What is the best Hyundai car?
Hyundai offers reliable and high-quality cars – but which is the best one for you?
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Although Hyundai is a brand known for building affordable cars, it’s also synonymous with quality and reliability.
All of its cars are very well-equipped, and many get luxuries like cooled seats that you’d only normally find in cars twice the price.
Whether you’re after the smallest hatchback for running around the city or a large seven-seater, here are all the best Hyundai models.
Hyundai Bayon
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The Hyundai Bayon is one of the brand’s latest models, which was introduced in 2021 as its smallest crossover, sitting beneath the popular Kona model.
It’s best compared to a large hatchback because while it doesn’t have the off-road ability of a 4x4, it has plenty of headroom and legroom.
It’s only available with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, but it’s turbocharged and has emission-reducing mild hybrid assistance. It’s a great engine – it’s punchy, but cheap to run.
Is the Bayon the best Hyundai car?
The Bayon makes for a great option for drivers who are after something a little higher to step into, without having to go for a larger SUV.
Hyundai i10
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The popular Hyundai i10 shares many of its parts with the Kia Picanto, including the engines.
There are 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre engines that are among the cheapest to insure, plus a quicker turbocharged 1.0-litre engine in the sporty-looking N Line models.
Every version of the i10 is well-equipped, with features like a reversing camera, cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto all available on the entry-level Advance model.
Its small exterior dimensions make it good for nipping around side streets, but the reality is that adults can sit reasonably comfortably in the rear seats.
Is the i10 the smallest Hyundai?
This is the company’s smallest car, and one of the smallest you can get from any brand. It’s perfect as a first car, where it stands out among many of its key competitors thanks to its five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.
Hyundai i20
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The Hyundai i20 makes a lot of sense – this supermini (that’s the name given to cars this size, like the Ford Fiesta) ticks all the right boxes.
Whether you’re after your own runabout or a set of wheels for your growing family, the i20 is a practical car by any measure.
Most buyers opt for that same 1.0-litre petrol engine, with or without mild hybrid assistance, and it’s great, but if you’re after something with a bit of pace, there’s always the 204hp i20 N.
It’s affordable new, and even better value used.
Hyundai i20: the lowest-priced best Hyundai?
Although the i20 can be slightly more expensive than other similar-sized cars, it’s extremely well-equipped, great to drive, affordable to run, and comes from a brand that’s known for building reliable cars.
Hyundai i30
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The i30 sits in a very crowded area of the market, alongside many other family hatchbacks, but stands out for its elegant design and exceptional build quality.
It’s a comfortable car to drive, but it’s responsive and engaging when you need it to be.
Buy used and you’ll find diesels capable of more than 60mpg on a long run, but even the 1.0-litre mild hybrids could get close to 50mpg.
The interior is spacious and hits the right balance between all the modern car tech you’d want without forgoing physical buttons, which are easier to use on the go.
Best Hyundai cars in the UK: the i30
This model has won various awards globally over its time on sale, including a number in the UK.
It attracts the most attention in its hot hatch form – the i30 N is one of the best quick hatchbacks you can buy, but all versions of the i30 are seriously impressive.
Hyundai IONIQ
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The original IONIQ, which launched in 2016, was designed to take on the Toyota Prius – a car that had previously dominated the green car market.
It was available in regular hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric forms until the car manufacturer ended production in 2022.
Despite 60mpg in the regular hybrid being very easily achievable, the IONIQ is one of the more fun hybrids to drive.
It uses a smooth-shifting dual-clutch automatic gearbox rather than the noisy CVT that many other hybrids use.
A 2019 update added even more technology, plus the electric model got a larger battery that meant a range of up to around 190 miles – this is the one to go for if you’re after the electric variant.
Is the IONIQ the best fastest Hyundai?
The IONIQ models aren’t necessarily the quickest on paper, but the electric model feels quick thanks to the instant response of the electric motor.
The company’s later cars, including the IONIQ 5, are quicker.
Hyundai Kona
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The Kona is the company’s most versatile crossover because you can find petrol, mild hybrid, regular hybrid and even electric versions, plus a sporty N variant.
The electric version especially is worth considering, because its smallest battery is larger than the IONIQ’s larger battery, at 39kWh.
It’s also available with a large 64kWh pack, which means a range of around 300 miles.
Compared with some other crossovers, it looks a lot more modern with a blend of bold contours and a large grille.
The 2023-onward version has an even more eye-catching design.
Why is the Kona one of the top Hyundai cars?
The Kona has proven extremely popular for Hyundai because it looks great, it’s very safe, it’s spacious and versatile, and it’s available with almost any imaginable fuel type.
Hyundai Santa Fe
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If you’re after a capable seven-seater SUV, then shortlisting the Santa Fe is a very sensible decision.
Most buyers will opt for the cheaper 2.2-litre diesel because it consistently delivers reasonable fuel economy figures.
Regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants are also available, but they’re not as efficient as an IONIQ hybrid because they’re a lot bigger – and heavier.
Because it’s Hyundai’s flagship car, you can expect all the best in-car tech and kit.
With the rearmost seats folded, it has an impressive 571-litre boot. With them in place, adults will still be able to sit comfortably for short trips.
What makes the Santa Fe one of the best Hyundai models?
The choice for seven-seaters is pretty limited, and many are people carriers or vans.
The Santa Fe is one of the best-looking seven-seater SUVs that retains some style. It also offers a taste of luxury without the luxury price tag.
Hyundai Tucson
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Mid-size SUVs continue to be some of Britain’s most popular models, and the Tucson regularly tops the sales charts – it ended 2022 in the top 10 list.
The most eye-catching part of its striking design is the way its grille blends into its headlights and daytime running lights, making it one of the most unique-looking SUVs on the roads.
All engines are 1.6-litre units, but you’ll find turbocharged, mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants.
The hybrids are pretty quick, too, despite high mpg figures.
Is the Tucson the most reliable top Hyundai car?
Hyundai’s cars are often regarded as some of the most reliable, and the Tucson is no different.
Although it looks a lot different to the previous generation, it uses the same tried-and-tested engines as many other Hyundai cars.
The Tucson is also built using the same platform as the Kia Sportage, which has a seven-year warranty, further adding to its appeal as a reliable car.
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