Low Profile Luxury: AutoAccess Hyundai Starex Platinum G6

AutoAccess' Hyundai Starex Platinum G6 lets you live the high life in low profile

It's nice to be the center of attention once in a while.

If you wear the latest designer clothes, have the newest smartphone, or drive a flashy car and you're bound to get people talking about you. No doubt being the talk of the town is fun, especially when people start thinking you’re an A-lister or simply a man of status. If you have the means to do so, why not right? As the saying goes, “If you got it, flaunt it.”

But there will be times when you just want to blend in and be a bit more incognito going around town. After all, having cameras pointed at your face, and being a topic all day can get taxing. Just ask celebrities and VIPs. These are the people that value their privacy and want some quiet time. Then again, these people also want to travel in comfort and luxury.

Thankfully, privacy and luxury aren't mutually exclusive, and there are many examples of that. Take AutoAccess’ Hyundai Starex Platinum G6, for instance. On the outside, it looks pretty much like any other Starex you’ll encounter on the road apart from the “Platinum” and “G6” badges at the rear. But that's what's great about this van: the Starex Platinum G6 shows what it can do once you hop on board.

Inside the Platinum G6 is a completely reworked interior done by one of South Korea's most renowned vehicle customizers – CN Motors Korea. With all the extra features and appointments done to its interior, this Starex is transformed into a luxury van. From the moment you open the automatic sliding doors and the automatic step board deploys, it feels as if you entered another world. Brown leather lines up most of the cabin, from the door panels up to the ceiling.

It has a cabin similar to what you would find in the first class seating of commercial airliners… or maybe even better. Instead of the usual second-row bench seats, you will be greeted by a pair of Ottoman seats. They are wrapped in high-quality leather and feature quilted stitching similar to what you would find in European luxury marques.

AutoAccess didn’t stop with fitting regular Ottoman chairs on the Starex Platinum G6. The second-row captain's chairs have a built-in massage function with individual reading lights. No need to do manual labor here as all the seat functions are controlled automatically via buttons on the armrest.

While we're on the subject of the armrest, it comes with a built-in heated and cooled cup holder. To activate, all you need to do is hit a switch. The days of room temperature drinks are numbered in this van, provided you turn it on, of course.  Another neat little touch is the hidden footrest. It's behind the front row of seats and reveals itself at the touch of a button.

This van also has people who have to work on the go in mind. The Starex Platinum G6 is equipped with a table that could be fitted to the Ottoman seats. Also, two USB sockets ensure that your gadgets are kept charged even with continuous use.

Of course, you can choose to kick back and relax instead of working back there. You can watch some of your favorite movies or TV series thanks to its overhead monitor. It comes with two USB ports and even an HDMI port, which can allow you to plug in a laptop or the gaming device of your choice. Entertainment possibilities in this special Starex are nearly limitless. Have the driver switch off the bright cabin light and it will give you the feeling of an outdoor movie with the starliner roof shining in the background. For an even more immersive experience, you can bring the window shades down.

The third-row bench seats have been upgraded too. They are upholstered in the same quilted leather as the rest of the cabin. For those that want to take a nap with more space, it can also be transformed into a bed; more space, and surely more comfortable to sleep on as compared to the Ottoman seats, even when fully reclined.

But while the Platinum G6 has rear passengers in mind, the driver isn’t left out with upscale finishes either. While the dash is pretty much a normal Starex, the front seats, center console, and even the door sidings have been upholstered in the same brown quilted leather. A touchscreen Android head unit then takes care of the infotainment.

Aside from the luxurious amenities, one has to admire the craftsmanship that went into this van. All the fittings, furnishings, and add-ons appear like it rolled off the factory that way.

What’s great about this Platinum G6 variant is that, at the end of the day, it is essentially just a Starex with a posh interior. As a result, maintenance isn’t expensive, and parts for the van are relatively easy to find. Most mechanics also know their way around since the model has been in the market for some time. The only significant difference is that the AutoAccess Starex is a Euro 6 diesel, since the units are directly imported from South Korea.

But then again, there’s no need to be worried about maintenance. AutoAccess offers customers a 5-year warranty for maintenance and services for all models, including this top-spec Platinum G6.

For all the luxury amenities in the Starex, you’re probably wondering how much it costs. Surprisingly, it won’t break the bank as much as the Starex Platinum G6 has an SRP of PHP 3.4 million. But for this month, AutoAccess does have a promo bumping the price down to PHP 2.9-3.1 million depending on the terms of payment.

For a low-profile luxury van that won’t break the bank, what more could you ask for? If you’re interested, you may check out AutoAccess' Facebook page or visit them directly in their showroom along West Avenue in Quezon City. It’s one thing to read about a luxury van on a website. It’s another to see and feel it for yourself.