Since its debut last year, the Hyundai Staria has captured the attention of minivan fans due to its spaceship style. After passenger, commercial and school bus variants, Hyundai launched a Staria-based motorhome in South Korea, which could be a major competitor to the VW Transporter California and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo series.
It is an advanced model
The Staria Lounge Camper is based on the highest trim level of the Staria range and includes all the technological and luxurious features you’d expect from a high-end modern minivan. Visually, it sets it apart from its siblings thanks to the aerodynamically optimized electric liftable roof extension and side awning, which can transform it into a mobile camping spot. Despite the extra bits, the overall height is 2095 mm (82.5 inches), meaning it fits in most underground garages.
What characterizes it
The minivan is available in two variants with eleven seats (Camper 11) and four seats (Camper 4). In both cases, the rear seats fold down completely, creating a bed in which two adults can comfortably sleep, while there is an extra double mattress for two more people on the elevating roof.
Available colors
In terms of specifications, you can choose between pearly shades of creamy white and abyss black for the outside. Inside, the seats are upholstered in brown (black for the 11-seater version) combined with a luxurious black and white cabin with ambient LED lighting.
More of your inner qualities
While the eleven-seater is all beds, the four-seater has a rather eye-catching and important kitchen and storage module on the left side. There you will find a 36 lt (1.3 cubic feet) refrigerator, a sink for your dishes, a 70 lt (2.5 cubic feet) water tank, a 40 lt (1.4 cubic feet) waste tank, a detachable shower head, a folding table, and storage compartments for cutlery. All functions can be controlled by the 12.1-inch folding touchscreen, while the curtains on all windows will ensure you have enough privacy.
Ready to camp
On your way out, you’ll find the retractable awning with integrated LED, an outdoor table that slides from the back door, two folding chairs, a mosquito net for the back door, and an external power supply for your equipment.
The mechanics of the car
Under the hood, there’s the 2.2-liter CRDi turbodiesel that produces 174 horsepower (130 kW/177 PS) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, while optional all-wheel drive is offered for those who want to go a little further on their camping holiday.
The sale price
In South Korea, the price of the Hyundai Staria Lounge Camper starts at ? 49.47 million or what would be similar to about 40,050 US dollars for the 11-seater and in ? 68.58 million or about 55,520 US dollars for the four-seater. We don’t know if Hyundai plans to export the camper van to other markets, but we’d love to spend a weekend in the wild with it.
There is another luxurious model
In addition to the Lounge Camper, Hyundai also revealed the Lounge Limousine, a commercial van that comes with seven or nine seats, 205 mm (8.1 inches) of extra headroom due to the extended roof, and luxurious features like automatic electric side steps.
