Wrong Car, Right Car Online

The great van quest: Hyundai Starex vs Kia Carnival

by Botchi Santos 30 Dec 2009

Hi, Botchi!

I enjoy reading your column and the practical advice I get from it. I want to seek your advice on choosing a van for my growing family.

I was just given a new car plan. After selling our old sedan, I computed I can afford a P1.3-million van, (P1.4-million maybe--if I bring packed lunch everyday). I have browsed through Top Gear Philippines' Buyers' Guide and found that most of the vans I liked--including the Kia Carnival and the CRDi Hyundai Starex--are hundreds of thousands above my budget. And even though they are perfect for us, Toyota Previas and Chrysler Town & Countrys are out of the question.

I saw there are TDi versions of the Starex that are well within my price range. I'm wondering if these are worth spending on considering the TDi is a soon-to-be phased-out technology. The entry-level Toyota Hiace is another possible option but I will be doing most of the driving. Are there technological improvements in terms of comfort in the engine under the driver configuration?

I know there are the Toyota Innovas, Mitsubishi Fuzions and Nissan Grand Livinas but I have this near-irrational preference for vans with sliding doors given the size of our driveway and the practicality of getting seven people in and out of tight mall parking spaces. I remember when my relatives had the Toyota LiteAce and Nissan Vanette. Despite the faults (being underpowered and prone to overheating, respectively), the benefits of legroom, sliding doors and not-so-large vehicle size were enough to overcome it.

I will be getting the car plan next year so I can still wait. Do you have any news if Honda is bringing in the Freed and Mazda the 5 next year? If the answer is yes, I guess my family can still fit into our Toyota Altis for a few more months.

Sincerely,

Zachary Jacob

P.S.: A friend of mine wants to get a replacement of his flooded car. Should he wait for the new Mitsubishi Outlander, fall in line for the new Mazda CX-7 or go to Subaru and get the Forester? Thanks again.


Hey, Zachary Jacob!

You know in Japan people are also obsessed with a van-like atmosphere. That's why new cars are getting taller and taller. A sense of space and luxuriousness gives peace of mind and a relaxed sensation especially while driving in our crowded, traffic streets.

The Hyundai Starex is a great van. Precisely for the same reason you hinted at: the driving experience. The Starex feels the most car-like of the bunch and, really, the Nissan Grand Livina is a rather tight pinch for a seven-seater and the Toyota Innova is more MPV than a true van. The Kia Carnival is okay but it still somehow reminds me of a cheap copy-cat of an American mini-van. It drives really well though.

The Toyota Hiace is perfect as an emergency response team vehicle (think SWAT). To haul your family in with you driving? Look elsewhere. It's tight and cramped up front despite the roominess out back.

So, yes, I'd say get a Hyundai Starex. I believe you can find a good deal with the Starex if you drive around. A good place to start looking is the Hyundai showroom at the Bonifacio Global City. They give huge (and I mean HUGE) discounts and freebies, exclusive to them. Direct injection is not a dead technology, FYI. Common Rail Direct Injection is just an upgraded version of it but the main point of the technology behind it is very similar.

Good luck and keep us posted on your plans!

Botchi Santos
Consumer editor

P.S. Tell your friend to get a Subaru Forester Turbo XT! That is the very best of its kind! Well worth the premium. The Mazda CX-7 is a good one as well, but dynamically it isn't as polished nor as luxurious as the Forester. As for the Mitsubishi Outlander, I am not aware of a replacement coming out soon but I've been busy at work I haven't had a chance to keep up on the latest news.

Lost in a sea of cars and not quite sure which one to get? Click here to email your car query so Botchi can help you pick the right vehicle! 

 

 
Tags: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, Chrysler

Post Comment | Comments (26) |

 
 
 
 
 

COMMENTS

  • maranello_5775 says pick the TDI grandstarex, it is better than the hiace commuter (30 December 2009)
  • evilwez says im a toyota fan and never will be a fan of hyundai.. but i agree to botchi.. just get the starex.. (30 December 2009)
  • TherOn says well i kinda like the carnival coz of the auto sliding doors and stuff like those... but those starex or the previa have that kind of feature? (31 December 2009)
  • goldcrow says +1 for the Starex, if I needed a van, I'd be looking at the Starex before anything else. (31 December 2009)
  • Vanoit says Yeah, the Vanette was great except for the overheating part. I miss my vanette. (31 December 2009)
  • Zach Jacob says Thank you Botchi! So, a TDi Starex is still worth it vs. a CRDi one? (31 December 2009)
  • dcyy-77 says i'll go for toyota commuter more fuel efficient & durable under chassis.if you need more space at the back you can get 1 row & rearrange the seat configuration.starex is expensive to maintain & madaling kalawangin.good luck. (31 December 2009)
  • feeter says Thanks to Botchi for recommending the best van here, it's indeed the Grand Starex won the hearts of many fellow Pilipinos. from Team Hyundai Philippines. Happy New Year. (31 December 2009)
  • maranello_5775 says @dcyy-77,the starex you're pertaining to is the 1st gen model,the current grandstarex is lightyears ahead in terms of quality and durability compared to its ancestors (31 December 2009)
  • eric says bilib ako sa toyota hiace peru go for the starex daming na inlove dyan tulad ng tita ko. . . . saka sabihin mo sa kaibigan mo forester!! (31 December 2009)
  • skapunkboy01 says i prefer starex because it's more luxurious/spacious and has more power than any other Asian make vans. buy the top of the line which has leather seats, but if can't afford it. just buy any crdi. (31 December 2009)
  • Joseph says if it will be the only car in your garage, get the starex. if you have other cars, get the commuter. (01 January 2010)
  • southboy says @maranello.. how did you know? do you have one? (01 January 2010)
  • botchifan says I don't think there will be a new outlander. the outlander gt was only a concept and it is one *gly concept. (01 January 2010)
  • GTA says @botchifan - there is a new outlander, and it looks like the GT concept. It's like a lancer ex SUV. It is already out in other countries, US and Brazil (based on the new outlander commercials in Youtube). I doubt if Mitsubishi will be bringing it here, since, as reported by Top Gear, they will be bringing in the new RVR probably to go against the new Tucson and they already have the Montero. (01 January 2010)
  • maranello_5775 says @southboy,yes we have (01 January 2010)
  • BOOGIECAT says The Grand Starex TCI is way better than the Hiace Commuter. (01 January 2010)
  • Boggs says my father wants to buy the hyundai santa fe and looks forward to its new model. but he also considers the hyundai grand starex (MT/10seater). what's the best choice for family use? and because we own the first starex and a mazda 323 GLI. but my father also likes SUVs nowadays and thinks its more of a choice already and practical than sedans. so what do you think is the best choice? (01 January 2010)
  • rish says @ Boggs: Get the new Tucson! :) (04 January 2010)
  • Julius Dalay says Like what the experts say about the Hyundai Grand Starex what it lacks is "a serious competition". (04 January 2010)
  • Jake The Snake says I wonder why nga van models aren't that diverse here given that extended families are the norm. The Freed would be perfect here. Even the Toyota Wish na sangkatutak sa Thailand. (05 January 2010)
  • Meg says Hi I'm Zach J's friend. He sent me this link. Thank you for your suggestions. I recently checked out the new Tucson and now I'm getting more confused, lalo na when I read about the RVR here. I really like the new Outlander based on the reviews and videos I saw on Youtube, and am really looking forward to seeing it here. The Forester is a close second, based on Botchi's reco. Pero the Tucson's value and toys are very impressive. The CX7 is very nice pero parang masyadong mahal compared to the value offered by the 2.0 Forester and Tucson. (05 January 2010)
  • barzee says our company vehicle, the new Grand Starex, has been experiencing many problems...the worst was the engine stopping while going up a fly-over and did not start...and most common is "loosing" power - happens when you think you are already in 5th gear automatic but it feels slowing or loosing power which may be remedied by going "manual". a couple of trips already to Hyundai The Fort but isn't resolved yet. could be malfunctioning computer box...hope this problem is just an isolated case and does not affect majority of the new Grand Starex bought in 2008. (08 January 2010)
  • in-law says you can't compare the grand starex to a kia carnival, because the kia carnival is a luxury van that challenges chrysler's town and country, you cannot compare it to a grand starex because the carnival has more features, safety and has a big resale value! (22 January 2010)
  • asd says DIYOS KO PO! tinatanong paba yan? Starex o Carnival edi magstarex kana lng hello! (23 January 2010)
  • mom of twins says I would like a Starex too but the rear seats don't have 3pt seatbelts that is required to fit in carseat. (19 May 2010)

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Username :
Password :

Not registered? Click here to be a TopGear.com.ph member.

Click this link to view our posting guidelines.

Latest Top Gear Magazine
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE
TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES MAGAZINE
AND GET A 15% DISCOUNT

Sign up for exclusive automotive updates!

TEXT TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES
TOP GEAR ED <message> <name> <email address> <home address> <cellphone number> and send to 2948 for Smart, Sun and Globe subscribers. P2.50 for Smart and Globe and P2.00 for Sun.
www.topgear.com.ph on Facebook