While Hyundai is co-developing a new electric van with General Motors in the U.S. for 2028, in several European markets, the company is preparing for the launch of the Staria Electric this year.
It has already commenced sales of the electric minivan in South Korea, and at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show, it is showcasing the model in its new Limousine grade.
We took a close look at the Hyundai Staria Limousine Electric at the event, and here are the interesting observations we made:
Design
The electric minivan has a sleek front-end with smooth surfacing on the hood and covered upper grille area, a slim full-width daytime running light bar, vertically stacked headlamps, and active air flaps.
The body-colored panel in the upper grille area has a rectangular cover securing the charging port on the left side. The gold metallic accents on the bumper and skid plate are exclusive to the Limousine trim.
On the sides, the beltline drops from the front toward the rear in the front doors and stretches straight all the way back to give a larger glass area for enhanced visibility. Gold metallic accents on the side sills continue the Limousine-special styling. Black mirrors, exclusive 17-inch black wheels, and power-sliding doors are also among the highlights here.
At the rear, the elongated vertical tail lamps feature Parametric Pixel graphics for a technical look. Here, too, Hyundai has used gold metallic accents on the skid plate for a more polished appearance on the Limousine trim.
Interior
The interior of the Hyundai Staria Limousine Electric has a proper minivan look with a tall and hefty dashboard that offers several storage spaces and a walk-through space in the first row.
There’s also a large center console storage box between the front seats for more utility. 12.3-inch cockpit displays and subtle mood lighting give the interior a modern styling.
The Staria Limousine Electric is a six-seater with a comfort-focused 2+2+2 layout. Hyundai equips it with executive second-row seats, which offer five massage modes using 14 air cells, a one-touch relaxation function, and a posture memory system. These seats include even winged headrests and 14-way power adjustment.
Experience in the Hyundai Staria Limousine Electric
I spent time in the Hyundai Staria Electric 6-seater, and this version felt far more premium than the model I experienced earlier this year. The second row is the highlight, with two individual captain chairs instead of the simpler setup in the earlier vehicle.
These seats have controls integrated into the armrests, including seat ventilation, seat heating, electric adjustment, and multiple levels of movement.
Even for a six-footer, comfort in the second row is excellent. I found the back support strong, under-thigh support very good, and side bolstering supportive. The headrests are electrically adjustable, and there is also a massage function for both the seat base and seatback, which would be useful after a long day.
Because the battery pack sits under the floor, my knees were slightly raised, but it was still manageable. The powered leg extenders also make the second row feel properly relaxing.
Passengers get a wireless phone charger, USB-C ports, a 100W fast charger, power outlets, adjustable cupholders, and small storage under the armrest. There is also a 17-inch fold-out entertainment screen on the roof with apps such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Wavve.
Roof-mounted air vents help distribute airflow more evenly, and passengers can adjust temperature and fan speed from the headliner console. However, this display vehicle did not have the optional glass roof.
Access to the third row is easy using the handle below the second-row armrest, and the tall roof helps with the opening. In the third row, I had plenty of headroom, with around 4 inches left for a 6-foot adult.
Knee room was also better than expected, with about 2.4 inches remaining even when the third-row seat was moved all the way back. I was wearing roughly U.S. size 12 shoes, and legroom was still not an issue.
The third-row seats are narrower and slightly upright, and under-thigh support is not as good as in the second row, However, the sliding function, reclining backrest, adjustable headrests, USB port, cupholders, manual sunshade, ambient lighting, and one-touch second-row release button make them genuinely usable.
Specifications
The Staria Limousine Electric has the same technical setup as the regular electric minivan, which is borrowed from the Ioniq 5. A front-mounted motor produces 160 kW (215 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque, and it relies on an 84 kWh battery pack that delivers a range of 364 km (226 miles).
Price
In South Korea, the Hyundai Staria Limousine Electric retails at 87.87 million won (approximately USD 56,500).
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
