Hyundai Motors unveiled a new crossover-inspired model based off its popular Stargazer subcompact 7-seater at the recently concluded GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2023, held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition BSD City in Tangerang, Banten, just outside Jakarta.
The new model, Stargazer X, has not been officially confirmed to arrive in the Philippines, although it seems highly likely considering both the Stargazer X and the current PH-model Stargazer are both made in Indonesia which, like the Philippines, has a robust market for affordable subcompact 7-seaters.
Hyundai gave the Stargazer X the tried and tested crossover treatment by giving it a taller ride height, higher ground clearance, and SUV-inspired plastic body cladding.
Smooth, seamless and minimalist—but with a crossover twist
The Stargazer has always stood out in its segment by virtue of its futuristic and boldly minimalist exterior styling. The Stargazer X continues this design trend, but brings with it a new hood, new front and rear bumpers, roof garnish, roof spoiler, and new 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels—all designed to give the Stargazer X a more rugged and adventurous vibe. The roof garnish is standard for the Indonesian market but has not yet been confirmed for the Philippine market.
The Stargazer X also presents two unique new matte finishes for the first time on an affordable mass-market production vehicle. For the Indonesian market, the Stargazer X is available in the head-turning Optic White Matte and Gravity Gold Matte. No word yet if those colors will be made available for the Philippine market.
Under the hood
Like the current Stargazer, the Stargazer X is powered by a Smartstream G4FIII 1.5 MPI 4-cylinder DOHC engine that produces 115ps and 143.8Nm. This smooth motor is mated to a lightweight Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), Hyundai’s version of a CVT. Four drive modes are available: Eco, Normal, Smart, and Sport
Spacious, versatile interior with available 6-seater version
The Stargazer X measures 4,495 mm long, 1,815 mm wide, 1,710 mm tall, and has a generous wheelbase of 2,780 mm, which endows it with a comfortable ride and lots of legroom.
Increasing the luxury factor, the Stargazer X is also available—at least in Indonesia—with captain’s seats on the middle row. The captain’s seats have armrests and can be adjusted to move forward, backward, upright, or reclined. The car’s fabric or synthetic leather seats have red stitching to give a sporty, upscale look. The Stargazer X also offers a back seat-mounted tray tables for passengers on the second row. Fingers crossed that the 6-seater will make its way to the Philippine market.
Other thoughtful features include rear AC vents and controls, LED room lamps, and high-gloss panels on the fascia, and on the audio and AC controls. There are power chargers on all three rows while wireless charging is an option.
The Stargazer X has a 4.2-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with USB, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple Carplay. For Indonesia, it also comes with a premium 8-speaker Bose audio system for clear and immersive sound quality. Bose would be a worthwhile addition should it become available for the Philippine market.
Advanced connectivity and control via Hyundai Bluelink
The Indonesian-spec Stargazer X boasts Hyundai Bluelink, a Connected Car Service innovation that allows users to always connect to their car via smartphone. Bluelink gives owners full access to essential features, such as knowing the current condition of the vehicle, turning on/off the engine, adjusting the cabin temperature, locking/unlocking the doors, turning on the horn, turning on/off the lights, including knowing where the vehicle is parked via Find My Car. Other Bluelink features include SOS/Emergency Assistance and Roadside Assistance (RSA).
Cutting-edge safety of Hyundai SmartSense
Hyundai maintains its commitment to presenting a worry-free driving experience on the Stargazer X by embedding the latest safety features through Hyundai SmartSense. One of them is Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), designed to detect and warn the driver when a vehicle is approaching and, if needed, will automatically activate the brakes.
Driver Attention Warning (DAW), meanwhile, analyzes the driver’s alertness while driving the Stargazer X. If the driver is detected to be out of focus, the system will give a notification for the driver to take a break, thereby preventing potential accidents, especially when driving long distances.
The Stargazer X is also equipped with Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA), Forward and Reverse Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Safe Exit Warning (SEW), High Beam Assist (HBA), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
All things considered, the Stargazer X is a vital edition to the Stargazer lineup and should greatly bolster not just the Stargazer range, but the whole Hyundai lineup as well. In Indonesia, the Stargazer X retails for Rp325,600,000 (roughly Php1,200,000 at current exchange rates) for the Stargazer X Style and Rp336,200,000 (approx. Php1,245,000) for the Stargazer X Prime. At present, the five Philippine market (non-X) Stargazer variants range from Php1,068,000 to Php1,298,000.
If the price is right (and so far Hyundai Motor Philippines has gotten its pricing right), the Stargazer X should prove to be a disruptive force in the affordable 7-seater crossover segment.
Photos from Hyundai Motor Philippines
