Which is the best Hyundai SUV?
Hyundai’s SUVs are some of the most popular cars on sale today, but what makes each one different?
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SUVs are an incredibly popular style of car thanks to their raised ride height and larger dimensions, which often translate to a better view of the road and more interior and boot space.
Hyundai was among the first car brands to capitalise on the popular shape and has been building SUVs for more than two decades, so there are plenty of models to choose from.
The brand also has a lot of appeal on the used car market thanks to its admirable five-year/100,000-mile warranty – many other cars come with a three-year warranty.
Understanding Hyundai’s SUVs is a relatively simple process, but with a growing list of jacked-up cars available to buy and multiple versions of each, the choice can be overwhelming. We’ve rounded up all the Hyundai SUVs you need to know about below.
What is the best Hyundai SUV to buy?
While other manufacturers have started offering slightly different versions of their SUVs, including performance models and ones with sloping coupé-like roofs, Hyundai’s lineup is pretty simple.
This makes picking the best Hyundai SUV very easy – all you need to do is choose which size is best for your needs.
Are Hyundai SUVs reliable?
Hyundai regularly ranks highly for its reliability and solid build quality, which makes all of its cars popular buys – including its reliable SUVs.
Safety is impressive across the range, too, with all but the smallest Bayon being awarded a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP. The Bayon didn’t fail to impress, though, achieving four stars.
Hyundai Bayon
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The Hyundai Bayon is the South Korean manufacturer’s smallest SUV model, and it’s also its newest, which went on sale in 2021.
It looks like a regular hatchback and actually shares many mechanical parts with the Hyundai i20, but because it has a slightly higher ride height, Hyundai calls it a crossover.
All this means is that it’s easier to get in and out of, so don’t expect any off-roading capabilities or four-wheel drive.
You’ll only find it available with a 1.0-litre engine, but it’s available with either 100hp or 120hp. You can also get manual or smooth-shifting automatic versions.
Whichever you go for, expect mild hybrid assistance for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions for cheaper day-to-day motoring.
Hyundai Kona
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The Kona is slightly larger than the Bayon, but looks much more like an SUV thanks to its rugged styling and boxy shape.
Many buyers opt for the 1.0-litre petrol engine, which has been available with and without mild hybrid power throughout its time on sale. This is the same engine as you’ll find in the Bayon, and many other Hyundai cars.
There’s also a high-performance Kona N, which uses a 280hp 2.0-litre petrol engine to get 0-62mph done in 5.5 seconds.
Also available are a hybrid model, capable of a few miles of electric-only motoring around town, and a pair of electric models, with the longer-range version managing up to 300 miles from a full charge.
Hyundai released a second-generation model in 2023, and while it looks very different, it remains available with petrol, hybrid and electric power options.
Hyundai Tucson
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If you’re looking for a Tucson on cinch, you’ll have the pick of two generations. Both are incredibly practical and well-built family cars, but their styling sets them apart.
Earlier models are more modest, but they still outshine many competitor SUVs. The boot, for example, is larger than what you’ll find in the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar. Newer 2021-onwards models have an even larger boot.
If you’re looking at the 2015-2020 model, you can choose from a handful of 1.6-litre petrols, a 1.7-litre diesel designed to give you the best mpg figures, or a 2.0-litre diesel that’s better suited to towing.
The latest generation uses 1.6-litre petrol engines, either in mild hybrid, regular hybrid, or plug-in hybrid forms, but there are no diesels to pick from.
Depending on which trim level you buy, you can expect some real luxuries like a large panoramic glass roof, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and an electrically-operated boot.
It’s worth noting that the version built before 2015 was called the Hyundai ix35. It’s considered a different car on paper, but the Tucson directly replaced it.
Hyundai Santa Fe
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Like the Tucson, if you’re searching cinch for used cars, you’ll have two generations of Santa Fe to pick from.
The earlier model, introduced in 2012, doesn’t look especially exciting, but that’s because it packs loads of practical features under the surface like a huge boot and car tech for up to seven occupants.
The rearmost seats are best suited for children, but they are slightly more spacious than what you would find in a smaller MPV-style seven-seater like the Volkswagen Touran and even some other seven-seater SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
It’s only available with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, but this means it’s good for towing, off-roading and achieving reasonable fuel economy (for a car of this size).
A newer model was introduced in 2018 that looks much smarter, but we think it’s worth spending a little extra on one that was built after the 2020 update because it has a much slicker interior.
This update also brought hybrid power to the Santa Fe for the first time – expect the same 1.6-litre hybrid and plug-in hybrid options as the Tucson.
Hyundai revealed yet another generation in 2023 that looks much more boxy. While the extreme design won’t appeal to everyone, it’ll likely mean better interior and boot space.
Specifications for UK models are expected to be confirmed closer to when they go on sale in the first half of 2024, but we expect it to be available with hybrid power options.