Introducing the Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine
As the domestic large SUV market expands, demand for minivans has also significantly increased. Among the models available, one stands out as a luxury standard for high-end chauffeur-driven vans.
Today, we introduce the Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine. The name may be long, but you can think of it as the high-roof version based on the top-spec Lounge Inspiration of the Staria.
One of the standout features is the interior mood lighting, which creates a spacious feel thanks to the increased height of 210 mm. The Staria Lounge Limousine features star-shaped lighting that symbolizes the vehicle and a wide 25-inch display, enhancing the overall ambiance.
The spaciousness and comfort of the second-row relaxation seats evoke the feeling of first-class on an airplane.
The movable pop-up console, which can slide back and forth, offers more than just cupholder functionality. It also includes a pop-up table for enjoying in-flight meals, providing versatile space utilization.
Now, let's shift our focus back to the interior. Today, rather than a test drive, we'll primarily address the differences in exterior and interior design.
Let's start with the exterior design. The sleek, aerodynamic design maintains its appeal while the high roof integrates seamlessly from the A-pillar, giving the Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine a polished look.
The black color paired with champagne gold accents looks stunning. The limousine-specific 18-inch black high-gloss wheels are far more glamorous than those on the standard Staria.
I spotted a standard Staria passing by, which looked like a typical van with minimal options, but it still managed to conceal a sporty design. However, the difference with the limousine is quite noticeable.
Personally, if I were to choose the Staria, especially the Lounge Limousine version, I would opt for black over white. Black symbolizes luxury in minivans, and once you see the combination of the Hyundai emblem and the radiator grille with champagne gold trim, you’ll find it hard to imagine any other color.
Isn’t it beautiful? High-roof versions of minivans often look awkward, as if aftermarket modifications raised the cargo area. Some companies do offer such modifications.
In contrast, the Hyundai Staria Limousine features a one-curve gesture design that seamlessly connects the front pillar to the high roof, giving it a cohesive look as if it was designed this way from the beginning. The increased height also enhances the spaciousness of the interior.
However, due to the increased height, some underground parking garages may require caution when entering. Most garages have height restrictions of about 6.9 feet, so it might be a tight fit. For reference, the Staria Limousine stands about 2 inches taller than the Carnival high-roof model.
The shark fin antenna might look like it’s stuck to the roof like something from a bumper car at an amusement park. The gem-like patterns on the rear of the high roof add a touch of luxury, and they harmonize beautifully with the dot tail lamps.
Now, let’s take a look at the interior. The driver’s seat in the first row doesn’t differ much from the standard Staria, but the movable console adds a slight variation in the center console’s design.
The storage space is ample, with around fifty cupholders scattered throughout the cabin. There are plenty of USB charging ports, including two Type-C ports in the movable console.
Additionally, a 220V converter is located behind the console. While it may seem trivial, this feature is a game-changer for those who use laptops in the car or enjoy camping.
The air conditioning system includes an air purification feature, with an additional air purifier located behind the passenger seat to ensure a pleasant environment for the second row. The touch-sensitive button activates it with a beep, although it does produce some noise.
The second-row seats feature a sliding door design, with a powered side step on the right for easy entry and exit. The photo shows the left side where it’s not present.
The powered side step is located on the right side, and you can control its settings via a button on the right side of the steering wheel.
Above all, the expansive legroom is impressive. The large display allows you to watch HD DMB broadcasts or connect mobile and portable devices via HDMI/USB, making it an excellent feature for long family trips.
Sitting in the independent relaxation seats, which recline almost like massage chairs, while watching a movie makes spending several hours in the car feel effortless.
The visibility of the large 25-inch display is excellent, and its integrated speaker design looks quite sophisticated.
As a high-roof limousine trim, the headroom is exceptionally generous.
Both the second and third rows of seats can slide back and forth, allowing for ample legroom in the third row, comparable to that of many SUVs.
As a minivan, the trunk offers enough space to stand up to four golf bags, even with the third-row seats in use.
During my test drive of the Staria Lounge Limousine, I realized that for those who already own a daily driver and need a luxurious minivan for weekend trips or business purposes, the Staria could replace the Carnival as the most upscale domestic option available.
Moreover, the previously noted downside regarding ride comfort has significantly improved in this limousine version. Although I’m unsure what adjustments they made to the suspension, I hardly felt any discomfort when traversing uneven road surfaces. While it may not be as soft as air suspension, the Staria Limousine addresses many of the previous shortcomings of the standard model.
The Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine is sufficiently luxurious for VIP chauffeur service. This review concludes with the price range starting from 4,500,000 KRW (approximately $3,500 USD) to 5,200,000 KRW (approximately $4,000 USD). The vehicle I tested, a 7-seater, is priced at 5,000,000 KRW (approximately $3,800 USD) with some additional options, bringing it to the upper end of the price range. While options vary, owning such a high-end minivan in the $40,000 price range seems quite appealing.
That wraps up the review.