Hyundai Motor Philippines has been quiet the first half of 2026, but that’s about to change this July as the carmaker confirmed its first launch of the year: the new Staria HEV.

The carmaker set a July 9 reveal date for something that promises to make “premium space smarter.” And while the official teaser fell just short of saying that it’ll be hybrid, it’s worth noting that Hyundai Motor Philippines did recently receive homologation paperwork for the Staria HEV.

Based on paperwork filed with the Department of Energy and the LTO, the Staria HEV could come in three variants: the Staria 1.6T HEV GL which is an 11-seater, the Staria 1.6T HEV GLS which is a 9-seater, and the Staria 1.6T HEV Premium Plus which is a cushy 7-seater.

Regardless of variant, the Staria HEV swaps out the 2.2-liter Smartstream Diesel used in the current Staria for the 1.6-liter turbo SmartStream Gasoline mated to a 6-speed automatic. An electric motor, mounted inline with the gearbox can send power to a 1.48-kWh battery.

In this guise, the Staria HEV makes a combined 245 horsepower (180 horsepower from the combustion engine and 73 horsepower from the electric motor). Combined torque is rated at 367 Nm. All in all, this is up 68 horsepower compared to the diesel, but down 63 Nm when it comes to torque.

Thanks to its HEV powertrain, the Staria HEV gains the e-Motion Drive which bundles two suites of tech: e-Comfort Drive and e-Dynamic Drive. The former has e-Ride which minimizes vehicle shake when crossing speed bumps by controlling the motor further improving its comfort and stability. The latter has e-Handling which controls drive torque to maintain optimal traction during turns, e-EHA which maximizes evasion performance, and e-Traction which enhances vehicle grip and cornering stability.

Mechanically, the Staria HEV gains handling-related updates as well with a reinforced body structure and revised bushings. Moreover, the suspension has been retuned for driving stability and ride quality, whether empty or loaded.

Design-wise, it also receives a slight exterior nip and tuck. There’s a new front LED strip with “STARIA” engraved on the sides, a new grille and front bumper, and revised headlights.

Inside, there’s a larger infotainment screen (10.25-inch or 12.3-inch) with a hybrid specific display, more physical buttons, a new steering wheel, and a redesigned center console. Other possible features include front ventilated seats and second row seats, a second row “Premium Relaxation Seats,” power sliding doors, a Bose sound system, and the Hyundai SmartSense ADAS.