As two of the most prominent brands of the modern era, it's little surprise to see Hyundai and Kia pushing the boat out on the design front, revealing some of the most progressive models we've ever seen.
Unlike Kia's futuristic-looking EV6, Hyundai's new Staria is exclusively petrol and diesel-powered, but is guaranteed to be a head-turner as it's rolled out throughout New Zealand.
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At the front, the Staria gets a bold grille with headlights embedded on each side, and a light bar that sits above. At the rear, it gets a tail light arrangement that's just as modern as the front.
While it might not look like it, it's worth noting that this Staria is quite a unit. It's got a wheelbase of 3.2 metres, and a full length of 5.2, making it longer than Volkswagen's California.
In New Zealand, both the regular Staria and the Staria Load will be powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine pumping out 129kW and 431Nm of torque.
Standard on the entry model is a wireless smartphone charger, five USB charging ports, a grand total of 16 cupholders, a 4.2-inch colour TFT driver information display, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).
There are also standard Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist (FCA-JT), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist (BCA-R) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) systems.
“It’s undeniable that New Zealand finally has a cool looking people mover. And it’s kitted out with segment-leading technology and safety features ideal for families,” says Hyundai New Zealand General Manager, Andy Sinclair.
“Van drivers spend hours in their vehicle, and with Staria Load, they now have the comfort they deserve. The increase in cargo space is also significant, which will be of value to businesses.”
