Hyundai Grand Starex Royale gets a new grille!
Hyundai has updated the Hyundai Grand Starex with a new front grille that features a slatted design rather than the original Starex’s mesh grille with a chrome surround and a chrome bar going through it. The new model is called the Hyundai Grand Starex Royale. The wing mirrors are also now body-coloured instead of black, and now feature signal indicators on them.
One of the gripes that we had in our Grand Starex review was also the absence of a rear windscreen wiper – this has now been added onto the Grand Starex Royale. On the interior there is a new Pioneer touch screen LCD DVD player that is linked to a 7 inch LCD screen located at the middle top of the MPV for rear passenger enertainment purposes.
For more details on whether the Grand Starex is a worthy addition to your fleet of vehicles especially if you have a growing family (the Starex has a total of 11 seats with seatbelts – that’s alot of people!), check our our test drive review of the Grand Starex. Or look after the jump for more photos of the updated Hyundai Grand Starex Royale. It’s priced at RM148,888 OTR in West Malaysia and RM153,997.50 OTR in East Malaysia. Four colours are available – Crystal White, Stone Black, Sleek Silver and Carbon Grey.
August 10, 2009 @ 11:14 am
this is one huge people carrier. how’s the safety like? any ratings given?
August 10, 2009 @ 11:27 am
Need to start a travel business to buy this one!
August 10, 2009 @ 11:38 am
The grill looks like a paintball mask and I think that the new grill did not accentuate the grand and and royale language of the car.
August 10, 2009 @ 11:48 am
i like this car…nice looking…
August 10, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
This is one hellova people carrier. With full load, it still accellerates well. Climbs better than most sedans. Maybe it’s because of the commonrail turbo diesel engine. Smooth ride and handling. There’s never a time where I feel un-safe whenever I drive this one around nor do any of my passengers ever complain that they feel threatened. Comfort is there, but for me, since I have quite a number of family members to drive around, 2 thumbs up (3, if I’m an alien), for the space offered at such affordable price.
August 10, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
Oh tak mahu…asap busuk sbb enjin diesel. Kotor tangan semasa isi minyak.
August 10, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
An alternative to T Alphard? Can we take out the extra seats???
August 10, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
The front grille look so weird to me..
Better buy a small school bus, so u can carry the whole village…hehehe
August 10, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
tis is d chepeast among Alphard / Elegrand / Estima / Serena
Indo is selling a lot…..
August 10, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
the grille is from alphard…
August 10, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
is this a bus?
August 10, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
alamak grille mcm pagar kandang lembu
August 10, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Korean Alphard Wannabe.
August 10, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
If only they could add in power sliding doors.. but it wud kick up the price then..
It’s a great people carrier.. I remember I took it to Genting with 4 passengers.. slow on the hill climbs but it gets the job done! Cornerings are very stable but needs alot of getting used to..
August 10, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
new grill also wanna announce aa?
poor hyundai..
but nway.. it’s better than alphard.
August 10, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
There’s a aunty used grand starex as school bus near my area, so no surprise if some1 use it for travel agency
August 10, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
hmmm……..the third brake light could have design much sportier rather than that.like the white colour better.wish i have big family to buy this mpv.worth every penny if u look at the specs for an mpv.could simply throw out the last row of seat and reconfig the other seat arrangement for more space plus the the cargo area.this is what i called a family car.great job Hyundai
August 10, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
looks like a mask for H1n1 protection ! the old one nicer
August 10, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
I see a lot of so-called vip use this car with driver. Yupp, if i am filthy rich, love to seat at the back and be pampered rather than use those crappy Mercedez, or whatever luxury sedan on the market. Actually, i see the point of some rich people owning this car. Very relaxing and spacious on the back and you can do plenty of work too. Beat those MPV wanabees like Proton, Perodua, Nissan…stupid type of cars and calling them what? MPVs…my goodness…
August 10, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
donny,
just stop complain about being dirty n busuk.guess u never change or top up some pressure for your tires then.spoilt rich boy,all u know is just to drive it without knowin how to take care of it.asap busuk laa…..like u prefer sniff petrol car so much.grow up kiddo
August 10, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
this is a pimp van!!!
August 10, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
nice…if i have a big family,will consider to buy it..
