2022 Hyundai Grand Starex

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Review

You would think that with the introduction of the Hyundai Staria, the days for the Hyundai Grand Starex would be numbered –but you would be wrong. The two vehicles fight in two completely unique segments, and this is most evident by the wildly different price points. More than that, the Hyundai Starex is an incredibly important product for the brand, as it allows the Korean company to fight in a rarely contested yet highly competitive segment: four row MPVs.

The Hyundai Grand Starex you see today is actually an evolution on a model that people here have already known for a while, and the Hyundai Starex is still the vehicle of choice if a three-row MPV just isn’t cutting it. It combines that high capacity construction and design with a chassis layout that’s designed for durability, and as a result it has maintained a strong lead in the segment.

The first generation of the model came out far back in 1997, and since then there have only been two official generation changes with plenty of facelifts in between – like a true utilitarian workhorse. The most recent facelift was back in 2018, which saw extensive revisions to the overall look and feel of the vehicle though it remains mechanically similar at its core.

It is currently available in Malaysia with two specific variants, with the same engine and powertrain in either. It has traditionally been available here as a turbodiesel, and this continues even with the most current generation off the model.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Specifications

If you’re familiar with Hyundai products, you’ll know that the 2.2-litre turbodiesel powerplant is a common, if not important option for their vehicles. Small adjustments and improvements with each generation means that it’s a little more robust and efficient and potent than ever, and in this model it makes 170 PS and 441 Nm of torque.

Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a five-speed conventional automatic transmission. Yes, rear-wheel drive is a necessity when it comes to carrying this much load and there’s a specific reason a certain Japanese brand maintains rear-wheel drive for their MPVs where possible. The rear driven nature ensures better traction when travelling up inclines and provides a more balanced driving and handling package.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Exterior

On the outside, the Hyundai Grand Starex is just a little more than a simple cuboid in terms of overall shape, but there’s really no reason for something as utilitarian and practical to wear more complex shapes and design elements; it’s all about efficiency in terms of space and manufacturing, and so long the overall design language doesn’t matter as much here except for the front grille, headlights, and tail lights. It definitely has presence, with a width and length that can eclipse quite nearly any other vehicle on the road.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Interior

You may not see much on the inside of the Hyundai Starex besides beige plastics and leather, but there isn’t much to expect when you consider that it’s a people mover at its core. There are many other examples of this out there – MPVs based on commercial van platforms which also have relatively sparse interiors that provide the bare necessities and focus on packaging in the simplest of senses. For the front two occupants there’s a fuss-free simple dashboard layout that keeps everything accessible, though it isn’t by any means a place you want to spend unnecessary amounts of time inside of. Get inside, travel to your intended destination, and get back out – that’s what an MPV like the Grand Starex is for.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Safety Features

There isn’t much in the way of advanced driver assistance feature when it comes to the Hyundai Grand Starex, though this is largely understandable as the overall architecture and platform hails from the mid-2000s. It would be incredibly difficult for Hyundai to retrofit items that run on a much more modern architecture and system, both in terms of the intelligence of control units and the speed at which these units can operate. Still though, there are the rudimentary systems like electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Strengths & Weakness

There would be an obvious weakness in the fact that the Hyundai Grand Starex has been essentially the same car since 2007, with only minor facelifts to keep it going and staying relevant. And yet despite this, somehow, it has managed to soldier on and stay relevant even today. Sure the materials aren’t as extravagant as you would expect to find in a car today, but none of those other options are capable of hauling eleven people across four rows of seat either.

And that has to be an undeniable strength of the Hyundai Grand Starex. Even if you weren’t taking up all eleven seats on your journey, it pays to remember that just because you may have a seven or eight seater vehicle, you may not necessarily have the ability to carry a full assortment of luggage for your passengers; usually boot space is quite nearly entirely eliminated once you pop up the last row of seats, and having the flexibility to keep the fourth row down while maintaining a minimum of eight seats is incredibly valuable when travelling long distance or to the airport.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Price

You can choose between two difference grades of the Hyundai Grand Starex, and as we’ve outlined above there isn’t a huge deal of difference between the two which is also reflected in the differences in price. Both models come with the same powertrain as well: the Executive Plus variant sets you back RM 165,888.00, while the Executive Prime will cost you RM 173,888.00. These prices don’t seem to be factoring in the current sales tax exemption, though there is no word on whether that will be implemented or introduced, or what particular incentive or reduction package will be in play.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Features

There really isn’t much in the way of outright features of the Hyundai Grand Starex, unless you consider being able to carry eleven adults a particularly unique feature. It’s understandable as there isn’t much room or the ability to route features and functionalities so that all occupants an benefit from them, meaning a very rudimentary sound system and infotainment unit are all you’re going to get. Still though, the higher-spec Executive Prime adds on keyless entry and start, as well as one power sliding door with the option to upgrade to two – but both variants are essentially the same product outside of this.

Hyundai Grand Starex 2022 Fuel Consumption

There is no manufacturer quoted fuel consumption rating for the Hyundai Grand Starex, although this is also understandable as it has its roots in commercial vehicle platforms and powertrains. Being a diesel powertrain however should mean that it returns pretty decent fuel consumption, especially if you’re travelling over longer distances and getting up to higher cruising speeds. Be warned that as a turbocharged vehicle, aggressive driving will consume fuel in copious quantities – but thankfully you have a 75 litre fuel tank to get you to where you need to be going.