2023 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review: Gazing at the competition
There’s no denying that the local MPV segment is currently on a battle royale. It’s packed with vehicles that aim to win the hearts of buyers who are looking for a seven-seater people hauler. From the Mitsubishi Xpander, Toyota Avanza, Suzuki Ertiga, and now, Nissan Livina, it’s clear to see that the competition is tight – really tight.
More than 11,000 brand-new Xpander units rolled off Mitsubishi Philippines’ dealerships in 2021. Toyota PH, on the other hand, sold over 4,000 Avanza units last year while Suzuki PH posted more than 3,000 Ertiga units.
Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has officially joined the MPV battle royale with the 2023 Stargazer. While it gazes at the competition, HMPH has a tall order for its seven-seater MPV since it is pinned to be its volume seller model. That said, can the Stargazer shine against its rivals? Read along and find out in Philkotse’s 2023 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review.
2022 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review: Exterior
The Hyundai Stargazer is a looker, especially when you compare it to its MPV rivals. It has a sleek fascia that veers away from the rugged-ish appeal seen on other MPVs in the Philippines. Think of the Xpander or the Avanza.
It has slim LED daytime running lights, a large gloss black grille, fog lamps, and LED headlights that are housed in a boomerang-shaped housing. Of note, the LED headlights are exclusive to the top-spec variant.
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The said design combo allows the Stargazer to have a unique look. Rather than aggressive, the Stargazer is going for a “chill vibe” demeanor. But despite that, one can argue that the front end creates the illusion that is squinting at its rivals – confidently and without any fuss.
It’s quite a different story when you view the Stargazer on the side. Hyundai gave the MPV a crisp finish as seen on the character lines. The Stargazer has prominent fenders, giving the vehicle a ripped look. It also has a stylish set of 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels, power-folding side mirrors, and chrome door handles.
In case you’re wondering, it has front disc brakes, and drum brakes on the rear. Pretty much the standard brake setup among the MPVs in the Philippines.
When the Stargazer was launched in Indonesia, I was not much of a fan of its rear design. Its LED taillight design was somewhat too loud for my liking. But my perception changed when I was able to see it in the metal.
It has the right amount of swag, and it further adds to the Stargazer’s distinctive appeal. The taillights, which are connected by a light bar, form the letter H when the vehicle is viewed fully from the rear. I also appreciate the use of a glossy black accent on the tailgate. I prefer it more than chrome, and it also allowed the Hyundai and Stargazer emblems to stand out.
2022 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review: Interior
The Stargazer comes with a black interior theme with accents of flat silver. It also has a straightforward layout and a clutter-free dashboard.
Straightforward dashboard layout with a lot of storage space
The simple cabin design works for the Stargazer since it doesn’t try too hard to impress you. It’s not pretentious yet the layout is well organized. One of the things I like is its steering wheel, which is accented by two L-shaped flat silver trims. Not too fancy but gives enough style points.
Another nifty feature of the Stargazer is the generous number of storage spaces, which is more than 30. One of which is the hidden tray between the middle and front passenger aircon vent. That flat silver accent can be opened by pushing it on the top left corner. The large space on the passenger side dashboard can also be useful since the Stargazer is aiming to be a people-hauler. More people means more stuff that needs to be stowed away.
It also has an open tunnel or pad beneath the aircon vents, giving you enormous storage space. That whole horizontal area above the climate control buttons and the glove compartment is ready to accommodate different handy items.
The only thing that I am on the fence with the Stargazer is the material that encloses the infotainment touchscreen, and the digital instrument cluster. I find it too bulky, and a bit out of place. But, it does get the job of breaking the open space on the top dashboard. And oh, the cup holders on the center console are also illuminated, which should be pretty useful at night.
Second-row passengers get enough legroom, and up to three adults can be accommodated. The second-row seats can also be folded at 60:40 configuration and have a slide function to give third-row occupants more legroom in case needed.
Speaking of which, the third row offers relatively decent space for up to two adults. Yes, the elbow room is quite a squeeze but the legroom, knee room, and seat height are best-in-class.
Open the tailgate, and you’ll see that it has enough space to stack four to five overnight bags when the third-row seats are up. And to my surprise, it has a luggage tray that’s hidden beneath the cargo floor. With that, you can stow away your driving shoes and whatnot, and a perfect spot to store wet aqua shoes and slippers in the case of beach trips.
2022 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review: Tech & Safety
This category is probably one of the main calling cards of the Stargazer. It is loaded with features that can sway potential car buyers who are in the market for a seven-seater MPV.
Placed right at the center of the dashboard is an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. MPVs equipped with a touchscreen are not something new, right? But, the Stargazer’s infotainment comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The wireless Apple CarPlay is complemented by a wireless phone charger. Although, the wireless charger is exclusive to the top-of-the-line variant. Regardless, it’s a significant one-two punch that could give the Stargazer an edge against its segment rivals.
It also has a digital instrument cluster that features crisp images. The cluster’s interface changes depending on the selected drive modes. Hyundai’s MPV comes with four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Smart. The top- and mid-spec variant come with cruise control.
Included in the Stargazer’s list of features is the rear camera with dynamic guidelines to further assist you when reversing. It has good image resolution and is by far better than some MPVs we have tested. Of note, the entry-level trim doesn’t come with the said feature.
Another thing that the Stargazer boasts is its list of safety features. The top-spec variant gets the most, and it comes with an advanced driver assistance safety (ADAS) suite. It includes the following: blind spot monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance, high beam assist, among others.
2023 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review: Driving
Under the hood lies the 1.5-liter gasoline engine that puts out 113 hp and 144 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), or as Hyundai calls it, the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
I was able to take the Stargazer for a quick drive during HMPH’s media preview. Philkotse’s video team was present during the said event. That said, we made it a point that all seven of us get onboard the Stargazer to see how it performs with seven people onboard.
The Stargazer showed that it has the capability to haul seven adults without a problem. It delivers adequate power although don’t expect to have a lively drive. It’s an MPV after all.
I also noticed that it has a light steering feel, which could be beneficial in minimizing driver fatigue. Despite that, it still gives enough road feedback. The suspension is also good, leaning more on the soft side.
The A-pillar on the driver's side creates a bit of a blind spot. But I do appreciate that the Stargazer has front-quarter glass, giving more visibility, especially on the passenger side. Expect more detailed driving impressions once we fully reviewed the 2023 Hyundai Stargazer.
2023 Hyundai Stargazer First Impressions Review: Initial Verdict
From the looks of it, the Hyundai Stargazer has the qualities to thrive in the tightly contested MPV segment. Its exterior design is a refreshing sight, and it could be an enticing option for individuals who prefers to stand out in the current sea of MPVs in the Philippines. The interior layout with a lot of storage space is another calling card that the Stargazer can maximize.
Hyundai Motor Philippines has started the pre-selling period for the Stargazer, and it comes with a starting price of Php 998,000 (GL variant). Pricing for the two other variants is to be released by November 9. With that, let's see if the stars will align for the 2023 Hyundai Stargazer but by the looks of it, we wouldn't be surprised if they will.