Hyundai is a company I feel many people tend to neglect when they think about buying a car. Whilst not quite the biggest out there, they can make some brilliant cars. More often than not, Hyundai’s cars are incredibly affordable whilst offering brilliant reliability, economic value and being some of the safest cars out there.
I just find it odd that more people don’t seem to consider a Hyundai product. Having said that, not every car the company has produced has been a winner. There have been some rotten cars to come through the system.
This list contains five of the worst Hyundai cars to have been produced. These are five cars that we think you should just simply avoid. But on top of this, we have added ten Hyundai’s that are very much worth every dollar, and you should certainly consider purchasing them. They are some of the best cars that the company has produced in recent years.
15 Avoid: 2016 Hyundai Tucson - Transmission And AC
The Hyundai Tucson has not always been a terrible car. In fact, it has mostly been pretty good. It only started to gain problems around 2015, and 2016. These were eventually traced down to the transmission and the AC which lead to over 200 complaints. There has even been the odd complaint on the current model of the Tucson.
14 Avoid: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe - Transmission Woes
The Santa Fe is one of the most well-known cars in the Hyundai lineup and it is still in production to this day. Not every model has had issues but the 2017 version was one that had too many problems for its own good. Transmission issues were rife and the whole system was pretty hesitant.
13 Avoid: 2013 Hyundai Elantra - Engine Ticks And Failures
If you are thinking about purchasing a used Hyundai, by all means go for the Elantra. But, avoid the 2013 model year of the car. It turned out to have the second most number of complaints of any Hyundai model. Bizarre ticking noises would come from the engine, and those could eventually lead to rather major engine failures.
12 Avoid: 2011 Hyundai Sonata - Engine Concerns
The 2011 Sonata is another Hyundai that has been afflicted by all sorts of problems. It is one of the worst cars Hyundai has made. Engine issues again plagued the car much like the Elantra, and over 2,700 complaints were made about the car. It cements its status as one of the worst cars the company has ever made.
11 Avoid: 2015 Hyundai Genesis - Battery And Electric Problems
The current Genesis is actually one of the best cars in the Hyundai line-up. But the 2015 edition was not such a good car. Do not get this car if you are thinking of it. Electrical and battery issues were the main cause of concerns on this car, and it never really improved before later models rolled off the production line.
10 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai Ioniq
Now we are on to some of the better cars that the company has produced. It might not be the best compact car out there, but the Ioniq is pretty damn good. Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and an electrical variant are all available. With good handling and sleek lines, the Ioniq is a very attractive proposition.
9 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai Coupe
The Hyundai coupe is a bit of a classic and is still well-loved in 2020. Also known as the Hyundai Tiburon it was in production right up until 2008, it spanned two generations and was renowned for being sporty, safe, comfortable and very attractive to look at. It even spawned special versions, the F2 and F2 evolution.
8 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai Veloster
The 2019 edition of the Veloster saw a bit of a performance boost to the model, as well as more up to date looks. In terms of compact cars, it is one of the best to drive out of those currently available, and really it's only the Honda Civic that is able to come close. 275 hp is nothing to cry about either.
7 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai Genesis
While we have explained that the 2015 Genesis is not a very good car, the current edition of the Genesis has certainly put those issues right. Genesis is actually the whole name, as it is a luxury Hyundai and it proved that luxury does not have to come from the big German car companies.
6 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent has been a pretty consistent performer throughout all of its iterations. One of the most affordable Hyundai’s out there, the 2020 model's base price is barely $14,500 dollars. That is an extremely good value for money. Five generations have spawned from when the car was launched in 1994 and it has certainly recovered from its 2015 blip.
5 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai Kona
Hyundai is a pretty good company when it comes to SUV. Not just big ones like the Santa Fe, but the smaller end of the scale. The Kona is one of these smaller SUVs. Released in 2017, it is a great car for its price and is of very high quality as well. Certainly, one to consider.
4 Worth Every Dollar: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
Whilst the 2011 Sonata was a pretty poor effort, the same can’t be said for the 2019 edition of the car. It’s a pretty respectable rival to the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Whilst perhaps not as exhilarating a drive as its rivals, it is still good and is perfect as a daily driver.
3 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 is an interesting machine. In fact, all of the i cars are pretty interesting. It is an entry-level machine and a city car and has really done a lot of good for the brand in recent years. Comfortable for short journeys and also not bad for the occasional long journey from time to time either.
2 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai i40
The Hyundai i40 is one of the biggest cars on the market that Hyundai offer. It is a direct competitor to other saloons and hatchbacks and is fantastic value for money. Comfortable and spacious, its 1.7-liter diesel engine is not the highest performer. But, it is pretty economical which is more important for daily use.
1 Worth Every Dollar: Hyundai i30
Hyundai also provides a good alternative to the family car. Don’t you want anything from Europe or Japan? Then the i30 might be right up your street. It looks brilliant and very purposeful. Plus it is incredibly economical and is perfect for cruising down the interstate. Plus it is one of the safest models that the company has on sale.
Sources: Cars Guide, Automobile Mag, NewCars, AutoGuide, Auto Evolution