Hyundai Staria Electric Unveiled with 400km Range: A New Blueprint for Family Vans
There has been plenty of buzz about electric family movers lately, but the results have often been lackluster “work-van” conversions. That changed in Brussels this week. The unveiling of the 400km-range Hyundai Staria Electric signals a turning point for the segment. Hyundai isn’t just showing up to the party; with this launch, they are making a play to own the executive and family shuttle market outright.
The Hyundai Staria Electric debuts with a bold “Inside-Out” design, 800V fast charging, and a targeted 400km WLTP range.
The Staria has always stood out for its bold, futuristic curves, yet the mechanical noise of a combustion engine never quite fit the image. With the launch of the electric version, that contradiction is gone. The silent, smooth performance of an EV is the natural partner for such a visionary exterior. This transition ensures that the Staria isn’t just a modern-looking shell, but a truly modern transport solution for a new era of mobility.
The Heart of the Machine: 84kWh and 800 Volts
To understand the 400km range, you have to look at the math. Hyundai fitted an 84 kWh battery under the floor, which is a substantial piece of hardware. While some might scoff at 248 miles compared to a sleek sedan, you’re basically moving a small room through the air. For a vehicle with this kind of mass and a nine-passenger capacity, 400km is actually a pretty impressive feat of engineering.
Most electric vans have a “bottleneck” at the charging port because their 400V systems just can’t take in power any faster without getting dangerously hot. You can plug this thing into a 350 kW fast charger and go from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. For a professional driver doing airport runs, that’s the difference between a profitable day and one spent sitting in a parking lot waiting for a “slow” charger to finish.
The all-electric Hyundai Staria debuts at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, featuring 800-volt ultra-fast charging and an estimated 400km range.
Hyundai Staria Electric Unveiled with 400km Range: Interior Versatility
Step inside, and you realize where that electric platform pays dividends. With no drive shaft taking up space, the Staria EV features a perfectly level floor. This “Inside-Out” design methodology has allowed Hyundai to offer two very distinct flavors of the Staria Electric at launch:
1. The 7-Seater Luxury Variant
For executive transport, the 7-seater’s “Premium Relaxation Seats” are the star of the show. They offer a one-touch recline and leg-rest extension for a “zero-gravity” feel. In the context of 2026’s EV market, the absence of powertrain noise turns this rear cabin into a highly productive (or highly restful) mobile office.
2. The 9-Seater Wagon Variant
This is the workhorse. If you’ve ever had to coordinate a carpool for a local football team or run a boutique hotel shuttle, this is your dream vehicle. The seats slide and fold with surprising ease, and even with all rows occupied, there is a legitimate 1,303 liters of cargo space if you configure it correctly. It’s rare to find an EV that doesn’t sacrifice seat count for battery space, but Hyundai managed it here by tucking the cells deep into the floor.
The rear design features eye-catching vertical LED combination lamps and a lowered bumper to simplify the loading of cargo and luggage.
Real-World Specs: Motor and Performance
It’s a front-wheel-drive setup, pulling power from a 160 kW motor hidden under the front section. While 218 PS might not sound like “supercar” territory, the 350 Nm of torque is the real hero here, providing the immediate shove needed for a heavy-duty people mover.
Numbers on a spec sheet don’t tell the whole story. While 218 horsepower might sound modest for a vehicle this size, the instant torque of the electric motor changes everything. In a traditional diesel van, there’s always a delay as the turbo spools and the transmission finds the right cog. The Staria EV eliminates that entire process. And with a top speed capped at 184 km/h, it’s got plenty of hustle for the highway, even if you’re hauling a full house.
The Staria Electric cockpit features the next-generation ccNC infotainment system, combining high-tech dual screens with dedicated physical buttons for intuitive use.
Practicality for the “Non-EV” Crowd
One of the coolest features—and one that I think will convince the skeptics—is the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. We’ve seen this on the Ioniq 5, but it makes so much more sense in a van. You have 100W USB-C ports in every single row, but more importantly, you have standard AC outlets.
Imagine taking this van camping. You can run an electric grill, a projector for a movie night, or even a coffee machine directly off the car’s 84kWh battery. It’s basically a massive, mobile power bank that also happens to have heated seats and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Technical Breakdown: At a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Battery Size | 84 kWh |
| Max Range | 400 km (WLTP) |
| Drive Configuration | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Fast Charging | 10% to 80% in ~20 mins |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000 kg (Braked) |
| Payload Capacity | Optimized for 9 Passengers |
Can It Actually Work as a Daily Driver?
