What is the best Hyundai car?

By Tia Harrison-North

Last updated: 17 July 2025

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.

Although many new models have come out over the years, we're focused on ones you can pick up easily, and for a bargain 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.

What are the best Hyundai cars?

• Hyundai Bayon

• Hyundai i10

• Hyundai i20

• Hyundai i30

• Hyundai IONIQ

• Hyundai KONA

• Hyundai Santa Fe

• Hyundai Tucson

The best Hyundai cars you can buy

Hyundai Bayon

The Hyundai Bayon is one of the brand’s smallest models, introduced in 2021 as a budget-friendly option for drivers who like the idea of a crossover but prefer town-friendly dimensions.

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, and cheap to run.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

This model has won various awards globally over its time on sale, including a number in the UK, but it attracts the most attention in its hot hatch form – the i30 N is one of the best quick hatchbacks you can buy.

Hyundai IONIQ

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 because 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.

Hyundai KONA

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, but you get the same attention to detail on efficiency and quality.

Hyundai Santa Fe

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, but regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants are also available.

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.

Hyundai Tucson

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.

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.

Buy the best Hyundai cars

Whichever Hyundai model you buy, you'll know you're buying into a brand that has years of experience building reliable, durable and long-lasting models.

You're also buying into a building heritage of electrified models, with mild hybrids, self-charging hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric models available across the entire range.

So if you're ready to make the leap, browse our stock of used Hyundais for sale.

Read more about Hyundai cars:

• Is Hyundai reliable?

• Which is the best Hyundai SUV?