RUNOUT OUTLANDER LS 2.4L 2WD $33,990+ORC * The 7 seater Mitsubishi Outlander brings everything you would need in a family SUV: safety, technology, comfort, unrivaled economy and that all important space, plus a 10 Year Powertrain Warranty † . Call 03 379 0588 or visit christchurchmitsubishi.co.nz RRP WAS $41,990 +ORC *Price listed is for Outlander LS 2.4L 2wd and excludes on road costs which includes registration, WoF and a full tank <strong>of</strong> fuel. Available while stocks last. † Visit mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond Advantage warranty conditions. CHRISTCHURCH MITSUBISHI 386 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch Ph 03 379 0588 | christchurchmitsubishi.co.nz NAVARA SL-450 4WD Limited Edition. $54,990 +ORC* In stock and available for immediate delivery • Black 20” Alloy Wheels • Exterior Highlights inc Flares • Class Leading Fuel Economy • Apple Carplay® & Android Auto • 5 Star Safety Rating • 6 Speed Manual *Available while stocks last. Automatic available for $57,990. Price excludes On Road Costs. CHRISTCHURCH NISSAN, 380 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch Ph: 03 595 6820 www.christchurchnissan.co.nz christchurchnissan.co.nz Page 26
NEW CAR REVIEW By Ross Kiddie Hyundai Staria Limited ith the ever-growing expansion <strong>of</strong> the sport utility vehicle market, you Wmay be forgiven for thinking the traditional people mover has vanished. Well, you have only got to look at the number <strong>of</strong> them on New Zealand roads, there are Toyota Previas, Honda Odysseys and Kia Carnivals everywhere, they are used for taxis, shuttles and mobile homes/ campervans, to name just a few <strong>of</strong> the applications I’ve seen. Sure, there haven’t been many entries into that market over the years, but those companies that have <strong>of</strong>fered seven and eightseater models have been well rewarded. Of course, you have to take into account there are many van-based transporters such as Ford Transits, Toyota Hiaces and Hyundai iLoads. Hyundai has taken that van concept and broadened it dramatically. The Staria has arrived and it is space age, not only in space inside but it is also a futuristic people mover that has also arrived in five-seater/van form and as a van only. I’m due to evaluate the latter later, but this evaluations focuses on the eight-seater, and I can report that it is far more peoplecentric that some <strong>of</strong> the van-based models that have long been plying our roads. For one, the Staria is plush, its monocoque chassis is state <strong>of</strong> the art, there’s no ladder platform here, there are no live axles and the fully independent suspension system locates four-wheeldrive componentry. Well, <strong>of</strong> course not all models have 4WD, but the range-topping Limited does and it represents comfortable, safe travel – all variants <strong>of</strong> the Staria have a five star Australasian New Car Assessment Program rating. All variants also get a 2.2-litre diesel engine. This is significant because it is an engine that also powers several other Hyundai models and, as I’ve alluded to in the past, it is an absolute gem in terms <strong>of</strong> refinement. If you didn’t know there was a diesel under the bonnet you’d be hard pressed to pick up its harmonics. Not only is it superbly sophisticated, the turbocharged twin-camshaft four-potter pumps out a healthy 130kW (3800rpm) with a stunning 430Nm <strong>of</strong> torque available all <strong>of</strong> the way from 1500rpm to 2500rpm. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic gearbox the Staria’s driveline is the epitome <strong>of</strong> advanced technology, it is powerful, smooth and silent. As mentioned, in people mover form drive is channelled through Hyundai’s H-Trac system. That means even though the engine is sitting east-west (transversely) under the bonnet, drive is passed through a transfer system to the rear. It’s a clever system and all together serves to prove the ability and ingenuity <strong>of</strong> the Hyundai engineers, the Staria is a quality vehicle through and through. In terms <strong>of</strong> performance, unladen the Staria will reach 100km/h from a standstill in 9.2sec and will make an 80- 120km/h highway overtake in 5.9sec. More importantly, in this day and age <strong>of</strong> out-<strong>of</strong>control fuel price hikes the Staria will return an 8.2-litre per 100km combined cycle figure, that complemented by a 9.4l/100km figure showing on the dash panel readout when I took the evaluation car back to the dealership. At 100km/h, the display is reading around an impressive 5l/100km. On the subject <strong>of</strong> dash displays, the Staria has a completely digital layout, there are traditional rev counter and speedometer displays, which change to camera views when the indicator stalk is activated. This is a function Hyundai has incorporated into many <strong>of</strong> its vehicles in recent times, it’s a good safety device and it’s also rather clever in the way it operates. Elsewhere, the dash panel is vast, there’s a huge central display that controls many <strong>of</strong> the vehicle’s functions and it’s intuitive, the icons are large and easy to stab. The Staria people mover isn’t cheap, it comes in at $85,900 ($69,990 front-drive only) which is quite a bit more pricey than that <strong>of</strong> its partner company Kia’s Carnival at $59,990; and if you take into account the new Odyssey from $50k, there is a quite a bit more up front you have to lay down. However, you do get a lot <strong>of</strong> car for the money and you get a vehicle that is very adaptable. Some <strong>of</strong> the Staria’s biggest features Price: Hyundai Staria Limited, $85,990 Dimensions: Length, 5253mm; width, 1997mm; height, 1990mm Configuration: 130kW, 430Nm, eight-speed automatic Performance: 0-100km/h, 9.2sec Fuel Usage: 8.2/100km are things such as twin electric side sliding doors, electric rear door with timer, electric sunro<strong>of</strong>s, keyless entry and ignition, satellite navigation, full leather trim, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, paddle-shifters and something I really like, and those hard <strong>of</strong> hearing will relate to, is the microphone and speaker system that allows those front and rear to converse. Another thing that does stand out is the Staria’s size, it’s over 5.2m long and is high at almost 2m. The latter means it’s a bit <strong>of</strong> a step up for the driver and front seat passenger. It’s easier to access the rear seats but if you are climbing in and out each day that could trouble those who have a developing hip problem, like we all seem to get through old age. A grab handle on the driver’s side would help, but the Staria doesn’t get that. Nevertheless, the Staria is still a very user-friendly car and nothing will change that, it is built to satisfy the needs <strong>of</strong> those who transport people on a daily basis, it will do that for years on end and provide a nice driving experience at the same time. It is far more car-like to drive than van-like, and with the high driving position vision through all quarters is outstanding. It also handles well for its bulk, sure there’s over two-tonne to get through a corner, but it steers lightly and feels very manoeuvrable through a turning circle <strong>of</strong> just under 12m. I can see the very stylish Staria appealing to those in the shuttle industry when airline travel returns to full steam. Its driveline is well proven and I strongly suspect its four-wheeldrive system would also be useful taking a load <strong>of</strong> skiers up the Mt Hutt access road. I’m actually looking forward to driving the van equivalent soon, I’m not expecting quite the same luxury inside, but I do know the driveline will deliver the same refinement, and I have some tasks lined up for it, the kind <strong>of</strong> everyday jobs that can be completed when you have a spacious cargo area on <strong>of</strong>fer. Page 27