The Best Hyundai Vehicles For Every Driver

4 minute read

By Ryan Pratt

The Hyundai Motor Company has grown from a small car manufacturer in South Korea to a globally recognized brand known for quality and innovation. This growth is due to the company’s ability to deliver quality cars to every type of driver. So, which Hyundai car is right for you?

Hyundai Elantra

Do the words “compact” and “sprightly” bring a smile to your lips? If so, the Hyundai Elantra may be the ideal vehicle for you. As those descriptors imply, the Elantra is tailor-made for drivers who prioritize performance and practicality over cargo space and heft.

Are you looking for a peppy ride for daily commutes? The Elantra offers impressive fuel economy, with 42 MPG on the highway and 33 MPG in the city. 1 It doesn’t handle like a race car, or have a powertrain worthy of showing off, but it’s a reliable and safe sedan that is totally worth the price-tag.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Not everyone smiles when they hear words like “compact” and “sprightly”; some people prefer “roomy” and “solid”. Fortunately, that latter group of drivers will be thrilled with the Hyundai Santa Fe. Unlike the Elantra, this SUV caters to families who want to travel together without feeling as though they have no personal space.

Not only has Hyundai expanded the 2024 edition with an added row of seating, but each row has more legroom than previous Santa Fe models. 2 In addition, the two powertrains on offer (a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid) make it possible to make the most of city driving and off-road adventuring.

Hyundai Kona Electric

If you’re eager to do your part for the environment, then the Hyundai Kona Electric has your name written all over it. Designed to thrive in a city setting, this speedy, all-electric vehicle can be the perfect commuting car.

A full battery can last an estimated 200 miles and recharge most of its power in just 43 minutes. 3 Plus, the Kona boasts some exciting technology, with two dashboard screens that make all navigation and entertainment data visible and accessible.

Hyundai Tucson

If you’re hesitant to consider a compact SUV because it sounds slight, take a look at the Hyundai Tucson. While highly maneuverable, the Tucson boasts a surprising amount of cargo space and infotainment connectivity for its size. This versatility makes the Tucson ideal for both short commutes and epic road-trips.

Thanks to this Hyundai vehicle’s many safety features — including stability control, anti-lock brakes, and airbags coming from the front, sides, and above — it has received glowing ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 4

Hyundai Palisade

Does the Hyundai Palisade belong in the midsize SUV category, or is it better suited in the luxury SUV market? It’s honestly hard to tell. While it has all the hallmarks of a midsize SUV — with a roomy, three-row interior — the Palisade comes with premium finishes and an Ergo-motion massaging driver’s seat. 5 The whole vibe is very upscale.

If you’re looking for a ride that positively hovers over imperfections in the road, the Palisade is the SUV for you. Admittedly, this SUV’s fuel economy is not worth writing home about, but you can rely on its highly-touted safety features, which are among the best in its class.

Hyundai Venue

If you aren’t fussy about luxury and instead prioritize getting from A to B with time to spare, the Hyundai Venue is worth checking out. Featuring most of the advanced safety features and infotainment offerings of Hyundai’s pricier vehicles, the Venue fits a lot of style and reliability into a small package.

Having said that, the Venue is Hyundai’s smallest SUV — and that comes with certain limitations in terms of engine pep and interior roominess. 6 But it’ll be a tough choice to resist, especially amongst buyers who are looking in the subcompact car market. This bite-sized SUV offers big-time value!

Hyundai Accent

Alright, let’s say you’re dead-set on getting a subcompact car and you’re on a strict budget. The Hyundai Accent checks the affordability box while providing a comfy, stylish ride. In fact, the 2024 model reveals both cosmetic and performance related upgrades that are worth exploring, although it isn’t available in all markets.

What you can count on with the Accent is impressive fuel economy, offering 33 MPG in testing done by Consumer Reports. 7 Given that this is one of the least expensive sedans on the market, that kind of efficiency will go a long way with budget-minded drivers.

Hyundai Ioniq

Let’s explore one more green vehicle from Hyundai’s sprawling line-up: the Ioniq. This sleek sedan comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and 100 percent electric configurations, and should appeal to drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Plus, its throwback appearance will stand out in a crowd.

Offering rapid charging times and even quicker acceleration, the Ioniq is a smooth ride with a quiet cabin. As long as you have adequate charging capabilities at home, this car could be your gateway into electric vehicles. One drawback is that the Ioniq forgot to include wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto… unless that’s part of their retro theme.

Genesis G80

Ending this list with a bang, the Genesis G80 represents the luxurious peak of Hyundai’s powerful line-up. In fact, the flagship model led to the creation of Hyundai’s luxury vehicle division, Genesis, and became its namesake. Regardless, it’s a Hyundai creation through and through, and what a creation it is!

The heart of the Genesis G80 lies in its impossibly smooth and quiet drive. Additionally, it offers enough tech and safety features to compete with European premium brands like Bentley or Jaguar — but at a fraction of the price! 8

Explore Hyundai Vehicles For Every Driver

As you can tell by the selection and variety of vehicles available, Hyundai has no ambitions to become a luxury-only auto brand. Regardless of your income or driving preferences, there’s a Hyundai vehicle with your name on it.

The challenge is to find the sedan or SUV that speaks to you, and it might not be the model you expect! By reading up on vehicle specs and visiting dealerships, you can hone in on a Hyundai set of wheels that will satisfy your desires on the road!

Ryan Pratt

Contributor