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Hyundai Motor Co. is currently at the top of its game. Its USA arm, once derided for patchy quality, was recently recognized as the number one mass-market brand in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. Its lineup worldwide has never been better. Years of patiently investing in design and quality improvements is apparently paying off. In the Philippines, its success story began with the unofficial importation of a not-so-little minivan called the Starex. With support only from your friendly neighborhood car dealers, the van cornered market leadership in its segment. Even local manufacturers were confounded by the Starex’s proliferation. When Hyundai Automotive Resources Inc. started its official Philippine presence, it took the prudent steps of servicing the tens of thousands of Starex already on the road and including an updated version in its lineup. The current vehicle will still be recognizable to anyone who’s ridden in the previous model. The most obvious difference is a “freshened” look up front. The bland but pleasant countenance of the original has given way to an odd appearance with a gaping mouth. It’s no longer as jarring as when it was first revealed, but it’s still capable of turning heads. Go beyond the oddball nose and you’ll find that the van has been improved in numerous ways. Drivetrain, interior, and chassis have all been heavily reworked, and rust protection should now be adequate. The biggest upgrade is under the hood. In place of the serviceable but ancient diesel engines of the old vehicle is a thoroughly modern power plant with common-rail direct injection. The 2.5-liter inline-4 generates 145 hp, and an enormous 360 Nm at 2000 rpm, quite enough to lug around the 1620 kg of van around town. Big diesel 4x4s will be hard-pressed to keep up with a Starex, especially on steep uphill roads. It doesn’t seem to make much of a difference whether there are one or eight people on board. |
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