It’s virtually a four-wheeled dream team. Hyundai has always been a game-changer in the MPV arena—from the venerable Starex to the genre-redefining Staria to the segment-disrupting Stargazer and Stargazer X.
And now Hyundai Motor Philippines is making it a four-member team loaded with star players and a new first-draft pick. The newcomer is the first-ever Hyundai Custin (which recently made its debut together with the aforementioned Stargazer X).
The new Custin makes Hyundai’s roster of MPVs one of the most formidable in the country. And it adds even more luxury and diversity to the Korean automaker’s MPV range.
The Custin is a mid-sized MPV positioned to elevate the standards of a contemporary people mover in the areas of space, comfort, safety, and technology.
Like its corporate siblings, the Custin embodies the brand’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, starting with the distinctive Parametric Diamond design grille with concealed daytime running lights, which are carried over to the sides into the turn signal lamps, door handles and sill trims.
Viewed from the side, the Custin exhibits visual dynamism with a rising windowline, sculpted fender openings, and stylish 18-inch Dynamic Blade aluminum alloy wheels. From behind, it showcases aircraft wing-inspired LED taillights that extend across the full width of the car. Hyundai’s traditional oval-ringed “H” emblem has been replaced by its spelled-out name.
Inside, the Custin presents inspiration from one of the best forms of luxury—a private jet. It has an aircraft-like “cockpit” with a flatter floor, so comfort and space are maximized. With an expansive length of 4,950 mm and a generous wheelbase of 3,055 mm, the Custin leads in space. The ground clearance of 170 mm also allows easier access for children and elderly passengers when alighting.
The top-of-the-line variant of the Custin comes with a 7-seat 2+2+3 configuration that boasts of second-row captain chairs with a relaxation mode, which can be activated using the infotainment screen or the one-touch buttons on its armrest. The seats also have 10-way power adjustment as well as heating and ventilation functions for utmost luxury and comfort even on the longest road trips. Rounding out the interior amenities are a dual sunroof, rear curtains, and rear-seat folding trays with tablet stand.
For even more comfort and convenience, the Custin is equipped with a 10.4-inch infotainment system that doubles as the surround and rear-view monitor. It also operates with a button-type shift-by-wire transmission alongside an Electronic Parking Brake and Drive Mode selector. Wireless chargers in the first and second rows are also available to ensure on-the-go connectivity, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming as standard. Additionally, it has Smart Power Sliding doors for safe and convenient entry and exit of passengers—a boon in tight parking spaces.
The new Custin is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine from Hyundai’s proven Smartstream family. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the engine develops a strong 170 ps and 253 Nm of torque. It employs a Continuous Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology, which better controls the valve opening and closing time, as well as an Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS), which improves the warm-up and flow of coolant in each state of use. These results in more optimal engine performance, higher fuel efficiency, and lower exhaust emissions.
The Custin boasts the Hyundai SmartSense suite of advanced driver-assist safety (ADAS) features, including Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind-spot Collision Avoidance (BCA), Safe Exit Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Surround View Monitor (SVM)* for the Premium variant, and Manual Speed Limit Assist.
The drivetrain has four drive modes. Comfort, which is the default; Sport, for a more enthusiastic driving performance; Eco, for a more fuel-efficient drive; and Smart, which automatically adjusts to any of the first three modes based on driving habits and conditions.
The Custin comes in two variants: the P1,770,000 GLS and the P2,080,000 Premium. Initial color options are Aurora Blue Pearl, Polar White and Military Gray Metallic. The GLS variant has a black monotone interior while the Premium comes in gray.
Both come with a 5-year or 200,000-km (whichever comes first) warranty and are now officially available nationwide at any authorized Hyundai dealership nationwide.
Photos by Mica de los Reyes
