Another hybrid Hyundai is on its way to the Philippine market, joining forces with the electrified Hyundai Sante Fe, and Tucson. The Land Transporation Office (LTO) recently published the homologation papers for a particular Hyundai Staria. This Staria is classified as a ‘Lounge’ variant and is listed with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.
The hybrid Hyundai Staria first made some noise back in March 2024, and after almost a full calendar year, it may finally be heading to Philippine roads. In its debut, the hybrid minivan made headlines with its impressive fuel economy—about 13km/L in mixed driving conditions. Compared to the 10.8km/L performance of the 2.2-liter turbodiesel variants, like the ones we have here in the Philippines, it makes a marginal but meaningful difference.
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The incoming hybrid Staria is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, with a maximum output of 180kW. In other markets, the hybrid Staria can be opted for 17- or 18-inch alloys, but according to the homologation papers, local buyers are stuck with just the 18-inch option.
In its home market of South Korea, the hybrid Staria is offered in cargo and 11-passenger configurations, but it looks like the Philippine market is getting the premium Lounge variant. Sporting a three-row, seven-seater layout, the Lounge Staria could bolster the existing top-spec Staria variants, and further crack down on the Kia Carnival and the Toyota Alphard. It follows the same blueprint with comfortable captain seats in its second row, with a wide bench seat in the back.
Other Lounge variants in South Korea come in nine-passenger layouts and other customizable arrangements for the second and third rows. The introduction of the hybrid Staria could set the stage for more configurations, and powertrain options to hit the Philippine market.
There is no official word from Hyundai Motor Philippines yet regarding the local debut of the hybrid Staria, or its Philippine pricing.
