Hyundai Staria Electric: A Spaceship Finally Gets Plugged In
At the Brussels Motor Show, Hyundai decided to prove that their futuristic Staria MPV doesn’t necessarily have to smell like diesel. The newly unveiled Staria Electric is officially the brand’s largest EV to date, even dethroning the fresh Ioniq 9. This "spaceship," stretching over five meters in length, has now been equipped with an 800-volt architecture and a 218-horsepower electric motor mounted on the front axle, tasked with somehow getting that massive body up to speed.
Visually, the changes have been minimalist—and why mess with a design that already looks like a prop from a sci-fi movie? The most notable update is the charging port integrated into the front end, allowing the 84 kWh battery to be topped up from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes. While the promised 400-kilometer range sounds respectable on paper, considering the vehicle's mass and aerodynamic profile, it will likely remain a beautiful dream in real-world highway conditions. Much like other new Hyundai models, the Staria supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology, meaning the van can act as a giant power bank to fuel external equipment.
Inside, Hyundai has taken a practical turn by bringing physical buttons back to the center console—a move that is undoubtedly a welcome relief after years of screen-mania. To improve ride comfort, the dampers were upgraded and a generous amount of soundproofing was added to compensate for the absence of engine noise. Although this giant will go on sale in South Korea and Europe in the first half of this year, the Staria Electric remains a niche product for those who need maximum space while simultaneously wishing to project an eco-conscious lifestyle.
