The Hyundai Staria Electric is the brand’s biggest EV yet and directly competes with the VW ID. Buzz in Europe. We had a chance to check out the new electric minivan at its world premiere and see if it could offer the kind of shift the U.S. minivan segment did not get from the German model. Here’s what we found out:
Exterior
The Hyundai Staria Electric closely resembles its ICE donor, since the original design itself looked quite futuristic and aerodynamic, just how one would expect a modern electric minivan to look like. The electric derivative looks sleeker with subtle exterior changes.
At the front, we noticed that Hyundai has replaced the conventional grille with a smooth, body-colored panel that integrates an off-center charging port cover. A separate lower panel incorporates active grille shutters and features a horizontal slat pattern.
We also found out that Hyundai has added “STARIA” inscription on the left side of the DRL strip, which gives a nice touch of sophistication.
Along the sides, exclusively designed 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/65R17 Nexen Roadian CTX tires further reduce drag. At the rear, the familiar tower-like vertical tail lamps carry over, and an “electric” badge appears on the tall, glass-heavy tailgate.
Interior
In Europe, Hyundai will offer the Staria Electric in seven- and nine-seat versions. The company will equip it with features like Digital Key, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, dual 12.3-inch cockpit displays, and 100-watt USB ports.
Opening the front door of the Staria Electric, we immediately noticed that the step-in height feels closer to a commercial passenger carrier than a typical car. It sits a little higher off the ground, but entry does not feel difficult.
Seat comfort in the front left little to complain about. Even at around six feet tall, we found the driving position comfortable. The seat offers good back support, good shoulder support, generous headroom, and very good under-thigh support.
Both front seats also come with individual adjustable armrests, and these allow fine-tuning of the seating position for longer drives.
Forward and side visibility stand out as strong points. The large windows and the almost U-shaped front glass area make it easy to see out in multiple directions, which should help in both city driving and tight parking situations.
The sliding door opens electrically, and the second-row seats offer manual fore-aft adjustment with an electrically adjustable backrest. We found entry easy, and comfort stands out thanks to strong back and under-thigh support.
These are individual captain’s chairs with heating, ventilation, slim armrests, and supportive headrests. The second row reclines deeply with extendable leg rests.
In the third row, we found knee room to be generous even for a six-foot-tall occupant. The backrest is adjustable, but the seat itself is a bench and does not match the second row in comfort, as expected. Under-thigh support feels only average.
That said, the third row does not feel uncomfortable and it also includes practical features such as cupholders, a USB port, and window shades that can be clipped in manually. We also found reading lights and air vents for third-row passengers, which help make the space more usable for longer roadtrips.
Specifications
The Hyundai Staria Electric is a FWD-only model, with a single motor that produces 160 kW (215 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque. An 84 kWh battery pack, which is shared with the Ioniq 5, is standard, and it charges from 10% to 80% SoC as quickly as approximately 20 minutes.
Like most Hyundai EVs, the Staria Electric does have vehicle-to-load (V2L) bi-directional charging capability. Hyundai says the electric van can achieve a top speed of 184 km/h (114 mph) and tow up to 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs.). According to WLTP, the new electric minivan delivers a range of up to 400 kilometers (249 miles).
Release Date
Hyundai plans to launch the Staria Electric in South Korea and Europe in the first half of 2026, with more markets to follow. We think the model suits U.S. buyers in terms of comfort, connectivity, and safety, but we also think its range would hold it back.
EPA-estimated figures typically trail WLTP ratings by a wide margin, and a projected 200 to 225 miles would severely fall short of expectations in this segment. Hyundai could use the experience from selling the Staria Electric to further improve the electric van it will co-develop with GM and launch as early as 2028.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
