That "custom" feel

MANILA, Philippines - Customized vans are often usually reserved for celebrities who prefer to retire to these vehicles in between takes, equipped as they are with bespoke leather, home theater quality entertainment systems, and – almost often – a thirsty V6 or V8 petrol engine. They typically cost and arm and a leg, are so cumbersome that a driver is often required to handle it, and some waiting is involved for the coachworks to get the van just right.

Sensing a unique opportunity to spruce up an already impressive vehicle, Hyundai came up with a Grand Starex variant with nearly all the bells and whistles of a custom van. It has plenty of the good stuff a custom van might have like tufted leather, a formidable entertainment system with a decently sized LCD screen in the back, and nice 2nd row captain’s chairs that could function as beds if you lay them completely flat. Missing is the option to really, really customize it like your choice of color for the leather, or the type of carpet and headliner material like you could with a custom van.

More “custom” touches include nifty overhead storage spaces in the back, window blinds, faux wood paneling, and mood lighting. These little details seem cheesy at first, so you need to have a sense of humor to appreciate the kind of riding experience that’s possible with this van. Friends and family alike appreciated the comfort of the passenger seats, the generous headroom afforded by the “bubble top” roof, and the Austin Powers-effect of the cabin entertainment system once you sit back, play a movie, and marvel at the lighting system. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few happy owners put a little disco ball inside this vehicle.

With its emphasis on passenger comfort rather than cargo space, there isn’t a lot of room behind the 3rd row bench for more than a few small bags. So if you’re traveling somewhere far with the family, you may actually need a second vehicle to carry your luggage. Or you could probably have to get creative stowing the bags under the seats and any other remaining space not occupied by humans. On the other hand, for general hauling duty the seats are quite flexible enough to free up space. The 3rd row bench and 2nd row captain’s chairs can be folded and rolled forward or backward to make room for long and tall items. I was able to fit three road bikes plus spare wheels and several bags without much difficulty.

With the additional weight of the Limousine over the regular Grand Starex, not to mention the higher center of gravity caused by that raised roof, it’s best to tell your chauffer to drive in a stately manner. There is substantial body roll in tight corners, and with a full load the van tends to scrape its stepboards even on gradually sloping speed bumps. When the road is straight and generally flat, however, it’s a treat to either drive or ride the “Limo”. The huge windshield creates a panoramic view that must feel like you’re piloting a 747, and the softly tuned suspension creates a pleasing, cloud-like effect that doesn’t get too floaty as to become nauseating.

Acceleration from the 2.5-liter CRDi engine is quite good considering the “Limo’s” bulk, with the 4-speed automatic transmission rarely ever caught in the wrong gear. One advantage the Limousine has over traditional custom coaches is the inherent thriftiness of its diesel powertrain. Even a relatively average return of 9-10 km/liter is still much better than the low 4/5 km/l of a typical gasoline V6 or V8.

With a sticker of P2.698M the Limousine is the priciest of the Grand Starex fleet, yet it’s an interesting proposition for those who are looking for a luxury van in the first place: a “custom” feel, right from the showroom, backed up by an impressive warranty and the other good traits that have made the Grand Starex such a hit for large families.