Is Hyundai getting ready to debut the 2021 Starex?

The next-gen Hyundai Starex shows its rump

The Hyundai Starex is, perhaps, the oldest vehicle in the current range. The second-generation model made its debut way back in 2007, making this van 13 years old this year. It received a facelift in 2018, but it's still the same van under the new sheet metal.

A few months ago, spy shots of the third-generation Starex surfaced online. However, it was still blanketed by a lot of camouflage and false panels. It's been a while since we saw an update on the all-new van, so we dug around the web to see if there's anything new.

Thankfully, there is one, and it's a pretty significant bit of news. It's another spy shot of the Starex, but this time, it's showing a lot more metal. Spotted in South Korea, the all-new van was seen with its rear end with no covers, giving us a good view of the back.

Based on the photos, the 2021 Starex has a more upright tailgate compared to the outgoing model. Also, the rear windshield is massive, spanning over half of the whole tailgate. Hyundai seems to have visibility in mind, as they extended the taillights as well. Another noteworthy bit of design is the rear bumper, which looks short when placed side by side with the current version.

We also see a bit of its rear quarter panel. Like the rear windshield, the side windows are sizable, making the van look taller than before. Instead of defined lines, the next-generation Starex has subtle fender flares. Judging by how close the rearmost seats are to the tailgate, this appears to be the 11-seater variant.

There's also a glimpse of the front in these latest photos. We now know what the front doors look like, and it's nothing like the one we have at the moment. Also, the nose of the Starex is more sloped than before, perhaps for better frontward visibility. What's interesting here is the opening on the cover. It hints at bumper-mounted headlights, just like the Santa Fe.

As for specs, it's still unknown at this point. It's either Hyundai carries over the 2.5-liter CRDi or a new turbodiesel. If it's the latter, they might install the 2.0-liter mill from the Tucson diesel, or even the 2.2-liter CRDi from the Santa Fe. Launch dates are also unknown at the time of writing. However, it may debut during the first half of 2021.

Source: Worldscoop Forums