2023 Hyundai Stargazer v Toyota Avanza v Suzuki Ertiga: Specs Comparison

With the entry of the 2023 Hyundai Stargazer into the Philippine market, one can say that the competition in the local seven-seater MPV market segment has gotten hotter.  

Hyundai Stargazer MPV Now in the Philippines! - Philkotse Quick Look

Mind you, that segment has been a battlefield for car brands for years now. The entry of the Stargazer might shake it up a little bit more though, since this model offers a lot in terms of onboard features, interior space, and safety. 

We’ve compared the Stargazer versus the Xpander before, but how does it stack up against the likes of the Toyota Avanza and the Suzuki Ertiga? To find out, we’ll be comparing the top-spec Stagazer GLS Premium against the Avanza G CVT, and the Ertiga GL AT. We chose these three since all are the top-spec variants of their respective models, hence, bringing the best each company can offer.

When it comes to size, the all-new Hyundai Stargazer is 4,460mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,695mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,780mm and a ground clearance of 185mm. 

The 2023 Hyundai Stargazer

The Toyota Avanza in turn is 4,395mm long, 1,730mm wide, and 1,700mm. It then has a ground clearance of 190mm, and a wheelbase length of 2,750mm. 

Meanwhile, the Suzuki Ertiga measures 4,395mm long, 1,735mm wide, and 1,690mm in height. Its wheelbase length spans 2,740mm, and it has a ground clearance of 180mm. 

Based on the figures listed above, the Stargazer is the longest and widest among the three. However, the Avanza is a bit taller, and the Ertiga sits as the middle ground in all degrees of measurement.  

By having the longest wheelbase, the Stargazer might have more space to work with when it comes to legroom. Being wider also means potentially more in the way of elbow room as well. The Avanza does get more ground clearance so it might be the best when it comes to dealing with rough roads and obstacles, such as those on EDSA.  

The 2022 Toyota Avanza

When exterior equipment is concerned, all three come with a pair of front fog lamps and LED taillights. Only the Avanza G and the Stargazer GLS Premium come with LED headlamps, whereas the Ertiga GL uses a more basic set of halogen headlamps.  

Standing out among the three is the top-spec Stargazer which is the only one that comes with automatic headlamp control and LED daytime running lamps. 

The 2021 Suzuki Ertiga

The Ertiga GL also lacks the power-folding side mirrors, a rear spoiler, and a fin-type antenna which are all present on both the Hyundai and the Toyota.  

For their wheels, the Stargazer GLS Premium and the Avanza G both use a set of 16-inch alloys. The Ertiga GL meanwhile gets a smaller set of 15-inch wheels.

Like we’ve said before, all three models are three-row, seven-seater models. All three also come standard with a 60:40 split folding second row and a 50:50 split folding third row. All three models also get a manual air-conditioning system with rear vents.  

Inside the Stargazer GLS Premium

The Hyundai Stargazer does come equipped with the fanciest seat covers which comes in the form of leatherette. The Avanza and the Ertiga seats meanwhile, both use fabric.  

Provided for the driver of the top-spec Stargazer and Avanza but not present on the Ertiga is a push-to-start button and a tilt and telescopic steering column. Only the Hyundai model comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the Avanza and Ertiga’s steering wheels are wrapped in urethane.  

The top-spec Stargazer GLS Premium is also the only model that gets a digital gauge cluster. as opposed to an analog cluster on the other two MPVs.  

The Toyota Avanza G's cockpit

For onboard entertainment, the Stargazer GLS Premium gets an eight-inch head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is linked to a six-piece speaker system. 

The Avanza G also gets an eight-inch screen, but it gets the wired version of Apple CarPlay. It also gets a total of four speakers, and it also has Android Auto. 

Likewise, the Ertiga gets an eight-inch touchscreen, but only gets USB and Bluetooth connectivity, apart from a four-piece speaker set. 

The Ertiga GL's interior

Out of the three, the Hyundai model gets the best head unit. It isn’t any larger than the other two, but it has more in the way of connectivity options. It also gets more speakers.  

To top it all off, the Stargazer is also the only model among the three that gets wireless smartphone charging.  

Concerning safety equipment, the Stargazer GLS Premium, Avanza G, and the Ertiga GL all get anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, SRS dual front airbags, an engine immobilizer, and a car alarm. 

However, both the Hyundai and the Toyota add more to those features with side and curtain airbags, stability control, and hill-start assist. Both the Stargazer and Avanza also come with their own versions of blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic assistance systems.  

Among the three MPVs, only the Stargazer GLS Premium gets a digital gauge cluster

The model with the most safety features, however, is the Stargazer GLS Premium. Out of the three, it is the only one that gets lane keep assist, driver attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, tire pressure monitoring, manual speed limit assist, lane following assist, and a rear seat alert, among others.  

The Stargazer and the Avanza also get a reverse camera, as well as rear parking sensors. The Ertiga lacks the former and only has the latter. Only the Hyundai model gets cruise control.  

These three different MPVs also come with three different powertrains. The Hyundai Stargazer uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline Smartstream mill that can make up to 113 horsepower and 144 Nm of torque. It is then paired with Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission.

The Stargazer's 1.5-liter inline-4 Smartstream engine 

On the Toyota Avanza meanwhile is a 1.5-liter inline-4 2NR-VE gasoline engine that’s capable of producing 105 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. It uses a continuously variable transmission.  

Last is the Ertiga, which is powered by the 1.5-liter K15B inline-4 gasoline engine. It can churn out 103 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. Unlike the other two models, the Ertiga uses a four-speed automatic torque converter-type gearbox.  

All three trims are also front-wheel-drive. But as per the output figures above, the Stargazer is the most powerful model. It is then followed by the Avanza and then by the Ertiga.  

Avanza's 1.5-liter inline-4 2NR-VE

For braking, all use front discs and rear drums. They also have similar suspension systems, specifically a MacPherson strut-type for the front, and a torsion beam-type for the rear. All three also use a hand-operated parking brake.  

As a side note, only the Hyundai Stargazer comes exclusively with an automatic gearbox. The Toyota Avanza and Suzuki Ertiga both come with manual transmission variants.  

The Ertiga's 1.5-liter K15B engine

The Toyota model’s top-spec trim is also the sole variant that gets a 1.5-liter mill. Others get a smaller 1.3-liter mill. The Suzuki Ertiga and Hyundai Stargazer, meanwhile, get the same powertrain for all their locally available trims.  

Pricing for the 2023 Hyundai Stargazer starts at Php 998,000 for the entry-level GL trim. Full pricing for the other two Stargazer trims will be coming out on November 9, 2022. But if we had to speculate right now, the top-spec GLS Premium will be around Php 1.2 million.

Here are the prices for the Toyota Avanza and the Suzuki Ertiga: 

If we took into consideration our estimated pricing of Php 1.2 million for the Hyundai Stargazer GLS Premium, one can say that it is significantly pricier compared to the other two model’s top-spec trims. On paper however, it also provides the most when it comes to entertainment features, as well as safety features. Overall, the new Stargazer is also the most powerful among the three in terms of engine output.  

Stargazer's rear end

Meanwhile, the Ertiga GL is the most affordable but also the most spartan in terms of equipment. The Toyota Avanza G in turn sits in the middle of the two in all categories.  

Avanza from the rear

So spec-wise, the new Stargazer MPV can beat both its rivals out. The question now is whether folks are willing to fork out the additional dough for a better-equipped, seven-seater MPV when more affordable options are present.  

The Ertiga from the rear

For better insights on each model though, do give each of them a good ol’ test drive. And for more car comparisons like this, keep it here on Philkotse.