Hyundai's Futuristic 9-Seater Staria Minivan Goes Full Electric

Sci-Fi Styling Now a Full EV

When Hyundaifirst showed the Staria in 2021, it was hard to miss. The clean lines, huge windows, and wide light bar made it look like an EV. It was, however, still running on combustion engines at the time. Now, Hyundai has closed that gap. The Staria is finally available as a full EV, pairing its futuristic design with zero-emission power.

The Staria Electric made its debut at the Brussels Motor Show as Hyundai’s new flagship minivan. It keeps the updated look from the latest combustion models, but now the design finally matches what’s under the hood. Hyundai is aiming this at families, shuttle operators, and anyone who needs space and efficiency in equal measure. Instead of trying to reinvent the minivan, they’ve just brought a modern one up to date.

Familiar Shape, Smarter Space

The Staria Electric sticks close to the original formula. The one-curve shape, low beltline, and big windows are all still here. The main EV changes are up front, with a closed grille, cleaner surfaces, and a single light bar that stretches across the nose. Sliding doors and a wide rear opening make it easy to get people or cargo in and out, even when space is tight.

Size-wise, the Staria Electric is in a different class from the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. At about 207 inches long and with a 129-inch wheelbase, it’s a true full-size van. The ID. Buzz is much shorter, even in its long-wheelbase version. Both are just over 78 inches wide, but the Staria is also a bit taller, which adds to its van-like feel.

Inside, the Staria EV features a flat floor, a high roof, and a lounge-style layout. You can get it as a 7-seater Luxury or a 9-seater Wagon, so it works for families or commercial use. The dashboard is dominated by two 12.3-inch screens, but there are still physical buttons for the basics. There’s plenty of storage, flexible seating, and huge windows, all of which help the Staria keep its title as one of the roomiest vans around.

Probably Not for America

Under the floor is an 84-kWh battery and a 215-horsepower motor driving the front wheels. Thanks to Hyundai’s 800-volt system, you can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes if conditions are right. Range is up to 250 miles on the more forgiving WLTP cycle. The Staria Electric can tow up to 4,400 pounds and has Vehicle-to-Load, so you can power gadgets or tools straight from the van.

Hyundai says the Staria Electric will go on sale in Korea and Europe in the first half of 2026, with more markets to follow. A US launch isn’t ruled out, but with Americans still leaning toward SUVs over minivans, it’s hard to say whether it will make it here.

Of note, the ID. Buzz, which VW reportedly stopped selling toward the end of last year, only sold just over 6,100 units in 2025, so saying there’s a demand for an electric minivan in America would be a stretch.

View the full article