Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer carrying seven people but still wanting brisk response, the Ford S-MAX’s 237 hp, 345 Nm petrol engine reaches 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, against the Hyundai Staria’s 175 hp, 431 Nm diesel and 12.4 seconds. The RM41,840 saving on the Staria buys a fundamentally bigger people carrier: 10 seats, a 3,273-mm wheelbase and 430 litres of boot space, versus seven seats, 2,849 mm and 285 litres. Its eight-year/160,000-km warranty is a major ownership advantage. Pick the S-MAX only if its richer driver-focused equipment and performance matter more than maximum passenger capacity.
Pick the Ford S-MAX if you need seven seats but prioritise 237 hp performance, a 8.4-second century sprint and powered heated, ventilated massage front seats.
Pick the Hyundai Staria if you need up to 10 seats, 430 litres of luggage room and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Ford S-MAX RM221,728; Hyundai Staria RM179,888.
- Performance: S-MAX 237 hp, 345 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds; Staria 175 hp, 431 Nm and 12.4 seconds.
- Capacity: S-MAX seats 7 with a 285-litre boot; Staria seats 10 with a 430-litre boot.
- Size: S-MAX is 4,796 mm long on a 2,849-mm wheelbase; Staria is 5,253 mm long on a 3,273-mm wheelbase.
- Warranty: S-MAX gets 3 years/100,000 km; Staria gets 8 years/160,000 km.
- Road tax: S-MAX RM440 per year; Staria RM599 per year.
S-MAX
- 237 hp and 8.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive LED projectors, lane-keeping steering correction and a driver’s knee airbag.
- Power front seats with memory, heating, ventilation and massage.
- Only seven seats and 285 litres of boot space against the Staria’s 10 seats and 430 litres.
- RM41,840 more expensive with a shorter 3-year/100,000-km warranty.
- Six-speed automatic versus the Staria’s eight-speed automatic.
Staria
- 10 seats and a 430-litre boot.
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 431 Nm diesel torque, plus USB ports for the second, third and last rows.
- 0-100 km/h takes 12.4 seconds, 4.0 seconds behind the S-MAX.
- Manual front-seat adjustment and manual air-conditioning versus the S-MAX’s powered, climate-controlled setup.
- No lane-keeping assist, while the S-MAX has steering correction.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM221,728 | RM179,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM599 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,199 cc |
| Horsepower | 237 hp✓ | 175 hp |
| Torque | 345 Nm | 431 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 85.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3 | 16 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Selectshift | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Ford/GM | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.4 seconds✓ | 12.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 224 km/h✓ | 185 km/h |
| Co2 | 180 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,796 mm | 5,253 mm |
| Width | 1,916 mm | 1,997 mm |
| Height | 1,655 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,849 mm | 3,273 mm |
| Weight | 1,748 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 285 litres | 430 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R17 | 215/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R17 | 215/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy 3 | Kumho PorTran KC53 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Sliding Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 10 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available On Three Middle Row Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Second Row Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Occupant Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Seats with Memory for Driver, Heated, Ventilated, with Massage Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-Folding Last Row, Electric Folding | 60:40 Split-folding, Sliding and Reclining 2nd Row, Two Flat-folding, Sliding and Reclining 3rd Row Captain Chairs, 60:40 Split-folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Ceiling-mounted Vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Second-row USB, 1 Third-row USB, 2 Last-row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Audio | 8" Ford SYNC 2 with 9-speaker Sony Premium Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Front Windows, Auto Up and Down, Manual Slide Rear Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 160,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 8 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used S-MAX & Staria for sale
S-MAX vs Staria FAQ
Is the Ford S-MAX or Hyundai Staria better?
The Staria is better for large-family or shuttle duty, with 10 seats, 430 litres of boot space and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The S-MAX is the better choice for seven occupants who value faster acceleration and substantially richer front-seat comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Ford S-MAX costs RM41,840 more than the Hyundai Staria: RM221,728 versus RM179,888. Its annual road tax is RM159 lower, at RM440 against RM599.
Which one is faster?
The Ford S-MAX is markedly faster: its 237 hp petrol engine completes 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds and reaches 224 km/h. The 175 hp Hyundai Staria takes 12.4 seconds and has a 185 km/h top speed.