A Hyundai camper van? It’s not as big a leap as you might think. In the rest of the world, Hyundai offers loads of vans, including its latest, the Staria.
Now, at a camping show in Germany, Hyundai has revealed the Staria Camper Concept. Think of it like a vintage VW Westfalia, but with an electric motor and an H on the nose.
Starts With a Space-Age Van Design
The Staria is a space-age–looking van from Hyundai that is sold in most of the world, but isn’t offered in North America. The latest is an electric model, which has the same looks but a 249-mile range on a charge.
Hyundai’s camper version of the Staria puts the electric platform to good use. It’s more than just a pop-top on a van, though that gives you more headroom and some extra sleeping spaces.
You can use the camper’s 85kWh battery to power its convenience systems when you’re off-grid. The van has a fridge and a portable shower, and the HVAC system uses a heat pump, so it only needs electrical power.
Loads of Solar Helps Keep the Battery Topped Up
If you’re going to be staying out there for longer, the concept includes solar panels. Hyundai says the 520W panels can generate around 2.6 kWh of electricity per day. That’s if you have 5 hours of sunlight, so most real days will deliver even more.
The Staria looks quite spacious inside, given the size of the van. All of the seats in the rear fold perfectly flat, and there is a large counter space for meal prep and other needs. It has multiple storage spaces, a factory-installed awning, and a table that slides out from the rear cargo area.
Both front seats pivot 180 degrees to become rear-facing when you’re parked. A folding table can be set up in the lounge space that the seats create to make for more pleasant dining.
One clever feature of the concept is that Hyundai has replaced all of the rear windows with smart glass. Like the windows on a 787, you can electronically adjust transparency and shading to let in loads of light when you want it, but maintain privacy when you need it.
Should Hyundai Build the Staria Camper?
Hyundai is still trying to decide whether or not it should build the van. It is looking for input from customers and attendees of the Caravan, Motor, und Touristik show in Stuttgart, where the concept made its debut.
Factory camper vans are not an insignificant market in Europe, where Volkswagen continues to build its California vans, and Fiat builds its own camper based on the Ducato van. It’s not a market we would have expected Hyundai to jump in on, but it seems that all the company wants is a little shove.
But sadly, we’re unlikely to see this machine make it to North American shores. Come on, Hyundai (and others) — please bring us cool factory campervans!
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