2026 Hyundai Staria Facelift Revealed In South Korea

Hyundai have refreshed its Staria large MPV offering for the 2026 model year with a mild nip-tuck and minor chassis tweaks.

First revealed in 2021, the Hyundai Staria succeeded its Starex predecessor in arguably greater style – there’s arguably no other contemporary rival in segment with styling this ‘futuristic’. Now, the large-sized MPV has finally been given a refresh for its 2026 model year guise.

Revealed this week in Hyundai’s home market of South Korea, the 2026 Hyundai Staria has gained a mild aesthetic nip-tuck inside and out, and there are several minor enhancements endowed to its chassis too.

One key visual tweak lies in the front fascia that bears a new single-strip LED DRL, restyled front grille (Lounge)  and revised front bumper with new intakes.

Starting with the exterior, the front fascia has been revised lightly with a new single-strip full-width LED DRL lightbar with engraved Staria model emblems on the sides. This now integrates better with the low-mounted headlights brimmed in the updated front bumper.

Higher-end variants also gain a lightly reworked grille design featuring chrome accents, and these are now clearly separated from the bumper’s lower intake section. Other exterior changes to note include a newly added pearl blue and maroon paint options.

On board, the digital displays are now larger and come powered using Hyundai's latest software. The automaker also added more interior colour choices.

On board, the basic cabin layout is retained, but some key elements have been enhanced like the dual digital displays – they’ve been enlarged to 10.25 and 12.3-inch and now run off Hyundai’s latest software with over-the-air (OTA) update support and capability.

A welcoming change here is the revamped dash as it brings more physical controls replacing the touch-sensitive buttons brimmed in the current version. Look closely and you’ll also find both new air-cond vent designs plus a newly added storage tray.

Seating configuration choices remains wide as before, ranging from commercial-focused two-seaters up to a maximum of 11-seats across four rows.

Other notable changes on board include the updated steering wheel design, a new column for the electronic shift control brimmed in the Lounge variant, an added grab handle for drivers, as well as newly added interior colourway choices.

Otherwise, the Staria continues to see a wide range of seating configuration options available – from commercial-focused two-seaters right up to a maximum of 11-seats spreading across four rows.

For South Korea, the Staria retains its existing electrified and LPG-ready 3.5-litre V6 choice plus a familiar 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid option.

Over on to powertrain and, for the South Korean market at least, Hyundai elected to retain its electrified 3.5-litre V6 mill that’s both rated at 240 PS and capable of running on LPG. Available for this market too is a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid mill boasting 245 PS.

Critically, Hyundai have added minor chassis improvements through revised suspension settings plus improved subframe bushings and enhanced noise insulation. The higher-end Lounge variant even gains hydro bushing to enhance its ride further.

Enhanced noise insulation plus improved suspension setup with enhanced subframe bushings are standard across the board, but only the Lounge variant gains hydro bushings pictured.

Lastly, much of the ADAS features brimmed in the pre-facelift Staria has been retained, but Hyundai notes it has added more features and functions – detailed list for which remains undisclosed for now.

Typical of the Korean slanted H-marque, expect deliveries of this face-lifted 2026MY version of the Staria to begin in its South Korean home market soon enough. As for availability overseas, this may take some time.

No word yet when this face-lifted 2026MY version will be available overseas. Closer to home, we'll remind you that the Staria is also a CKD offering from HMY.

We’ll remind you that the Staria is one of just three core models offered officially by Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY). Critically, it’s also locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah.

With that in mind, we reckon this face-lifted 2026MY version of the Staria should enter our market sometime in the second half (H2) of 2026 at the earliest.