A COUPLE of months ago, I had the opportunity to test drive the 11-seater Staria GLS+ variant, and I was truly captivated by the experience. The van's impressive blend of affordability and premium features, especially for a mid-tier model, left a lasting impression on me. It's undoubtedly a formidable player in its segment.

I recently had the privilege of borrowing another Staria from Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. However, this time around, it was the epitome of luxury — the Hyundai Staria 2.2 Premium+ 8AT AWD (8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive).