Hyundai is jumping on the electric MPV bandwagon with its new Staria

Electric MPVs are in right now – and make no mistake we’re all for it – and now Hyundai wants a slice of the pie. Say hello to the new Staria Electric.

It’s not a new name, of course, with the ICE Staria having been with us since 2021. Just not on our shores. Hyundai UK tells us that while it “intends” to bring the Staria EV here, we won’t know for sure until after the Brussels Motor Show. TBC, in other words.

Anyway, here’s what you need to know. No mistaking it’s an MPV to look at, and we’re told it gets an ‘Inside-Out’ theme – nothing to do with the Pixar film – that shapes the exterior around the cabin experience. Because it’s in there that really matters here.

So, there’s a high roofline, a completely flat floor, and a long wheelbase. We’re also told it’ll be highly adaptable, and in seven – complete with two individual thrones in the second row – or nine seat configurations. The former is designed for families, the latter for taxis.

The driver isn’t forgotten about either, with dual 12.3in digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, plus physical controls for ‘frequently used functions’ – including, rejoice, the climate controls. All very sensible from where we’re sitting.

What else? Ah yes, underneath. It mates a 215bhp front drive electric motor to an 84kWh lithium-ion battery. No 0-62mph time is given, presumably because this is a family bus, not a supercar for goodness sake, but we are told the top speed is 114mph.

More pertinent though is the 249-mile claimed range, while a 10-80 per cent charge takes approximately 20 minutes thanks to 800V electrical architecture. That’s the rate at which electricity can be delivered through the platform and to the motors/batteries.

It also gets plenty of mod cons including Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, meaning it can power everything from laptops to your entire campsite, high power 100W USBs, and ‘a rear view and talk function’ for spying on passengers. And a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg.

Reckon the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Kia PV5 – both Top Gear Award winners in recent times – should be worried?