Hyundai Starex

The Hyundai Starex (현대 스타렉스) is a series of light commercial vehicles built by Hyundai. First-generation models were known in Europe as the Hyundai H-1, and in the Netherlands as the Hyundai H200. The cargo variant of the second-generation models was marketed as the Hyundai iLoad in Australia and the United Kingdom. The second-generation passenger variant was marketed as the Hyundai iMax in Australia and as the Hyundai i800 in the United Kingdom. In Europe, the cargo variant was marketed as the Hyundai H-1 Cargo, while the passenger variant was marketed as the Hyundai H-1 Travel. In the Netherlands, it is called the Hyundai H300. In Malaysia, the passenger variant of the H300 is only sold as a fleet vehicle, and the cargo variant is marketed as the Hyundai Starex Royale in a Minivan configuration.

First generation (A1; 1997)
The Starex succeeded the Hyundai Grace (also known as the H100) in most countries. Like the Hyundai Grace, the first generation A1-series Starex was available in a wide range of configurations, including minivan (MPV), minibus, van, pick-up, taxi and ambulance. For the very first 1997 models, it used the derived 2.5-liter 4D56 SOHC 8-valve non-turbo diesel engine with 55 kW and 142 Nm at 2500 rpm. These first-generation models were initially restricted for sale to the domestic South Korean market but were eventually exported to a number of countries in Southeast Asia and some parts of Europe.

For the 1998 model year, a gasoline engine was offered, a Mitsubishi derived 4G64 108 kW at 5250 rpm with 218 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The diesel engine now comes with a slightly more powerful Mitsubishi derived 4D56 non-inter-cooled turbo diesel engine with 62 kW at 201 Nm at 2000 rpm. Available in two trim levels, SVX and Club, and a number of body styles (commercial panel van, and pick up (Libero)). A long-wheelbase (12-seater) "Jumbo" and short-wheelbase (seven- and nine-seater) "RV" was also available. First introduced to this model are luxurious features like side lower body cladding with two-tone paint scheme (SVX, Club), optional dual sunroof (Club), side body "Tetris style" decals (Club), chrome slant grills, rear tailgate handle opener cover (Club), cream moquette upholstery (Club), optional high-tech head unit with television screen and six-disc CD changer (Club) for domestic models, power windows and antenna (SVX, Club) an Aisin Seiki Co. sourced four-speed automatic transmission with electronically controlled transmission (ECT) and overdrive switch and differently styled "star" 15-inch alloy wheels with exposed lug nuts (Club). For safety, it also features limited-slip differential (LSD), anti-lock braking system (ABS) and driver side airbag. This model was exported to a number of countries and proved a big hit to some car markets like the Philippines where at that time was imported via gray market. It gained instant popularity for comfortable sedan-like drive, availability of automatic transmission, expansive interior space, and thickly bolstered seats. Its main advantage was being priced lower than its twin, the Mitsubishi Space Gear, yet it packed more features and factory accessories like front bull bars, a top basket loader, and a rear ladder. For the following year in the Philippines, the gasoline engine version was dropped due to unusually high gasoline consumption but still made available for other markets.

For the 1999 model year, it gained the more powerful 2.5 SOHC 8-valve turbo-diesel inter-cooled engine that has an output of 63 kW at 4000 rpm and 170 Nm of torque, most notable feature is the addition of a hood scoop for the intercooler feed, different upholstery color scheme, blacked-out B-pillars (Club) and a top dashboard center binnacle with temperature, altimeter and a compass for 4x2 and 4x4 Club variant.

First facelift
The 2000 to 2002 model version, also known as the "millennium" model, retains the previous engine specs while it made available for its domestic market, a Mitsubishi derived 2,972 cc 6G72 V6 gas engine with 145 kW at 5000 rpm and 278 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. This model features updated exterior and interior trims for the SVX and Club models, with features such as multi-reflectorized clear headlamps and jewel-like treatment for the tail-lights, differently styled front bumper over-riders, front door "SVX" decals, black and gray interior color scheme with more durable upholstery material, and differently styled alloy wheels for the SVX and Club models.

