Hyundai has officially brought in the Stargazer for the Philippine market. It is the car brand’s entry into the ever-competitive seven-seater MPV segment, and so it becomes another viable choice for those looking for a family-friendly ride, or a comfortable people carrier.
The all-new 2023 Hyundai Stargazer (GLS Premium pictured)
The Stargazer in the Philippines had a total of three different variants during its launch back in October 2022. There’s the GLS Premium 1.5 IVT, the GLS 1.5 IVT, and the GL 1.5 IVT. Later in 2023, the brand brought in the GLS Premium six-seater and the more aggressive-looking Stargazer X as the model's top-spec variant. So which of these five trims is the right one for you? Let’s find out by comparing their specs.
Hyundai Stargazer Variants: Exterior
When it comes to dimensions, the GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, GLS, and GL trims of the Stargazer are 4,460mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,695mm in height. All of those trims also come with a 2,780mm long wheelbase. The top-spec Stargazer X on the other hand, is slightly larger with its 4,495mm length 1,815mm width, and 1,710mm height. It does, however, have the same wheelbase length as the others.
On top of being bigger than the other trims, the Stargazer X likewise boasts a ground clearance of 200mm which makes it better at dealing with rough roads and other obstacles. Compare that to the other Stargazer trims, which get 185mm of ground clearance.
Concerning the exterior equipment, only the top-spec GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, and Stargazer X come with LED headlamps. The other two meanwhile, get halogen headlamps.
The Stargazer's rear end (GLS Premium pictured)
Foglamps, automatic light control, and daytime running lamps are not available on the entry-level GL trim. The said features are only present on the mid-spec GLS, the GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, and Stargazer X. The GL also gets bulb-type taillights, whereas the others feature LED taillights.
Also standard on all variants except the GL are power-folding side mirrors, a chrome finish for the grille and exterior door handles, and a shark-fin antenna. The entry-level GL meanwhile, gets body-color door handles and grille, manual-folding side mirrors, and a conventional antenna.
Check out the Stargazer's front end
Common features found on all Stargazer variants are a high-mount stop lamp, front and rear wipers, and a rear spoiler.
Completing the look of the GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, and GLS is a set of 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels. The GL in turn, rides on a set of 16-inch monotone wheels.
The 2024 Hyundai Stargazer X
The Stargazer X meanwhile, gets the most visual pizzaz thanks to its set of two-tone 17-inch wheels, a more prominent lower front bumper, a 3D grille, as well as black plastic claddings on its wheel arches and side skirts.
Hyundai Stargazer Variants: Interior
The GLS Premium, Stargazer X, GLS, and GL variants of the 2023 Hyundai Stargazer can seat up to seven occupants. All of the aforementioned are equipped with three rows, with a 60:40 split-folding second row, and a 50:50 split-folding third row. The odd one out is the six-seater version of the GLS Premium which gets captain seats for its second row while retaining a 50:50 split-folding third row.
The seats are clad in fabric on the entry-level GL, while higher-spec variants are covered in leatherette. Moreover, only the GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, Stargazer X, and GLS offer a center armrest, seat back pockets, and a console box.
All variants except the GLS Premium six-seater are three-row, seven-seater models (GLS Premium pictured)
The top-spec and mid-spec trims also come with more features for the driver. The entry-level GL for instance, lacks the push-to-start button, smart key functionality, and cruise control features that are available to the other variants. Moreover, the GL only gets an analog gauge cluster, while the rest have digital gauge clusters.
All trims do come with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, though only the GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, Stargazer X , and GLS’s steering wheels are wrapped in leather. Meanwhile, the one on the GL is clad in PVC.
The Stargazer's cockpit (GLS Premium pictured)
Providing on-board entertainment for all Stargazer variants except the entry-level GL is an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is then linked to a six-piece speaker set.
The entry-level GL in turn, gets a standard radio with a mono-LCD display. It also gets fewer speakers numbering four.
A peek inside the Stargazer X
Only the top-spec GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, and Stargazer X come with a wireless smartphone charging pad. All three trims do come with one USB charging port for the front cabin, and two for the rear.
Exclusive to the Stargazer X are gloss black finishes found on its dashboard, screen surrounds, and AC control surrounds. The other trims meanwhile, get a silver finish for the aforementioned parts.
Hyundai Stargazer Variants: Engine & Performance
Powering all Stargazer variants is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. On all variants, the said engine can produce a maximum of 113 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque.
The Stargazer's 1.5-liter Smartstream inline-4 gasoline engine
The said engine sends power to the Stagazer’s front wheels. All five variants also use Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
All Stargazer variants also use the same MacPherson strut front suspension, and a torsion beam for the rear. Braking for all trims is then handled by disc brakes for the front wheels, rear drum brakes, and a hand-operated parking brake.
Hyundai Stargazer Variants: Safety
Handling safety for all five Stargazer variants are dual front airbags, anti-lock braking, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Absent on the entry-level GL but present on all the others are stability control, traction control, a manual speed limit assist, a rearview parking monitor, and a rear seat alert.
Further providing safety on the GLS Premium, GLS six-seater, and Stargazer X are a number of driver assist features. These include a high-beam assist feature, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear-cross traffic collision avoidance assist, lane keep and lane following assist, driver attention warning, and forward collision avoidance assist, among others. They are also the only variants that get side airbags, curtain airbags, and tire pressure monitoring.
Hyundai Stargazer Variants: Price
| Hyundai Stargazer Variants | Price |
| Stargazer GL 1.5 IVT | Php 1,068,000 |
| Stargazer GLS 1.5 IVT | Php 1,198,000 |
| Stargazer GLS Premium 7-seater | Php 1,288,000 |
| Stargazer GLS Premium 6-seater | Php 1,298,000 |
| Stargazer X 1.5 IVT | Php 1,348,000 |
Hyundai Stargazer Variants: Conclusion
Where power is concerned, all five variants are identical as they all use the same engine with the same tune and the same transmission. Concerning space though, the Stargazer GLS Premium six-seater might be more to your liking if what you're after is optimal legroom and a more executive feel. The rest meanwhile, are what you'd get if what you're after is something that can fit the most people possible.
Then again, only the GLS Premium, GLS Premium six-seater, and the Stargazer X offer the most when it comes to safety. In this case, this makes these the variants of choice if that is your primary concern.
The top-spec GLS Premium might be for you if you prioritize safety
The mid-spec GLS in turn sits on the middle ground as it largely has the same amount of convenience features as the GLS Premium, though lacking the extensive driver assist features.
For those who just want a basic but roomy seven-seater ride, then the GL might be more to your speed. Plus, it is also the most affordable of the bunch.
Last but not least, those who want a more stand-out-looking ride could lean more towards the more SUV-like Stargazer X. Plus, it has the most ground clearance out of all the Stargazer trims so it might be better at taking on rough uncemented roads and other uneven terrain.
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