in 9- and 11-seat people mover versions, while the Cargo has just a single spec.
The Staria Lounge, meanwhile, offers two trim levels as well as seven- and nine-seat configurations.
Staria Lounge (Korea)
In addition to the launch of the Staria Hybrid, Hyundai has revised the domestic specification for the 2024 model year with some added features for the wider range.
Highlights include USB-C charge ports (over USB-A), standard front parking sensors for lower grades and some convenience items like warning sounds for the electric sliding doors.
The Staria Hybrid will reportedly debut a Traffic Jam Assist feature according to Korean Car Blog, which optimises shift patterns and leans harder on the electric motor in low-speed traffic jams to enhance comfort and refinement.
Pricing for the Staria Hybrid in Korea starts from 34,330,000 won (A$39,580) for the Cargo. The electrified Tourer is only offered in the higher-grade Modern trim in Korea, and commands a circa-4,000,000 won (A$4611) premium over the equivalent diesel version.
Staria Load (AU)
As for Australia, Hyundai’s local division has voiced interest in the Staria Hybrid should it be made available for export markets and right-hand drive, though it’s unclear if and when that will happen.
The Hyundai Staria Hybrid would serve as an alternative to the forthcoming Kia Carnival Hybrid, which uses the same drivetrain, as well as the Volkswagen T7 Multivan eHybrid PHEV should it make it to our market – the plug-in version currently isn’t locked in.
There’s otherwise limited competition in terms of electrified vans and people movers, until you get into the more premium price brackets where the hybrid Lexus LM as well as the all-electric LDV MIFA 9, Mercedes-Benz EQV and eVito play.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest, and let us know in the comments if you’d buy a Staria Hybrid.
