I was not impressed the first time I stepped inside the Stargazer during the media-only preview in mid-2022. As bold and daring as the exterior was, the cabin felt like it stepped back in time with the dashboard’s vertical orientation and odd-color frame propping up the eight-inch touchscreen.

Fast-forward eight months later, I tested it for a week and came away thoroughly impressed not just with its design and tech features but its performance and usability. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me take it from the top.

This Korean-branded, Indonesia-sourced MPV is arguably the most stylish of the lot. It looks prettier than the Avanza and Innova combined and shapelier than the Xpander, including its Livina twin. 

What sets its design apart from other MPVs is the front rake angle, which starts from the base of the windshield for most models. On the Stargazer, the angle begins from the tip of the hood to the roof, giving it a smooth dome-like nose. It is hard to miss it, especially since it has several other unique highlights, like the slim reflector bar across the grille (daytime running lamps on each side) and the stylish quad-LED headlamps. Its designers gave its body a lot of thought because even the sides have subtle but sharp lines that give their profile character. Finally, there’s the unmistakable rear with its Star-Wars-Imperial-Twin-Ion-Engine-fighter-look from the lightbar and the vertical LED + bulb taillights.

I could not be more upbeat about the chic design of the Stargazer. Larger wheels could be better (it sports 16-inch two-tone alloys) because of the squarish wheel well, but that may adversely affect NVH and efficiency, which we will get to later. In my opinion, this baby is very ‘oppa.’

It felt tight while I was driving through the usual spots around parking lots and garages, and after checking, it turns out, the Stargazer is the widest MPV out there. Add its cab-forward layout, and you have one of the roomiest cabins in the segment.

With more seat time in the vehicle, I had a much better appreciation of the dashboard design. Different is not bad, and having that gray plastic frame for the infotainment touchscreen reduces the glare when sunlight hits it. The operating system and graphic user interface were easy to use. I love its wireless Apple CarPlay and charging pad. It means someone else can plug into the USB port while you are wirelessly connected and juicing up your device.

How often do you have loose items to put down when you get in the car? A lot for me. Where do you lay them down? The Stargazer’s dashboard has plenty of flat surfaces — at the top and a long cubby hole in the middle — so you can free your hands up and settle in. Silver trims highlight the highly adjustable vents, gear selector, and climate control system. There are air vents as well in the second and third rows. Other thoughtful creature comforts include backseat tables and two additional USB ports for second-row passengers. I also appreciate how the illuminated center console cup holders — small add-ons that do not cost much — enhance the overall cabin experience.

A 1.5-liter Smartstream gasoline engine gives the Stargazer 115-PS and 144-Nm of torque. Drive goes to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. It feels lighter and more spritely than other MPVs. Acceleration is brisker, which makes it feel highly responsive. I love how it behaved on city streets, but its highway performance was a pleasant surprise. Even with a small displacement engine. It did not struggle to overtake and maintained 100 km/h while it hummed under the hood. Fuel consumption in mixed driving conditions was 14.7 km/l.

The ride is very comfortable for an MPV. It is almost sedan-like; very low noise, vibration, and harshness and a firm but cushy suspension. It even feels stable around corners and sharp bends. Handling is typical of an MPV, but the motor-driven power steering makes maneuvering a sizable vehicle easier and lighter on the arms. 

At P1.288 million, the features of this MPV do not end there. I have actually saved the best for last. Exclusive to the GLS Premium is Hyundai Smartsense, which includes Forward Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Collision Assist, Lane Keeping/Following Assist, High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance, Driver Attention Warning, and Safe Exit Warning.

There are so many things to love about this vehicle. I never even expounded on the leather seats and the smart key features. If you want an MPV with lots of Korean flavor, meaning great looks and a millennial, techy feel, look no further than the 2023 Stargazer 1.5 GLS Premium IVT.