The Hyundai Stargazer quickly became one of the most recognizable MPVs in the Philippines, with its futuristic design and family-friendly practicality. Meanwhile, its sportier twin, the Stargazer X, gave the nameplate a tougher, more adventurous vibe. Now, both models have received their first major facelifts.
The mechanical foundation stays the same. However, the refresh brings in new touches to the design, tech features, and safety equipment. With this in mind, here’s what’s new about the facelifted Hyundai Stargazer and Stargazer X.
Exterior design
The biggest change is immediately visible from the outside. The original Stargazer featured a smooth, rounded face with a continuous LED strip, halogen or reflector headlights, and clean lines. Meanwhile, the old Stargazer X added black accents and roof rails, but the overall design remained light and approachable.
The facelift shifts to a bolder stance. The hood is taller, the grille is bigger, and it now carries a full set of LED headlights. Moreover, front and rear bumpers have been reshaped, adding a more confident look. The rear features a set of new H-pattern taillights, a contrast to the sharply styled set from the previous model. As for the Stargazer X, it now sports a blacked-out grille and badge. It also has sportier bumpers, an extended spoiler, black garnishes, and an improved roof rail that can load up to 100 kg of cargo. A set of black 17-inch alloy wheels completes the look.
Size
The Stargazer and Stargazer X have now been improved dimensionally. The former measures 4,610 mm long, 1,820 mm wide, and 1,740 mm tall (up from 4,575 mm × 1,780 mm × 1,695 mm). The Stargazer X, on the other hand, measures 4,610 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width, and 1,740 mm in height. Though subtle on paper, the size increase not only makes both refreshed models look visually bigger.
Interior
Inside, the previous model was well laid out but leaned on simplicity. It had an 8-inch infotainment screen and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster. It also came with manual climate control on most trims and a traditional handbrake – functional but held back by the changing times.
The facelift modernizes the cabin with improved materials and features. One striking feature is the dark interior theme for both models now, unlike before, when only the Stargazer X had the dark cabin. This gives both models a premium motif. Higher trims now use a sizable 10.25-inch head unit that combines the infotainment and instrument cluster. It also features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an electronic parking brake with auto hold. It also carries the 2,780 mm wheelbase from the previous model, which provides familiar legroom, especially for second-row occupants.
Engine
No big changes are found under the hood. The familiar 1.5-liter gasoline engine is still there, delivering 115 hp and 144 Nm of torque. Just the same, the Hyundai-developed intelligent variable transmission (IVT) remains.
Safety
When it comes to safety, the facelift shines with a host of new features. While the previous model did have a decent number of features, such as ABS, stability control, hill-start assist, airbags, and a rearview camera with lane-keeping assist and blind-spot warning on select variants, the facelift improves with Hyundai SmartSense. This suite of driver-assist and safety tech includes smart cruise control with stop & go, forward collision avoidance assist, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, and rear occupant alert. The Hyundai SmartSense is complemented with six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a parking sensor.
The facelifted Hyundai Stargazer and Stargazer X represent an evolution, rather than just a simple refresh. The bolder exterior gives the MPV a stronger personality, the updated interior brings it closer to the tech-savvy competition, and the new safety suite adds a layer of confidence and peace of mind – traits that weren’t as pronounced as before.
Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) launches the refreshed Stargazer and Stargazer X today, with the following suggested retail prices (SRP):
- Stargazer X 1.5 Premium IVT – P1,378,000
- Stargazer X 1.5 GLS Plus IVT – P1,318,000
- Stargazer 1.5 GLS IVT – P1,228,000
- Stargazer 1.5 GL Plus IVT – P1,118,000
