What this vehicle carries
- Passengers
- Listed at twelve persons in Pakistani specifications. In chauffeured use the honest number is seven to nine adults, because the rearmost bench and the luggage space are competing for the same volume.
- Luggage
- About six medium cases with nine aboard. Seat the full eleven or twelve and you are down to hand luggage. Folding or removing the rear bench takes it to eight or ten cases at the cost of three seats.
- Fuel
- Petrol, and this surprises people. The Pakistani Grand Starex is a 2,359–2,400cc in-line four petrol producing 173–175hp, offered as a five-speed manual (GL) and a five-speed automatic (GLX, GLS), rear-wheel drive,…
- Roads
- City and motorway work, and sealed mountain roads such as Murree and Nathia Gali. Rear-wheel drive with no low range — not a vehicle for unmetalled surfaces or jeep tracks.
Luggage is stated in cases rather than litres, because that is the figure that decides whether a party fits. If you are near the limit, tell us the number of bags rather than the number of people.
Why people choose it
The Grand Starex sits between the executive MPVs and the full-size Hiace: more comfortable and more car-like than a van, more capable of holding a real group than a seven-seater. It is a good answer for a family of eight or nine moving between cities, for a corporate group that wants something quieter than a Hiace, and for a wedding where the immediate family travels together in one vehicle. Rear-wheel drive and a long body make it a stable, unfussy motorway car. It comes with a vetted driver, and on airport journeys the driver meets you at arrivals.
What to know before you book it
Questions about this vehicle
How many passengers does the Hyundai Grand Starex seat?
It is listed at twelve persons. In chauffeured use the honest number is seven to nine once luggage is aboard. Twelve is achievable for a short transfer with hand baggage only. Book to nine and the aisle and rear space stay usable, which is what people actually want on a long day out.
How much luggage fits in a Grand Starex?
About six medium cases with nine aboard. That is a usable answer rather than a brochure one, because cases and passengers trade directly against each other in this van. If you have twelve people and twelve bags, one Starex is not the answer, and we will tell you that at the quote stage rather than on the day.
Is the Grand Starex a diesel?
Not in Pakistan. Almost everyone assumes it is, because it is a diesel in the Gulf and in Korea. The Pakistani vehicle is a 2.4 petrol. If you have travelled in an H-1 abroad and are expecting diesel pulling power on a long climb, or diesel economy, adjust that expectation before you book.
Is the Grand Starex a 4x4?
No. Rear-wheel drive, no low range. On sealed roads that is fine, including motorway work and the metalled mountain routes. It is not an off-road vehicle and not the right choice for snow, unsealed tracks or jeep sections. Tell us the route and we will say plainly whether this van or a 4x4 suits it.
Is the H-1 the same vehicle as the Grand Starex?
Yes. The same van is sold as the H-1 in some markets and the Grand Starex in others, and Pakistani listings use both names for it. If you were quoted an H-1 elsewhere and a Grand Starex here, you are comparing the same vehicle. What differs between individual cars is the seating layout, which we confirm before quoting.
Can a Grand Starex go north to Naran, Swat or Murree?
City, motorway and sealed mountain roads are its territory, so Murree, the metalled route to Naran and Swat on tarmac are all normal work. Rear-wheel drive and no low range mean anywhere the surface ends is out. For itineraries with jeep sections, unsealed valleys or winter snow, ask us for a 4x4 instead.
Is the Grand Starex good for airport transfers?
Yes, for a family or a small group with real luggage. On airport journeys we meet you at arrivals rather than leaving you to find the vehicle outside. Work from the seven to nine figure rather than the listed twelve when bags are involved, and tell us the bag count so nothing is a surprise at the kerb.
Can the Grand Starex be hired without a driver?
We quote it as a chauffeured vehicle rather than a self-drive one. Drivers are vetted, with photo and registration confirmed before they are allocated to a journey. If you need a self-drive vehicle, tell us when you enquire and we will answer in writing instead of leaving it ambiguous until the day.
iDrive publishes a vehicle CLASS, and supplies this model or a similar approved vehicle in the same class. That is how the whole trade works here; we would rather say so than imply a specific registration is reserved for you.