The Hyundai Staria facelift has gone on sale in South Africa. We take a look at what’s changed and find out what it’s like to drive.
The Hyundai Staria facelift has quietly arrived in South Africa, bringing with it a subtle visual upgrade, additional standard specification and a rejigged line-up.
Since its debut back in 2021, the Staria has sold in impressive numbers across its bus, panel van and Multicab body styles. With over 7 600 units retailed to date, Hyundai South Africa has introduced some worthwhile updates.
Read more: Hyundai Stargazer coming to SA in 2027
What’s new?
The Hyundai Staria facelift is more a gentle evolution than revolution. At the front, the grille has been slightly revised, there are new tail lamp designs and updated wheels ranging from 17 to 18 inches, depending on derivative.
Climb inside and the cabin features a new ,larger 12.3-infotainment screen featuring wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, there’s a new drive-by-wire gear selector and some of the higher-spec grades now get driving modes. There’s a raft of USB charging ports for all passengers. There’s also a new-look multi-function steering wheel.
The 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine and 8-speed automatic transmission are on duty. In this iteration, the engine produces 130 kW and 430 Nm, and power goes to the front wheels. As before, the Staria is available in both 9-seater and 11-seater configurations.
What is the Staria like to drive?
The high seating position gives a commanding view, while large windows create a spacious, airy feel. The cabin features a minimalist digital cluster and a column-based drive selector opens up the front facia even more in comparison to the predecessor.
The diesel engine retains that typical clatter, but performs well, especially when asked to overtake slower traffic on the national highway. While we don’t deem it necessary, the steering-wheel gear shifters are a nice to have, as are the driving modes. Given the price of diesel, we left the car in its most frugal Eco setting.
When it comes to ride quality and refinement, the Staria shares a unibody setup with its SUV siblings and, as a result, has impressive on-road manners and low noise levels. Its long wheelbase, generous tyre sidewalls and compliant suspension easily absorb road imperfections to deliver a comfortable, smooth ride. Like the pre-facelift model, this updated Staria delivers a far more premium ride than the H1 van which preceded it.
How much does the Hyundai Staria facelift cost in South Africa?
The vehicle is sold with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and 7-year/150 000 km of roadside-assistance cover. The Luxury derivative has a 7-year/105 000 km service plan, while the Executive and Elite trims have a 6-year/90 000 km service plan.
| Old model | Pricing | New model | Pricing |
| Staria 2.2 3-seat Panel van | R699 900 | Staria 2.2 3seat PANELVAN | R719 900 |
| Staria 2.2 6-seat Multicab | Discontinued | ||
| Staria 2.2 9-seat Executive Bus AT | R939 900 | Staria 2.2 9seat Executive Bus AT | R959 900 |
| Staria 2.2 11-seat Executive Bus AT | R949 900 | Staria 2.2 11S Executive Bus AT | R969 900 |
| Staria 2.2 9-seat Elite bus AT | R1 079 900 | Staria 2.2 9seat Elite bus AT | R1 099 900 |
| Staria 2.2 9-seat Luxury bus AT | R1 299 900 | Staria 2.2 9seat Luxury bus AT | R1 324 900 |
Summary
The updated Staria is a great case of, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. As the 4th bestselling MPV in South Africa, this newer model introduces some subtle changes to keep it relevant, while not dramatically increasing the price. It should continue to attract a loyal set of buyers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What engine powers the Hyundai Staria in South Africa?
What seating configurations are available in the Hyundai Staria lineup?
- 3-Seater Panel Van: Tailored for commercial cargo transport.
- 9-Seater Bus: Available in Executive, Elite, and flagship Luxury trims for family or VIP passenger transport.
- 11-Seater Bus: Available in Executive trim for maximum passenger capacity.
How much does the Hyundai Staria cost in South Africa?
- Staria 2.2 Panel Van (3-Seater): R719 900
- Staria 2.2 Executive Bus (9-Seater AT): R959 900
- Staria 2.2 Executive Bus (11-Seater AT): R969 900
- Staria 2.2 Elite Bus (9-Seater AT): R1 099 900
- Staria 2.2 Luxury Bus (9-Seater AT): R1 324 900