August 10, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
I visited the showroom last week to view this car. I think the Koreans have done a very good job with this vehicle. One thing they should definitely improve on is the handbrakes. It is placed in a very inconvenient location (as highlighted in your last review) just like the Naza Ria. Should consider replacing the handbrake with a brake pedal just like the Toyota Camry.
August 10, 2009 @ 1:11 pm
nmpk ganas la grill tu.
others, move away!
hehehe
August 10, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
This car versus Exora Prestige… who will win?
it just a Big Van…
August 10, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
looks like alphard feel at the 1st sight.
August 10, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
these huge monsters 8 seaters are threatening other people’s lives on the road. because they are big, they tend to bully smaller cars.
August 10, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
this is an elgrande copycat…it’s like poor but still want to lansi by driving elgrande replica..
August 10, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
maybe Nirvana will start to use it and replace their mercedes benz range…to target lower market segment…
August 10, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
maybe Nirvana will use this model to replace some of their mercedes benz range to target lower market segment..
August 10, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
looks like stavic…
August 10, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
i prefer the old look, this new one makes it look abit like a bug.
August 10, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
motoring news sure has died down recently huh? Its very obvious when paul even starts to announce a grille change on a car…..
August 10, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
i don’t like the grill.
but i like the car, it’s really a good car indeed, got 5-speed auto and powerful 400Nm and 170HP 2.5liter Diesel engine.
And a large body bigger than Naza Ria, it’s really a worth ‘mini-Bus’
whole family on the move!!!!
August 10, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
Fren, the smoke is smelly not because it is diesel but our diesel quality is LOW!
August 10, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
power, mmg korean dah buat a good people mover..selesa dan mantop, enjin pun berkuasa…kalo price nye serendah 60K mmg dah lama saya cekup satu..
August 10, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
in Srwk its used as “kereta Mayat” for funeral…..
August 10, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
i’ve to buy a house first… i’ll consider this type of big van in 10-15 years time… cant afford to have both now…
August 10, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
I do love its new front look…I hate the chrome that used to attach to its front..
It would make a good rapper official vehicle if it comes with red body paint with 20inch++ red rims…seriously I’m quite into this car even though its badge won’t match alphards, estimas and odysseys.
August 10, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
one problem that is plaguing with korean cars nowadays is that most of the facelifted one comes with funny look such as melted bumper, or angry crab front bumper design.
so sad that after so long that hyundai has been finding their family trademark DNA , and suddenly it all vanishes in the new facelifted design.
August 10, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
ni keta sesuai utk semua bapak ayam kat KL…….
August 10, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
saw 1 white Starex not long ago, blinged with bodykits and chrome wheels, NICE!!!
feels better than blinged Elgrand…
August 10, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
yucks…
August 10, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
more room for bangbus…yea!!
August 10, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
boleh bawak 1 pasukan bola
August 10, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
I’ve got to be honest, from an esthetic point of view that has to be the Ugliest people mover I’ve ever seen, period.
August 10, 2009 @ 6:57 pm
the front looks like the face of optimus prime…. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2649033006_76dd01991d.jpg
cheers, just joking….
August 10, 2009 @ 7:05 pm
The grill is a carry over design from Hyundai Genesis luxury division. with the price being offered, this is an alternative to Nissan and Toyota.
August 10, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
Is it just me or does this van look like a guinea pig? Hahaha…
August 10, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
oh donny, ure such a primitive.
August 10, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
guinea pig… is that guinea pig related to the pig family?
August 10, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
link to gp : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_pig
August 10, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
You know I heard that there is a 1 month waiting list on this mpv ..
August 10, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
im surprised they use Pioneer as their ICE instead of Samsung… LOL…
August 10, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
wow..thats ugly
August 10, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
Kenapa hyundai design tak berape cantik..lebih baik proton..
August 10, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
One thing for sure… it is big. can anyone share the fuel consumpsion?
Thanks.
August 10, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
look even more sportier than the previous one…
just like camel transform 2 dromedary…….
for me its like an alternative for alphard, c4 grand picasso, grand espace, estima and even an elgrand… for a monster mpv with a 2.5 turbo diesel engine… its a good deal 4 ppl who have many child……and of course….big money for the road tax and also insurans….include gas.
August 10, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
Fugly LORRY
August 10, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
maybe samsung is not a well-known ice provider…
August 10, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
today i have 2 Starex on the road, one in PJ and one in Puchong…
the black Starex looks cool…
I like this facelifted one too… personally i feel it looks better than the Alphard
very attractive price for such a giant MPV… value for money for its built quality, better than buying the old look Kia Ria which my friend sold it due to super high FC….
