The new Hyundai Staria, the replacement for a van known as the Starex, has an out-of-this-world, mysteriously futuristic style that has us agog. It’s among those rare minivans that tempts us—if only it was offered here in America, which it isn’t. We’ll never get the spaceship-like Staria, which is sad. Know what else is sad? Now there’s a Staria camper van, an even sweeter variety of the forbidden fruit.
Not familiar with this oddball Hyundai van sold overseas? There are a few versions of the Staria Lounge, and this camper van is one of them—but there are versions of the camper, too. The Camper 11 packs 11 people into its fold-flat interior (to fit that many people, the whole thing is basically four rows of seating) and features a fully automatic pop-up roof to add more space. With its impressive built-out camper interior, though, the less bus-like Camper 4 is the star of this show.
When all set up at camp, the Camper 4 looks the van life look and would attract copious attention. Most notable is what Hyundai calls the pop-up roof system, controlled and operated by a dedicated controller. Notice that the pop-up system is not just attached to the roof. It is the roof; the whole roof lifts. When it’s down, it’s hard to tell there’s even a pop-up.
A retractable awning system adds additional protection from the sun and is one of the top must-haves in the overlanding world. A slide-back table, supported by a single leg, extends from the rear (obviously when the hatch is open) and serves as a nice outdoor table. Zip-up netting for the rear hatch keeps bugs out while allowing for nice airflow into the interior. Power and fresh water supply can be accessed from the exterior and are located under protective covers mounted near the driver-side taillight.
The interior of the Hyundai Staria Lounge Camper 4 looks to be a cozy space for relaxation and protection from the elements, on par with other camper vans we’ve written about. Notice the curtains. Curtains! Bright lighting makes it easy to navigate and see what you’re doing, a definite bonus since an under-lit interior makes for a frustrating sleeping-outside situation.
The adjustable second-row powered seats and third-row bench beds fold completely flat for a nice resting area. Hyundai identifies the third row as bench beds rather than bench seats, implying there are no seatbelts (and we don’t see any seatbelts, in contrast to the second row perches). As the Camper 11 holds 11, it follows that the Camper 4 holds four, and indeed that’s all it can hold while on the go, between its front seats and second row.
A countertop covers a tiny kitchenette with a faucet and sink, and a fridge, allowing for more countertop space when access to the sink or fridge isn’t needed. A foldable indoor table can be swung out in front of the second-row seats, creating a nice indoor meal or activity table. Another storage compartment flap next to the third-row area opens to create another small table. Behind that storage compartment is a compartment that hides a detachable shower head for simple outdoor showering.
The adorable Staria camper van packs a lot of van camping greatness into its rather compact footprint, combining cutting-edge safety and futuristic looks with overlanding and camping vibes. We’d definitely rock the Hyundai Staria camper van on our next trip—if we were lucky enough to have it here.
Keyword: The Ultra-Futuristic Hyundai Staria Camper Van Offers a Peek Into Sleeping In a Spaceship