Hyundai Staria Hybrid: A Competitor to the Electrified Kia Carnival in the Works

By Jeff Gibbs

Hyundai has been observed testing a hybrid prototype of its Staria model in Korea, hinting at a direct competitor for the upcoming Kia Carnival hybrid. Initially, the uncamouflaged appearance of the parked Staria suggested a combustion-powered production model until close examination of stickers on the vehicle revealed a different story. The stickers bore the text “US4 HEV,” with US4 being the internal codename for the Staria and HEV indicating Hyundai Motor Group’s hybrid acronym. Although Hyundai has not officially announced a hybrid model, it aligns with the introduction of a hybrid option for the related Kia Carnival during its mid-life update.

Visually, the spied Staria closely resembles its combustion-powered counterpart, implying that distinctions might be limited to hybrid-specific features such as digital instrument cluster screens or infotainment touchscreen. Reports suggest that Hyundai is likely to utilise the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain found in the Santa Fe Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid, with a total system output of 171kW.

According to Korean Car Blog, the Staria’s turbocharged engine could generate a maximum of 134kW and 270Nm, while the electric motor might produce 44kW and 264Nm. In comparison to other hybrid models by Hyundai and Kia, the Staria HEV’s total system outputs differ slightly due to a unique tune. Notably, the current-generation Staria’s diesel and petrol engines offer lower power compared to the corresponding powertrains in the Kia Carnival.

The Hyundai Staria Hybrid.

Moreover, the hybrid Staria is not the sole electrified variant in the pipeline. In 2021, Hyundai revealed plans to introduce a hydrogen fuel-cell version of the Staria, slated for a 2023 release, although details about the Staria FCEV have been relatively sparse since the announcement.

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