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Does the Hyundai Stargazer have what it takes to shake up the MPV segment?

It comes with many of the features that Filipinos would want in their next MPV.

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Hyundai Stargazer

The Hyundai Stargazer launched as the brand’s entry into the MPV segment of the Philippine market. It also marks the 5th model to be launched under the revised model lineup of Hyundai Philippines. The new Hyundai MPV is set to go against the established Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander, Toyota Avanza, Toyota Veloz, Maxus G50, and Suzuki XL7. With the market already being crowded as it is at least for the MPV segment does the Hyundai Stargazer have what it takes to make its mark on the market?

Hyundai Stargazer exterior

The Hyundai Stargazer also fondly dubbed the mini Staria for its futuristic styling shakes up the segment with just that. It comes with a new design that's different from the typical look of its competitors. It goes for a unique set of low-mounted LED headlights and a daytime running light that extends the full width of the vehicle at the front. 

Moving over to the side and it gets an angular set of 16-inch wheels which matches Hyundai’s more modern and angular design philosophy. While the photos don’t do it justice, the MPV does come with a few cuts and creases on the side that make the side profile of the vehicle pop more. What would otherwise be a flat surface has been turned into something sleeker and well you guessed it more angular. The same can also be said for the rear where it gets triangular-shaped LED taillights in an H layout. You can immediately tell it's a Hyundai because of this. 

The Hyundai Stargazer definitely does have the looks to become a game-changer in the MPV segment. It has a unique and futuristic look that can undoubtedly attract buyers. It may look similar to the Mitsubishi Xpander but its approach is a bit cleaner and a bit more sophisticated.

Hyundai Stargazer interior

Hyundai knows that your car, especially if you are starting a new family will take some use and abuse. The interior will get scratched up over time and even possibly stained. This is why they chose to use sturdier plastic materials instead of the soft leather that you will often find in other vehicles. It may not be pleasing to the eyes of other consumers but it's more of a function with a bit of form. A case and point is the polarizing bezel that covers the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. Based on photos alone not everyone likes this design but when you see it in person then it begins to make sense. The matte gray works well with the interior of the Stargazer and the materials used are durable. Not to mention this is one of the few MPVs that come with leather seats available. 

Hyundai has geared the Stargazer to be a family-oriented vehicle so it knows what you will need. Storage space is plentiful inside the vehicle with there even a small storage compartment that can fit your phone in easily. Not to mention there are shelves within the dashboard where items can be placed. Even at the back, this attention to detail for storage space continues as the door sidings even have integrated cup holders in them. This goes to show that Hyundai has really geared the MPV to be just that a multi-purpose vehicle. It has chosen function with a dash of form for the cabin of the Stargazer. Everything is functional and utilitarian. 

Hyundai Stargazer infotainment

In the MPV segment today, there are vehicles out there that come with a plethora of technology features available. The Hyundai Stargazer is no different as it sports a digital instrument cluster along with an 8-inch infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Not only that but it also comes with a six-speaker sound system and a reverse camera with guidelines as well. The top variant of the Hyundai MPV even gets a wireless charger added to it, on top of the many USB ports readily available inside the vehicle. 

This yet again drives home the point that Hyundai knows what they were doing when they were designing this vehicle and kitting it out for the modern Philippine market. The South Korean automaker knows that in this day and age most people will have a cell phone with them. This means that chargers or charging points will be needed in order to keep everyone topped up. A reverse camera is also a must as many drivers now look for this feature as it is slowly becoming a standard in the automotive industry. This not only makes the Stargazer competitive against its rivals but also a bit of a pioneer when it comes to certain features that it brings to the table.

Hyundai Stargazer engine

In terms of its power figures, the Hyundai Stargazer isn’t the most powerful naturally aspirated MPV available on the market today. This title belongs to the Honda BR-V, however, the Stargazer does come quite close with 112hp and 144 Nm of torque from its 1.5-liter gasoline engine. This puts it in a solid second place from the rest of its competitors. While the horsepower figures are lower for the Hyundai MPV it nearly matches the Honda MPV in terms of torque and this is where it matters the most. Having the right amount of torque is essential for a vehicle that is designed to seat and carry seven people. It's what you need to get up hills and over steep inclines.

With that said, during our quick tour of the Hyundai Stargazer, we found it to be quite balanced. Power was there when you needed it and the IVT was quick to react. While we haven’t gotten around to testing the fuel efficiency figures just yet we suspect that it will be on par with the competition if not even better. For the power it offers, the Stargazer gives you just the right amount of power and the right amount of torque for what you will need it to do.

Hyundai Stargazer gear shifter

Another thing that Hyundai has done to separate the Stargazer from the rest of its competitors is to give it an all-CVT lineup. While the South Korean automaker calls its CVTs as IVTs (intelligent variable transmissions) they function in the same way. This lets the ratios be adjusted on the fly to give you power and torque when you need it. As this is also considered to be an automatic transmission there is no need for you to shift your own gears. Thanks to the tech that it offers, the IVT will also help you with fuel efficiency by keeping the engine revolutions low while cruising.

This now brings us back to the question, does the Hyundai Stargazer have what it takes to shake up the MPV segment?  Yes, the Hyundai Stargazer has what it takes to shake up the MPV segment. It offers you great value for money and is priced competitively against its Japanese counterparts. It gives you a great feature, a spacious yet utilitarian interior, up-to-date technology, and balanced power. It perfectly fits into the MPV segment and will easily make its way into your top 5 list of MPVs if you are ever considering buying one. 

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