Hyundai Philippines debuts the 2024 Custin and Stargazer X

For today, Hyundai’s main focus in its lineup is Minivans and MPVs. Since the brand’s revamp in the country, these two body styles have been one of the best-sellers for the South Korean automaker. The Stargazer and the Staria are two new but now famous names in the brand’s lineup and now Hyundai is looking to add two new names into the mix, one is an enhanced version of a well-liked model, and the other is totally new name altogether. 

Hyundai Philippines may already have a van and an MPV in the mix, but for those who want more features and value, an expansion of the brand's offerings is a definite plus. With regard to a more SUV-like MPV experience, the Stargazer X is there to answer the call, with regard to a more affordable and more compact minivan experience, the Custin is now here. 

Starting with the Stargazer X, the MPV features more ground clearance, more rugged looks, and a slightly different interior compared to the standard Stargazer. The model has a more prominent grille compared to its baser brother and it also features body cladding all around for a more SUV-like look. The ground clearance is 200mm, and it has 17-inch alloy wheels with a dual-tone finish. 

The features, otherwise everything is more or less the same with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), and also seven seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. Apart from that, we also get a new instrument panel, a Supervision 4.2-inch TFT LCD panel framed in a high-gloss frame unlike the matte panel seen on the standard Stargazers. The same eight-inch touchscreen display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is still available just like before. Apart from that, the interior has leather seats finished with additional red accents stitching to play into the more athletic nature of the Stargazer X compared to the standard Stargazer. 

The colors available for the Stargazer X include Magnetic Silver Metallic, Creamy White Pearl, and also Dragon Red Pearl, the last of which is the newest and most striking option in the lineup. 

Now, for the model that most of us have been waiting for, the Hyundai Custin. While we all know that the Staria has cornered a certain price bracket given its utility and its comfort at higher-end trims, the Custin is more compact compared to the Staria, coming in at 4,950mm in length, 1,850mm in width, and 1,710mm in height. The Custin features a wheelbase of 3,055mm. With these dimensions, however, the Custin is still longer than the Santa Fe, which means that this is squarely a minivan in terms of its size, not exactly as full-size as its bigger brother the Staria. 

With its larger dimensions and added weight, the model features a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Custin is equipped to handle most tasks. The engine is capable of 168 hp and 253 Nm of torque. As for the platform of the Custin, the model comes with a MacPherson Strut in the front and a Coupled Torsion beam in the rear, resulting in a semi-independent suspension setup. As for the wheels, there are two options depending on the variant you choose which includes either 17 or 18-inch alloys. Brake discs are available front and rear and the tires are 225-wide sets for both variants. Apart from that, the Custo gets LED reflectors as standard throughout the lineup, and it also gets the same LED-halogen treatment at the rear. 

The interior of the Custin is the headline-maker for the model. All trims will get power sliding doors, but the base trim only gets the power door on one side of the vehicle while the premium trim gets it on both sides. On top of that, the premium variant will get a power tailgate while the base trim doesn’t have this feature. The center console is dominated by a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display that's portrait-oriented and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers are reserved for the top of the line while the base trim gets only four. 

One of the more differentiating feature sets that separate the Premium and the standard Custin is the Hyundai SMARTSENSE suite which includes Rear Cross Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, and a Surround View Monitor. The standard trim, however, will get a reverse camera still, and also parking sensors for the front and rear. On top of that, you'll also be getting Manual Speed Limit Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-SPot Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, and Lane Following Assist on top of the other features mentioned if you go for the top-of-the-line variant. 

Apart from that, there are other additional accessories and features between the Premium and standard Custin, which include tray tables, rear privacy screens, more one-touch windows, and also upgraded seats. While both models feature captain’s chairs, the Premium model gets Hyundai’s Premium Relaxation Seats which slide, recline, vents, heats, and also features seat memory. Interior colors also differ, with the Premium variant getting Leather Beige as an exclusive.

On the note of colors, three are available for the Custin, which include Polar White, Military Gray Metallic, and Aurora Blue Pearl. 

Both of these models are available starting today, and the prices of either are very competitive for the segments that they find themselves in. For the Stargazer X, it joins the rest of the Stargazer lineup and it tops out at P1,348,000. 

Meanwhile, the Custin starts at P1,770,000 for the GLS trim and tops out at P2,080,000 for the Premium trim. 

Hyundai Philippines has updated its lineup in a very meaningful way, offering an expansion to its current crop of vehicles, and forraying into a new segment altogether.