One major talking point on the show floor was whether this electric van could actually haul. We’ve all seen electric SUVs struggle with range once a trailer is attached, but the Staria EV isn’t shying away. With a 2,000 kg braked towing rating, Hyundai seems pretty confident that their new 800V system can handle the extra strain without leaving you stranded.
The vehicle also features a heated charging port cover. It sounds like a minor detail until you’re in a European winter and your charging flap is frozen shut. This kind of “quality of life” engineering shows that Hyundai isn’t just building a gadget; they’re building a tool.
Premium second-row captain seats and a wide, airy cabin highlight the comfort-focused interior of the Hyundai Staria EV.
Safety and the “Smart” Cabin
Hyundai has equipped the Staria Electric with the full SmartSense suite, but the safety features aren’t just limited to the road. Designers also tackled the ergonomic challenges of such a massive cabin. To keep the driver’s focus forward, a dedicated intercom system was added. By piping the driver’s voice directly through the rear speakers, the tech removes any need to shout or look away from the windshield to communicate with those in the third row.
Dual 12.3-inch displays sit behind a stunning glass housing, giving the Staria EV a top-tier digital feel. But the headline for many will be the buttons. Hyundai listened to those who found touchscreen menus too clumsy and reinstated physical keys for the AC. For anyone tired of tapping glass just to change the fan speed, this updated layout is a major improvement.
Final Thoughts on the Launch
Production of the Staria EV is now underway at Hyundai’s South Korean hub. The company has confirmed a dual-market launch strategy for H1 2026, prioritizing the European and domestic Korean markets for the initial retail phase.
While the price hasn’t been officially “penned in,” most analysts expect it to sit somewhere between the high-end diesel models and the luxury Ioniq 9. If you need space, if you need speed (in charging, at least), and if you’re tired of the “boring” van aesthetic, this might be the most important car launch of the year.
FAQs – Hyundai Staria Electric Unveiled with 400km Range
1: How far can the Staria Electric actually go on a single charge?
Hauling a full nine-person crew at 120 km/h is the quickest way to drain the 84 kWh pack. Aerodynamics are not this vehicle’s strong suit, so the 400km WLTP claim should be viewed as a ceiling. It’s a tool for the “last mile” of luxury travel, not a marathon runner.
2: What makes the charging system better than other electric vans?
Forget the sluggish 400V systems found in typical electric vans. The Staria EV borrows the high-speed 800V architecture from Hyundai’s flagship Ioniq line, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in a mere 20 minutes. For airport shuttles or busy fleets, this speed is the difference between making money and wasting time at a charger.
3: Is there any “hump” in the floor like the diesel model?
No. By ditching the driveshaft and exhaust, Hyundai made the floor “pancake flat.” Passengers can slide between the rows without tripping over a transmission tunnel. It transforms the interior into a genuine lounge—something no diesel-powered van can truly offer.
4: Can it actually tow a trailer?
The spec sheet says yes—2,000 kg braked. That is a massive number for an electric MPV. The 350 Nm of torque helps with the heavy lifting, though towing a full load will naturally slash the driving range by a significant margin.
5: How does the driver communicate with passengers in the far back?
A five-meter cabin usually swallows sound, but the built-in intercom solves the distance issue. Voice audio is captured at the dash and played through the rear speakers instantly. It’s a clever bit of “quality-of-life” tech that prevents driver distraction during family trips or shuttle runs.
6: What is the “V2L” feature people keep talking about?
Vehicle-to-Load turns the van into a rolling power station. Standard AC outlets inside let passengers plug in anything from a laptop to a coffee maker. It runs off the main 84 kWh battery, making it perfect for mobile offices or powering a campsite.
7: Why are there physical buttons for the AC?
Drivers hated digging through digital menus just to change the fan speed. Hyundai listened and put physical keys back on the dash. It’s a practical, “no-look” design choice that keeps the focus on driving rather than tapping a touchscreen.
8: Does the battery take up any interior room?
Zero space is lost. By packing cells deep into the chassis, the 9-seater Wagon keeps its full 1,303-liter cargo hold. It is a rare case where switching to electric power doesn’t kill the seat count or the luggage room
9: Is 218 horsepower enough for such a big vehicle?
Forget the spec sheet’s horsepower—torque does the real heavy lifting. Electric delivery is immediate, giving this van a level of snap that old-school diesels lack. No spooling up a turbo or hunting for gears; it simply lunges forward the second the pedal drops.
10: Will the charging flap freeze shut in the winter?
The charging port cover is heated. It sounds like a gimmick until a European or Korean winter hits and ice locks the flap shut. It’s a small, thoughtful engineering touch that proves this van was built for year-round work.
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