Face Change: Hyundai Starex (2006)

September 30,2006

Hyundai Motor Co. is currently at the top of its game. Its USA arm, once derided for patchy quality, was recently recognized as the number one mass-market brand in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. Its lineup worldwide has never been better. Years of patiently investing in design and quality improvements is apparently paying off.

In the Philippines, its success story began with the unofficial importation of a not-so-little minivan called the Starex. With support only from your friendly neighborhood car dealers, the van cornered market leadership in its segment. Even local manufacturers were confounded by the Starex’s proliferation.

When Hyundai Automotive Resources Inc. started its official Philippine presence, it took the prudent steps of servicing the tens of thousands of Starex already on the road and including an updated version in its lineup.

The current vehicle will still be recognizable to anyone who’s ridden in the previous model. The most obvious difference is a “freshened” look up front. The bland but pleasant countenance of the original has given way to an odd appearance with a gaping mouth. It’s no longer as jarring as when it was first revealed, but it’s still capable of turning heads.

Go beyond the oddball nose and you’ll find that the van has been improved in numerous ways. Drivetrain, interior, and chassis have all been heavily reworked, and rust protection should now be adequate.

The biggest upgrade is under the hood. In place of the serviceable but ancient diesel engines of the old vehicle is a thoroughly modern power plant with common-rail direct injection. The 2.5-liter inline-4 generates 145 hp, and an enormous 360 Nm at 2000 rpm, quite enough to lug around the 1620 kg of van around town. Big diesel 4x4s will be hard-pressed to keep up with a Starex, especially on steep uphill roads. It doesn’t seem to make much of a difference whether there are one or eight people on board.

If you’re planning to let anyone besides Mang Domeng drive this, then for their sakes, get the automatic. The four-speed auto makes taking helm of the Starex much easier, and still returns a reasonable 7.8 km/liter.

This is not a vehicle that you’d enjoy driving alone, or as a couple. The presence of a hood means you don’t get that minibus feel, as you would in refrigerator van, but there’s simply too much bulk behind you.

All that space pays off when you’re loading up the whole clan for a trip to the mall. The enormous interior room has eight forward-facing rear seats, the rear accessible via a single sliding door. There are aircon vents for all seats and the fabric upholstery is adequate. The inescapable wood trim still panels the dashboard. Controls are well laid-out and in plain sight.

Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, as is a driver’s airbag. Higher-spec models offer ABS and four-wheel drive. There are predictably low limits to the cornering speed, and don’t even think about unruly driving in this vehicle. Ride is soft and complaint, without undue pitching and wallowing. The rear suspension gives a heave with driving over humps but no more so than a truck-based SUV would.

Price and size were once the only reasons to get a Starex, but no longer. Price has stayed reasonable, with the GRX retailing for less than some compact SUVs and the Starex is still among the largest in its class. Full factory support and professionally-run dealers are now part of the package. It’s not as clever or as stylish as the newer minivans but the Starex has evolved beyond its donor Japanese chassis and drivetrain to still be among the top choices for family transport.

By Jason K. Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang

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