Hyundai Stargazer buyer's guide: Which of the three variants is the best value?

The Malaysian seven-seater MPV market in 2026 has finally welcomed a long-awaited newcomer.

First previewed at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) in June, the Hyundai Stargazer is now officially open for bookings. Offered in three variants, estimated prices range from RM99,000 to RM121,000. Official pricing will only be confirmed when the MPV officially launches in the fourth quarter.

In a B-segment MPV market currently dominated by the Perodua Alza, Toyota Veloz, and Mitsubishi Xpander, what does the Stargazer bring to the table? With a RM22,000 price gap between the lowest and highest variants, where exactly does the extra money go?

Powertrain and chassis

Let's make this clear first: the Style, Prime, and X variants share the exact same powertrain.

All three variants share the same 1.5-litre Smartstream G four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, producing 115 PS and 144 Nm of torque.

This is paired with Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) – essentially a CVT that uses a chain belt instead of a conventional steel belt, which theoretically offers better durability and transmission efficiency. Power is sent to the front wheels.

Whether you opt for the entry-level Style or the range-topping X, they will drive the same. On paper, 115 PS is slightly higher than the roughly 105 PS offered by the Xpander and Veloz, making highway overtaking with a full load slightly more effortless. However, do not expect any neck-snapping acceleration.

Dimensions and cabin space

The Stargazer boasts a significant size advantage in its class. Its 2,780 mm wheelbase is claimed to be the longest in the segment, while its overall length of 4,575 mm makes it 150 mm longer than the Perodua Alza.

With all three rows of seats in place, boot capacity stands at a modest 185 litres. Folding down the third row expands cargo space to 585 litres, and with both rear rows folded flat, it maxes out at 1,892 litres.

While the cargo figures are impressive, the real differentiators between the variants lie in the seating layout and equipment levels.

Style (RM 99,000)

The Style variant features a standard seven-seater layout (2+3+2).

The spec list is rather basic: LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch multi-info instrument display, and fabric seats.

On the safety front, it only comes with two airbags and lacks any Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

For RM99,000, you get a decent seven-seater family hauler with all the essentials. However, in 2026, a brand-new car offering only two airbags is a tough pill to swallow.

Prime (RM 109,000)

Upgrading from the Style to the mid-spec Prime variant will cost you an extra RM10,000.

The upgrades include: 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display, and combination leather seats.

Safety gets a massive boost, jumping from two to six airbags.

More crucially, the Prime adds the full Hyundai SmartSense ADAS suite. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control (with Stop & Go), Lane Centering Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and Forward Collision Warning.

For an additional RM10,000, the dual 10.25-inch displays, six airbags, full ADAS suite, and combination leather seats make the Prime the most value-for-money variant in the line-up.

X (RM 121,000)

The range-topping Stargazer X commands a RM12,000 premium over the Prime.

The most significant difference is the cabin layout. The X is configured as a six-seater (2+2+2) featuring individual second-row Captain Seats – making it the only variant in the range to offer this premium seating arrangement.

Visually, the X sports a rugged, SUV-inspired styling, featuring sportier front and rear bumpers, gloss black alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and blacked-out badging.

Due to the rugged body cladding, the vehicle dimensions differ slightly, measuring 4,610 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width, and 1,740 mm in height.

Inside, the X steps up to full leather upholstery. The remaining equipment list is largely identical to the Prime, including the dual 10.25-inch screens, six airbags, and the full safety suite.

However, there is a catch. Compared to the Indonesian-spec model, the Malaysian-spec Stargazer X has received some equipment cuts: ambient lighting, power-adjustable driver's seat, and ventilated seats have been omitted, while the sound system has been downgraded from a 9-speaker Bose setup to a standard 6-speaker system.

Ultimately, the justification for the RM12,000 premium boils down to those second-row Captain Seats. Are you willing to pay that much more for the extra comfort?

Warranty and early-bird incentives

Hyundai Malaysia is offering an 8-year/160,000 km warranty package for the Stargazer. In the B-segment MPV class, this easily beats the competition – for comparison, the Perodua Alza comes with a standard 5-year/150,000 km warranty.

The first 800 customers to place a booking will enjoy an early-bird package, which includes 8 free maintenance services (equivalent to 4 years of servicing) and a RM1,000 loyalty reward (for existing Hyundai owners). Additionally, the booking fee is set at a low RM88.

Which should you buy?

The decision-making process here is relatively straightforward.

Go for the Style (RM99,000): If your budget is strictly under RM100,000 and you just need a no-frills seven-seater MPV without worrying about ADAS or airbag count, the Style is your entry point. However, the dual-airbag setup is something you should seriously reconsider in terms of safety.

Go for the Prime (RM109,000): Paying an extra RM10,000 secures you six airbags, the full SmartSense ADAS suite, dual 10.25-inch screens, and combination leather seats. This is easily the sweet spot of the Stargazer line-up, and it is the variant most buyers should go for.

Go for the X (RM121,000): If you absolutely must have second-row Captain Seats, the Stargazer X is your only option. The caveat is the RM12,000 price premium and the fact that several features have been omitted for the Malaysian market.

Whether this premium is worth it depends entirely on how much you value those individual seats.

The Stargazer enters a highly competitive segment, where well-established rivals like the Alza, Veloz, and Xpander have long captured the market.

The Stargazer's strengths lie in its class-leading wheelbase, slightly higher engine output, and that impressive 8-year warranty. However, its main hurdle is equally obvious: as a fully-imported (CBU) model from Indonesia, it simply cannot go head-to-head on price with the locally-assembled (CKD) Perodua Alza.

Nonetheless, on paper, the Stargazer presents a strong case for itself. The final piece of the puzzle will be how it actually performs on Malaysian roads when it officially launches in Q4.