August 10, 2009 @ 11:01 pm
WTH…this facelift looks uglier than previous
August 10, 2009 @ 11:01 pm
btw, i just found out from chinese forum that this Starex is very selling in China… looks like favorites for many travel agencies in China due to attractive price, spacious, comfort, and powerful too….
August 11, 2009 @ 12:15 am
kereta utk org kaya yg sombong….sesuai ngn facelift @ grille muka besar hidung pun tinggi
August 11, 2009 @ 7:44 am
The previous Starex, which is name as JAC Ruifeng is the best selling MPV in China… They have sold more than 20,000 in the first half 2009…
http://auto.gasgoo.com/News/2009/07/22015723572396041918.shtml
August 11, 2009 @ 9:29 am
is quite an attractive price for this size of MPV. it almost same feeling with Toyota Alphard/ Vellfire, but definitely Toyota is on the high price.. Well, I’m still feeling wired to Exora, the roof was so high!
August 11, 2009 @ 9:33 am
i have test drive last week, the handling a bit like lorry however have to reset tyre presure mo make driving comfortable. Well its batter than Alphard in term of space & funtion since not all driving this MPV are Pilot. Kena tambah nilai astatik untuk bersaing ngan Alphard & Elgrand. Yang i tahu sekarang nie banyak org kaya beli untuk jejalan dengan keluarga diaorg hujung minggu.
August 11, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
ok..x mampu nak pki alphard..starex ni pn ok ape.
August 11, 2009 @ 1:11 pm
we orang miskin will complaint about smeely diesel, hand get dirty, etc if buying this car, mpv, whatever ..those orang kaya will buy because road tax is the same as petrol, period between refuelling, big enough room for their whole family, golf clubs and all those fancy clothes in their big bags in one go
and in CBT last 2/3 weeks even 1 pro racer saying that the handling is even better than T.alphard that he initially wanted to buy ..and we orang miskin thought that with this big body it will drive like a bus ..hmmmm
August 11, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
Mamat Puchong,
According to the fuel consumption declaration in the Bosch Fuel Efficiency Awards
8.5 l/100 km = 11.8 km/l … combined data.
It is reported in some other forums that they could get 900 over km on highway driving with 1 Tank which is 75l .. which equates to about just over 12 km/l. Mind you that diesel is RM 1.70 /l which means that’s about 14.1 cents per km.
Turbo charging diesel engines will increase economy .. let alone a VGT one.
August 11, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
tis grille looked stupid for me..macam nak jadi copycat frm alphard n elgrand..
n seems like tis is not d official facelift from Hyundai..
it seems like a facelift from our Hyundai Malaysia distributor instead..
jz like wat they did to new Accent..new Elantra..which is also looked stupid den original look..
August 11, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
the new grill makes the van look cheaper cherry estar look more fine then this plastic sugery..grill BUT they name it royale so shame nothing is ok with the grill look like a reject model
August 11, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
Rhys Miller.
Thank you… indeed you have make a good reference.
August 22, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
aku baru je beli,kaler hitam smart la,dalam selesa,rasa mcm naik kapal terbang,pikap power..ok la dr pd alphard yang mahal nk mampus tu
August 24, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
I just took Starex Royale last week (white colour). My humble opinion for this model :
1) Spacious for 11-12 passengers
2) 5 years warranty or 300k
3) 2009 brand new and not 2004
4) A lot of accesorries i.e. sensor , DVD , leather seats etc
5) Turbo Diesel
Maybe it is not comparable with Alphard. But bottom line I am proud to park my Starex Royale next to Alphard or Elgrand. For those who can afford to buy but like to condemn , pls take your deep breath….
October 1, 2009 @ 11:58 am
I just bought one white colour before Hari Raya. I am proud for:
a) Very economic fuel consumption within its class & capacity
b) Spacious & Comfortable
c) Superb road handling. Tested on a speed at 160km ~ 170km…to my surprise..rpm is about 3,000…
d) I have change my wheel from 16″ to 20″ chrome sporty & elegance sport rims but within the original spec…. Now, my “second wife” looks more sexy…juicy..and all the ccccc…
Worth of my every single penny spend..:-)
October 25, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
i bought 1 already…huhuhu..best oooooo…..murah… besar…kelasnyer tersendiri..