The 2022 Hyundai Custo is yet another forbidden fruit that reminds us that minivans can be cooler.
Hyundai is making quite the name for itself with a bold new design language in recent times. Their offerings in the States are quite the head-turners in all respective segments. But in the far east, Hyundai has also perfected the art of making exciting minivans. MPVs have a myth around them, being boring, but Hyundai clears it out for us. A few months ago we saw the futuristic-looking Hyundai Staria which was frankly a better-looking minivan than most sedans or crossovers out there.
Sadly, it is forbidden fruit for us here in the States. Joining the list of forbidden fruits is another cool-looking minivan - the 2022 Hyundai Custo. This is a China-only offering and Hyundai has given us a sneak-peak at their newest minivan. The design language is what has been highlighted in the teaser images, and the Custo has been heavily inspired by the 2022 Tucson, especially with the front fascia.
For the peeps at China, this teaser is not really a surprise, as images of the Custo were circulating on the internet from way back in mid-2020. The Custo is smaller than the Staria and also packs a more muscular design language. The point here is that minivans are evolving and getting better in terms of looks, features, and even performance. And we have a very strong feeling that just like how crossovers rose to their prime and are enjoying the best phase yet, people would also go ga-ga over minivans pretty soon!
The 2022 Hyundai Custo is yet another forbidden fruit that reminds us that minivans can be cooler.
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2022 Hyundai Custo Is A Tucson With More Maturity
The first thing that strikes you with these teaser images is that it looks a lot relatable to the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. It sure has a lot of design cues upfront that have been inspired by Tucson. The front fascia packs the same intricate grille design that we see in Tucson. The LED headlamp is seamlessly integrated into the grille. The taillamp flaunts a connected layout that spans across the width of the minivan and has a more pronounced 'C' section on both ends.
The side profile has a sharp uplifting muscular shoulder that sweeps from the front fender and fades at the end of the second sliding door. Yes, the second row is sliding and the rails are left exposed on the outside. The Custo is positioned lower than the Staria and comes in at about a length of 194.9 inches which is similar in length to the medium-sized SUVs like the Honda Pilot or the GMC Acadia.
The 2022 Custo Will Get A Peppy Powertrain
Not much has been revealed about the 2022 Hyundai Custo's powertrain. But while Custo's images were leaked when it was showcased on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China, it was released pack a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline motor. This FWD layout unit is rated at 157 HP and will be tuned to cater to the urban jungle. It also gets a bigger 2.0-liter inline-4 rated at 236 HP. While China is very keen on luxury minivans like the Toyota Alphard or Lexus LM, Hyundai Custo is one of the fewer minivans that are targeting consumers with limited finances. Related: Here's Why The 2021 Toyota Sienna Is The Best Minivan On The Market
2022 Hyundai Custo Interior Will Be Tech-Savvy
All we have for now is a spy picture of the 2022 Hyundai Custo Interior. But it sure shows the shared elements with other Hyundai cars from China. It will get a 4-spoke steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and a vertically elongated infotainment screen. The dashboard flaunts a clean and plush layout. As for the seating, we expect the 2022 Custo to be offered with either 6- or 7-seater options.
How Would The 2022 Hyundai Custo Stack Up In The US?
The 2022 Custo is 194.9 inches long, 72.9 inches wide, and 68.2 inches tall. For reference, the 2022 Honda Odyssey is 205.2 inches long and is much wider than the Custo at 78.5 inches. This shows us how small the Custo actually is. In fact, it comes in line with mid-sized SUVs sold in the US, like the 2021 Mazda CX-9 and 2022 Kia Telluride. So, if the Custo was to ever be launched in the US, it would sprout a whole new segment of smaller and cheaper minivans with tinier powertrain options. Related: These Are The 9 Fastest Minivans In The World
Why Are Cooler Minivans Forbidden Fruit For Us?
The reason for cool-looking minivans like the Hyundai Custo or the more futuristic Hyundai Staria to be forbidden fruits for us is the mediocre demand. In the States, minivans are related to soccer moms and so are not looked upon as exciting options. And frankly, there is little to no use for a minivan if you aren't a family person. But in the East, the popularity of minivans has shot through the roof. Even luxury-centric consumers still vouch for lavish minivans for their sheer practicality and comfort. Practical indifference and little to no interest are what's stopping automakers from bringing cooler minivans to The US.
Sources: Motor1.com, Carscoops.com, Weibo.com
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Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, gamer, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.
