Feeling "priceless" in the Hyundai Grand Starex Limousine

MANILA, Philippines - Usually when we say “limo,” we refer to a stretch sedan. But if you think about it, a limo is all about riding in the lap of luxury with as much stretch-out space as possible – and trying to look like a famous person while you’re at it. In this regard, Hyundai’s new P2.698 million Grand Starex Limousine should be the new darling of celebs and celeb-wannabes alike.

One look at it and you’ll know why. For one thing, it’s huuuge. As if the Grand Starex isn’t one big van already, a foot-high fiberglass bubble top adds a lot of visual mass that’s made even more massive thanks to low-to-the-ground stepboards and front spoiler. Then there’s the blinged-up 17-inch chrome wheels. While my test unit wasn’t tinted, pull-down blinds for the side and rear windows guaranteed a lot of dropped jaws and head-turning – the masses probably wondering who the VIP inside is. You won’t need wang-wangs to part traffic with this baby.

Of course, the inside of any limo is of vastly more importance to the people it will be ferrying. And here, the Grand Starex Limo puts even the longest stretch limos to shame. I mean, how many adults can stand inside a stretch Cadillac? An average Filipino male can stand inside this van. It even has overhead compartments just like in a plane!

The Grand Starex Limo sits nine passengers in a 3+3+3 configuration on plush pleated leather seats. The first two rows have captain’s chairs and middle seat backrests that can be folded forward to turn the middle seat into a tray. The third row is a standard bench seat that folds flat with the swiveling second-row seats to form an instant bed. All seats can be slid fore and aft to accommodate any passenger size. However, the rearmost bench, when slid fully backwards, leaves precious little cargo space behind it. Most Grand Starexes have four rows of seats, so with the Limo’s three rows, stretch-out space, especially for the second and third rows, is huge indeed.

Needless to say there are lots of cupholders. The front doors even have two-tiered compartments. There are also two glove boxes, a lighter, and auxiliary 12V outlet. The original six ceiling-mounted aircon vents (with separate controls) and four overhead grab handles for the rear passengers are left untouched.

Yet another nice touch is the DVD Dolby Digital 5.1 A/V system with a 6.5-inch AVT LCD touch-screen monitor/head unit/nav system that even has USB and memory card slots. Of course, the piece de resistance is the jaw-dropping 21-inch LCD TV facing the rear passengers. It’s so big that the people two cars behind you can still watch. Six overhead speakers make sure that sound is well-distributed for that cinematic effect. There are even mood lights and semi-mirrored surfaces on the ceiling for that Hollywood glitz effect.

So what’s missing? A 3D TV and a Blu-ray player would be nice (if the former would fit). Or at least an airconditioned chiller for drinks. And while you’re at it, perhaps an overhead rack for the champagne glasses. It’s a limo, right?

Surprisingly, driving the Grand Starex Limo is quite easy, thanks to car-like controls, commendable visibility, and a backup sensor that assists you when reversing. Power (170 ps/40k kg-m) from the 2.5-liter CRDi motor is just enough for the big van. This Limo will overtake a speeding bus on a highway but you really have to put your foot on it. Its automatic transmission has a manumatic mode so you can maximize engine power and torque like you can with a stickshift.

Ride quality is supple, even on rough roads. It’s not as responsive as a car or even a minivan, but it handles decently nonetheless. Grand Starexes ride on struts with coil springs in front and a 5-link rigid axle with coil springs at the rear. Braking, thanks to four-wheel discs (with ABS and EBD), is strong. The generously sized tires (215/65R-17) and a locking differential deserve credit, too, for the decent driving dynamics. Its also has Traction Control and Electronic Stability Program.

The Good

Headroom (and legroom) galore

Ultra-comfortable seats

Killer A/V entertainment system

Surprisingly easy to maneuver

Much better fuel economy compared to V8-powered bubble-top American vans

Exterior styling grants you instant celebrity status

The Bad

High roof makes driving through low-ceilinged parking structures nerve-wracking

Low stepboards and front spoiler scrape on steep ramps and driveways

Added weight and poorer aerodynamics blunt acceleration, handling, and top speed

The Verdict

A comparatively attainable “limo” that redefines the genre