For the 2003 to 2004 model, a more powerful power plant was made available, a new 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve common rail direct injection turbo-diesel engine that had an output of 104 kW and 360 Nm of torque. It retains the previous model's interior and exterior styling features and received a new digital climate control for the higher Club model.

Second facelift
The 2005 to 2007 offered much more with a new front fascia, with features such as squared "bug" eye headlights, an extended bumper to accommodate the oversized square radiator grills with three vertical chrome bars, and squared fog lamps. Also new were differently finished rear tail-lights and bumpers, integrated radio antenna, digital odometer and trip meter and (depending on the market) an updated multimedia head unit with flip-down ceiling-mounted screen. The engine was a Sirius 2.4-litre DOHC 16-valve MPi engine that had an output of 107 kW at 192 Nm of torque, carry-over 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve common rail direct injection turbo-diesel engine that had an output of 104 kW at 360 Nm of torque and a 2.5-liter SOHC eight-valve turbo-diesel with intercooler engine that has an output of 63 kW at 4000 rpm and 170 Nm of torque but now with ETC. The interior features upgraded upholstery, a number of cup holders located at the back seats, and an easy-to-wipe and clean rubberized floor matting. Top-of-the-line (Gold) models features a leather interior an overhead console and immobilizer. Aluminum accents, split, folding seats, all power features, digital climate control, keyless entry, and DVD player with six speakers are standard.

Hyundai Libero
Between 2000 and 2007, Hyundai manufactured a pickup version of the A1-series Starex. Known as the Hyundai Libero in the South Korean home market, it was meant to replace the Hyundai Porter in the lineup. They were equipped with a 2.5-liter diesel engine (in normally aspirated and turbocharged forms) or 3.0-liter Sigma gasoline V6, and came in a multiple body styles, including pickup and flatbed. It was sold in the Netherlands as Hyundai H200/H300 Pickup; in most European countries it was marketed as the Hyundai H-1 SR.

JAC Refine
The Starex is also produced in China under the name JAC Refine by Anhui Jianghuai Automobile from March 2002 to 2015 under the Hyundai licence. It is very successful, with a market share of about 20 percent. From 2003 to 2008, it has consecutively won "Year's MPV" and "The Best Official Car" from 2004 to 2008. In 2007, it was granted "The Best MPV" and "The Best MPV for Government". The Refine is available with a 2.0-litre turbo or 2.4-litre petrol engine and a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. 1.8-litre petrol and turbocharged diesel variants along with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel arrived in 2012, 2013 and 2015 respectively as well as a six-speed manual gearbox for 1.8- and 1.9-litre diesel.

Second generation (TQ; 2007)
In 2012, Hyundai updated their diesel engines slightly for the UK and Australian models. Chief among the changes is the addition of a new six-speed manual gearbox in place of the old five-speed unit, improving official fuel economy by 0.5 litres per 100 km to 8.0L/100 km.

This comes at a cost, however, with Hyundai ditching the variable geometry turbocharger from the engine in favour of a less-potent waste gate set-up, resulting in substantially lower power and torque outputs than before.

The new engine/manual gearbox combination will produce official figures of 100 kW and 343Nm, down from 125 kW/392Nm, although the new model hits its peak torque earlier, arriving from a low 1500 rpm.

Five-speed automatic versions of the iLoad diesel get a substantial hike in torque output, with the engine retaining the variable geometry turbocharger but now producing figures of 125 kW and 441Nm (up from 125 kW/392Nm).

The trade-off is a narrower peak torque-band, with the maximum available between a narrow 2000 and 2250 rpm (previously 2000 and 2500 rpm).

Despite the beefy boost, claimed combined fuel consumption has dropped at an even larger rate than the manual, now returning 8.8L/100 km (previously 9.5L/100 km).

