Here’s a line I suppose you’ve heard or read before (either from me or someone else): MPVs in the Philippines these days are a dime a dozen. Just check out one of our old Big Test episodes—there are plenty of options for that in these parts.
Among the offerings in that segment, there’s one that’s relatively new and arguably fresh: the Stargazer. Hyundai eventually decided to beef up that MPV and take it up a notch, and the result is the Stargazer X.
I was already the lucky one from our team that was able to take the Stargazer X out for a spin right after the launch, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on it again after. The difference this time? I got it for a full week, and I was really able to see how it holds up as a daily driver. In a sea of budget-friendly people-haulers, isthis Hyundai worth considering? Read on to learn more.
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Styling
The Stargazer X still looks very much like a ‘regular’ Stargazer, but it does have these tasteful tweaks that make it a bit more rugged than its non-X stablemate. Up front is the same wide grille with the almost-pizza-shaped headlights, but in the Stargazer X there are gloss-black plastics in place of the gray trim.
The grille on the Stargazer X also looks a bit more pronounced, with gray highlights on that make the horizontal slats pop. Of course, there’s also the beefier bumper underneath this one, with the mesh-like trim on the lower lip replaced with a boxier-looking lower grille.
The rear end also gets minimal changes. The unique taillights that stretch the width of the liftgate is still there—Hyundai merely added more plastic trim to that rear bumper to match the one on the front end. All around, the Stargazer X also gets black claddings underneath, something that the rest of the range doesn’t have.
Overall, this one looks pretty stylish. It’s easily one of the more well-designed MPVs in the segment—it’s not boring to look at at all.
Interior
I’ve always liked the inside of the Stargazer—it’s not premium per se, but it’s simple and functional. Here in the Stargazer X, it’s much more pleasing to the eyes thanks to the new black trim on the dash. It’s a small touch that does a lot for the quality of the cabin.
I also say functional because this car has just a ton of storage spaces. There’s a whole cubby just below the dashboard, perfect for storing everyday carries like wallets, phones, and keys. There’s space on the center console for those, too. In the second row, there’s also a small slot right behind said center console, perhaps for phone storage when using the USB-A charging ports. There’s also a table behind the front passenger seat and multiple pockets behind the driver’s seat. Third-row passengers also get a few pockets for storage.
In terms of space, there’s plenty to go around. For the average Filipino adult, sitting in any of the three rows will be no problem. Yes, even the sixth and seventh passengers will have a decent time, because the third row is not only easy to access but comfortable to be in as well.
Engine performance
Powering the Stargazer X is a familiar 1.5-liter four-cylinder, naturally aspirated gasoline engine that churns out 113hp and 144Nm of torque, a powertrain we’ve seen in other Hyundais before. This is mated to the brand’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) that, as I’ve discussed in a previous Creta review, enables better throttle response and linear power delivery.
This same engine combo you get in the Creta is still just right for the Stargazer X. It’s got enough oomph when you’re overtaking on the highway at speed and torquey enough to haul around five or seven people with some cargo. It also has just enough power to give you that spirited driving experience.
I got a solid 10km/L with the Stargazer in mixed conditions and with only a maximum of four people on board. On the highway, the figures went as far up as 20km/L, which makes this one pretty darn good for long drives.
Ride and handling
So I said ‘spirited drives’ are possible with the Stargazer X, right? That’s not just because of the engine—this MPV actually handles well, too. It won’t carve twisties, but for a supposed family-oriented people-hauler, you can still have a lot of fun behind the wheel.
Of course, it’s also an ideal daily driver in the city. It’s light to maneuver around tight spaces, its turning radius isn’t too big, it has auto hold for added convenience in the middle of traffic, and it’s got parking aids to boot, NVH levels in the cabin are kept to a minimum, and the ride is comfortable even on poorly paved roads. You’d still want to avoid potholes at all costs, though.
The Stargazer X also shines on long drives on the highway. The seats are nice, they provide good cushioning, and aren’t tiring at all to sit in for hours on end.
Extra features
One of the highlights of the Stargazer X is the large eight-inch infotainment system mounted front and center on the dash. The problem with this head unit, as with most Hyundais these days, is that it only has wireless smartphone connectivity. No wired Apple CarPlay here, folks, and just like before, it can be a bit wonky at times. I just wish Hyundai had the option for wired connections—it would make things a lot simpler.
This head unit produces sound through a 4+2 speaker setup that’s so-so. It works okay in a smaller vehicle, but in an MPV with a bigger cabin, it can feel a bit lacking especially for passengers at the back.
The infotainment is paired with a 10.25-inch instrument cluster that’s also shared across the Hyundai stable. If you’ve seen or driven other models, you’ll be familiar with the nice colored display that’s actually loaded with information and pretty easy to navigate.
The Stargazer X also comes loaded with safety and driver assistance tech, including lane-keep and lane-follow assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and forward and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist. Unfortunately it doesn’t get adaptive cruise control, but that doesn’t take away from any of these other helpful features that are always good additions in my book.
Verdict
The Hyundai Stargazer X may still benew to the game, but it’s already one of the strongest propositions in the segment right now. At P1.348 million, it’s more affordable than some of its subcompact MPVrivals while still being at par in performance and features.
When we did our MPV Big Testa while back, the Stargazer won by a huge margin. I have no doubts that if we had the Stargazer X and its pricier tag then, it would’ve still come out on top. Hyundai has a strong contender here, and it’s one that you should be considering if you’re in the market for a bang-for-the-buck seven-seater.
SPECS: 2024 Hyundai Stargazer 1.5 GLS X IVT
Price: P1,348,000
Engine: 1.5-liter gasoline I4
Power: 113hp @ 6,300rpm
Torque: 144Nm @ 4,500rpm
Transmission: continuously variable
Layout: Front-wheel-drive
Seating: 7
Score: 9/10
More photos of the Hyundai Stargazer X 2024:
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View other articles about:
- Hyundai
- MPV
- subcompact MPV
- Hyundai Motor Philippines
- Hyundai Stargazer
- Hyundai Stargazer X
