Hyundai Staria refreshed and now available with hybrid power

Hyundai Australia has revealed local pricing and specifications for the mid-life facelift of its Staria people mover and its Staria Load van sibling. Highlights for the update include freshened styling, a revised model line-up, a new hybrid drivetrain and the promise of an electric variant in the Load range later in 2026. Due to the range reshuffling and new features, pricing has risen across the board and now starts at $49,990 plus on-road costs for the Load and $54,300 +ORC for the Staria.

The biggest news on the range is the addition of the new 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid drivetrain, which is available in the base model and Premium versions of the Load, and the new Lounge variant in the Staria range. Making 180kW of power, it’s not quite as powerful as the 200kW 3.5-litre V6 option still available in the Staria, but it’s bound to be significantly less thirsty.

Hyundai Australia is yet to reveal fuel consumption figures for the hybrid, but in the related Kia Carnival, the same drivetrain uses just 5.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

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The 130kW 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and aforementioned 3.5-litre V6 engine options continue unchanged, though the diesel is now front-wheel drive (not all-wheel drive) for a 1L/100km fuel saving to 7.2L/100km. A 160kW electric Load will also be launched later in 2026.

The futuristic twins have also received light styling changes, such as a new front grille and new 18-inch alloy wheels, plus new tech changes inside like a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Hyundai’s latest ‘ccNc’ infotainment system with connected services and over-the-air updates, as well as a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

The brand has reshuffled both ranges too, with the base Load and upper-spec Load Premium remaining as before and the previous Staria Elite and Highlander shelved, with the new Lounge replacing the Highlander at the top of the range.

Compared with the regular Staria, the Lounge adds two chairs in the second row with electric adjustment, heating and ventilation, as well as Nappa leather upholstery (in black, burgundy or beige colouring), an acoustic laminated windshield and front door glass reduce wind noise, privacy side glass, satin chrome door handles, door scuffs, unique alloy wheels, ambient mood lighting, sat-nav and suede-finished headliner and pillars.

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The entry-level Load has also picked up a lot of standard features, including keyless entry with push button start, sat-nav, single-zone automatic climate control and a battery heating system.

Hyundai Staria update pricing (excluding on-road costs):