Regions
In the UK, the passenger model is sold as the i800 and is available in two variants, the SE and SE Nav, both available with either manual or automatic transmissions both with the 2.5l CRDi diesel engine. The panel van is marketed as the iLoad. In Malaysia, the second generation Hyundai Starex was launched in May 2008 with 11 seats. In August 2009, the Starex was updated and now known as the Hyundai Grand Starex Royale. Updates included a new grille, body-coloured wing mirrors opposed to black, addition of a rear windscreen wiper and a new in-car-entertainment roof-mounted system. In July 2011, the Starex was updated yet again. The changes this time included a revised chrome grille, the addition of LED daytime running lights, side skirting, revised front and back bumpers and a new rear spoiler with built-in stop light. The second row of seats gained swivel functionality, the instrument cluster was revised and electronic stability programme or ESP and a GPS navigation system became standard equipment. This July 2011 update was available with in a sole GLS variant with an optional premium package being available. In March 2014, the Starex in Malaysia received yet another grille update and was now available with two variants: Base and Deluxe. For 2017, the Starex received yet another revised front end which included a revised front grille and front bumper. The update also brought along revised side cladding, gloss back panelling on the rear taillights and revised rear bumper with exhaust cut outs. During the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow or KLIMS, the Starex was facelifted. But the facelift consisted only of only a new front end design and was now available with a sole Executive variant. The second generation Hyundai Starex was first launch in Malaysia in May 2008 and subsequently received 5 updates in August 2009, July 2011, March 2014, December 2016 and in November 2018 respectively.

In the Philippines, the Starex is called the Hyundai Grand Starex and was launched in December 2007 and was offered in 3 grades, GL (ten-seater and twelve-seater, both have manual transmissions), GLS (ten-seater, with a five-speed automatic transmission) as well as the top-of-the-line Gold (10-seater). In 2014, Hyundai Philippines released the Grand Starex Platinum as the top grade. It has seen widely varying uses in the country not just as a commuter van; from UV Express, delivery vans, ambulances and even as a funeral hearse.

In Indonesia, the second generation Hyundai Starex is available as the Hyundai H-1, and was introduced in 2008, with three options: GLS, Elegance, and XG. At first, only petrol engines were available for H-1. The diesel engines came in February 2010, when Hyundai decided to produce H-1 in Indonesia for ASEAN market.

In Thailand, the second generation Hyundai Starex is marketed as the Hyundai H-1. It comes in three variants, the Touring, Executive and Deluxe. All come with 12 seats. The Executive and Deluxe were badged as "Maestro" until a minor change in 2011. The facelift H-1 was launched in Thailand in August 2018. On 8 November 2021, the H-1 Elite NS was released and limited to 300 units. On 26 September 2023, the H-1 Elite Final Edition was released and limited productions before H-1 discontinued. The H-1 discontinued in Thailand in December 2023, because use a Euro 4 diesel engine, which is against the requirements in Thailand, but begin use for other new models with a Euro 5 diesel engine from January 2024.

The Grand Starex "VIP" variant is based on H-1. Features include seven seats with second-row "Double VIP" seats that can electrically control seat inclination and leg support and 19-inch TV and DVD player. They are available in late 2010. In late 2012, the Grand Starex "Premium" became available with sliding "Double Super VIP" seats on the second row and a DVD player with a smaller 10.2-inch screen.

Second facelift
Hyundai gave a second facelift to the Grand Starex in South Korea, having new Urban and Limousine models. It has the cascading grille design but has differences on interior design. The standard version uses the same cockpit as the old model while the Urban version has the floating touch display and four-spoke steering wheel like most Hyundai vehicles. Special vehicle options (ambulance, school service, camping) are also revised for the vehicle. For right-hand drive models, only the exterior is updated. The Hyundai Grand Starex was discontinued in South Korea on 18 March 2021, succeeded by the Hyundai Staria.

Awards and accolades

 * Best Large MPV - CIMB Autoworld Car of the Year Awards 2010