Hyundai is one of the most popular car brands. They have a reputation for reliable, affordable cars that are packed with features. However, like every car brand, there are Hyundai cons as well as there are pros. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons
Hyundai Pros
1. They’re Affordable
Hyundai is a great car brand that’s known for offering good value for money. It’s a great choice for those who want to buy a new car on a budget.
Hyundai cars are well suited to drivers looking for something affordable and reliable. This makes them ideal for those who need dependable transportation without breaking the bank.
You’ll be able to get behind the wheel of an affordable Hyundai with low monthly payments or even lease options that allow you to drive off in an amazing new car without spending too much money upfront.
2. They Have Lots of Features
Hyundai cars offer more features than some other cars. The Sonata and Elantra have many safety features, such as blind-spot detection, rearview cameras, and lane departure warning systems. Technology-related features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on select models.
The luxury sedan Genesis G90 has more comfort-oriented amenities like massaging seats and adjustable steering wheels with heating elements. It also offers convenient features such as a power trunk opener and keyless entry system that allows you to unlock your vehicle by waving at it up to 30 feet away.
3. Great Warranty
Hyundai is well known for its superior warranty coverage. All Hyundai models come with a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty that covers the engine, the transmission, and the drive train. If something goes wrong, it’s covered by Hyundai’s limited powertrain warranty.
In addition to this standard coverage, each model has additional benefits depending on which model you choose:
- The Sonata offers a 7-year/100,000-mile Platinum Coverage plan (applicable only in the U.S.) that includes lifetime free scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for any period during which you own the vehicle.
- The Elantra GT comes standard with an eight-year/80,000-mile transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty and five year/60 000 mile powertrain warranty (applicable only in Canada).
4. High Resale Value
Hyundai is a great car brand. It’s one of the best choices for first-time car buyers, families, and commuters. You can count on a Hyundai to be reliable and affordable.
For example, the Elantra has a 5-year resale value of $19,799. That makes it easy to recoup your investment if you decide to sell your vehicle early. Your budget will be safe in the future as well because Hyundai has long warranties that can help keep costs down and provide peace of mind when buying a new vehicle vs. used models from other brands (which are often more expensive).
Read: Hyundai Vs Toyota Reliability
Hyundai Cons
Regarding features, most customers report being satisfied with the options available in their car. However, some say that certain features are missing from their model, cruise control, automatic climate control, and satellite radio. But these can be added by paying extra for them at purchase or through an upgrade package later on (for example: “Hyundai offers an upgrade package which includes satellite radio”). Hyundai’s common cons are the following:
1. Inconsistent Interior Materials
If you’re looking for a vehicle that has a well-made interior, the Hyundai Sonata is not it. While it’s debatable whether or not the plastic in the cabin is of low quality, one thing is sure: it isn’t consistent.
Some parts seem cheap and others expensive. The seats are comfortable enough and have plenty of adjustability options, but overall, we would have liked to see more quality materials used throughout the cabin.
Likewise, when you look at how Hyundai treats its exterior designs compared with how they treat its interiors (and vice versa), you get an inconsistent experience that doesn’t inspire confidence in either category.
2. Not a Prestigious Brand
The biggest issue with Hyundai is that it isn’t an especially prestigious brand like Audi or BMW. So if you’re looking for people to notice you driving around town in your new car, this may not be the right choice (but there are other ways to make an impression).
Also, it’s not a luxury brand. It’s not even a sports car or performance car brand, despite its Sonata and Veloster models. And it certainly isn’t high-end, nor does it cater especially to the rich and famous, or even the elite.
Of course, Hyundai is better known for its value propositions than any of these things: safety ratings that beat competitors in many categories (and often beat their own), reliable engines and transmissions that rarely break down at all, low prices (usually lower than other cars in its class), etcetera. These are all practical reasons someone might choose to buy an Elantra over another car, but they’re also very boring reasons.
If you look up “exciting” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of an Elantra right next to it, along with some other boring stuff like “boring” and “dull.”
3. Not Great for a Long Road Trip
Hyundai vehicles aren’t great for long road trips. While some of their models have relatively large cargo spaces, most of them don’t. If you’re traveling with multiple people or a lot of stuff, you might be better off looking at other brands offering more room.
Additionally, the legroom in most Hyundai cars is not ideal. There’s not much space between the seat and the dashboard, which can make it hard to stretch out after sitting down for a while.
However, this may depend on your height: if you’re tall enough to sit up straight without bending over or leaning forward too much when driving, you’ll probably feel comfortable in an average-sized car like this.
Read: Hyundai Elantra Won’t Start
FAQs
Is Hyundai Good Quality?
Hyundai is generally known for producing vehicles of good quality. Over the past decade, there have been significant improvements in the design, reliability, and performance of its vehicles, and the company has been recognized with numerous awards for quality and customer satisfaction.
In addition, Hyundai offers a comprehensive warranty package that includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty. This indicates that the company has confidence in the quality of its products.
Which Hyundai is Most Reliable?
According to J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the most reliable Hyundai model is the Hyundai Tucson. It earned the top spot in the Small SUV category and received a score of 136 problems per 100 vehicles.
What Hyundai Models Are Being Recalled?
In 2021, Hyundai recalled over 390,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potential engine problem that could cause a fire. The affected models include the 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 2011-2014 Sonata, and 2013-2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
In 2020, Hyundai recalled over 170,000 vehicles due to a potential defect in the fuel pump. The affected models include the 2015-2016 Hyundai Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid.
In 2019, Hyundai recalled over 430,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potential problem with the anti-lock brake system. The affected models include the 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 2011-2014 Sonata, and 2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Are Hyundai and Kia the Same?
Hyundai and Kia are two different automobile manufacturers. However, they’re closely related. Hyundai Motor Group is the parent company of both brands, which means they share resources and technologies.
In fact, Hyundai owns a controlling stake in Kia, and the two companies have collaborated on several vehicle projects. While they share some design elements and engineering, each brand has its own distinct lineup of cars and SUVs.
Conclusion
A Hyundai is not a luxury vehicle, but it’s not meant to be. The brand offers a wide range of cars at affordable prices and with plenty of features. It’s also known for having one of the best warranties in the industry, which means you won’t have to worry about your car breaking down or needing repairs soon.