Are Hyundais Good Cars? How To Make The Right Purchasing Decision
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Hyundai isn’t one of the older brands of vehicles on the market, so it makes sense that they don’t have quite as storied a reputation as other brands, like Ford. However, since being introduced to the U.S. market in 1967, Hyundai has earned a reputation for affordable, dependable, and good-quality vehicles.
When asked, are Hyundais good cars most experts will agree that they’re a good option for their price point and design.
Of course, being a reasonable quality vehicle isn’t, by itself, enough to mean that a Hyundai vehicle is going to be the right option for you.
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In this brand review we’ll look at what Hyundai gets right, any weaknesses their vehicles tend to have, and how they compare with other vehicles of similar type and price.
If you’re considering buying a Hyundai, you’re in the right place. Read this first and we’ll help give you the information you need to decide if Hyundai is a good match for your needs.
Reliability: Can You Count On Hyundai?
Reliability is often one of the top concerns for consumers. No one wants to buy a car that they’re going to have to replace in just a few years, and ideally, cars should run well for 10 years or longer before they start to have trouble.
Especially if you’re considering taking out a loan to get a Hyundai you want to know that your vehicle will be in good working condition when you pay off that loan.
The good news is that Hyundai tends to rate highly when it comes to reliability. Recently, the manufacturer has even been getting better ratings than competitors Toyota and Honda, even though both brands also have a reputation for reliability.
RepairPal.com rates Hyundai 4⁄5 for reliability. That might not sound great, but that rating actually makes it their 4th highest rated car brand, out of the 32 brands. Not too shabby.
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Price: How Do Hyundai Compare With Similar Vehicles In Price?
Hyundai used to be considered a budget brand. Their vehicles were the kind of cars you bought when you couldn’t afford something a little nicer and more expensive, but the performance behind these vehicles impressed owners enough to keep them coming back for more.
These days, Hyundai vehicles are still more affordable than most of their competitors, but they don’t have the budget brand reputation.
Hyundai vehicles use similar components to other brands, with some models being especially similar to Kia models under the hood, and do well in terms of performance, which makes the price an even better deal for most.
Plus, since Hyundai has a few electric models out as well, they’re also helping make electric vehicles more accessible for a wider variety of consumers.
Cost Of Hyundai Maintenance
If you’re wondering whether Hyundai are good cars, the cost of maintenance is another important part of the equation.
Even the most affordable vehicles aren’t a good option if they’re going to nickel and dime you in maintenance costs over their lifetime.
There is good news here too, though. You might have already guessed, since Hyundai’s reliability ratings are so high, but they tend to be relatively low maintenance and low-cost vehicles to maintain.
Of course, like all vehicles, if you put off the maintenance on a Hyundai you might end up with a more expensive bill later. Skipping routine maintenance often leads to damage, which can mean repair bills in addition to the necessary maintenance.
That said, Hyundai vehicles don’t have any unusual maintenance requirements, and they’ll keep running for a good long while as long as you take care of them.
The main concern is getting regular oil changes, making sure your tires are in good condition, and getting recommended maintenance done at important mileage milestones. Every model is a little different, but you should plan on having more major maintenance done every 20k-50k miles.
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Hyundai Safety: Do Hyundai Cars Protect Their Drivers And Passengers
Safety is where a lot of more budget vehicle options tend to fall short. They might be reliable, affordable, and have reasonable maintenance costs, but budget vehicles are often more dangerous than their competitors because costs have to be cut somewhere.
Thankfully, that isn’t true with Hyundai either.
Back in 2019, Hyundai had models chosen as top safety picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety across pretty much every vehicle type they manufacture. Several of their top-rated vehicles were also chosen as top safety + picks, showing that they went above and beyond the safety rating requirements to have an exceptionally safe vehicle.
Of course, not every Hyundai model meets those requirements, but enough do to give us confidence that this is overall a safe brand.
Consumers should always look up the safety ratings on any specific model they’re considering before purchasing. While Hyundai as a whole might be a reliable brand in their most recent releases, every vehicle manufacturer can come out with a vehicle that doesn’t do as well as expected, and consumer reviews are usually the first place bad ratings show up.
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The Final Verdict: Are Hyundais Good Cars?
Are Hyundai good cars? Yes! While they aren’t the right vehicle for everyone, Hyundai vehicles are generally a good option at an affordable price point. They offer a wide range of different models and vehicle types, consistently get good ratings for safety and reliability, and offer enough additional features and functions to compete with other modern vehicles.
Hyundai vehicles do fall down in a couple of areas, but they tend to excel in the most important categories. In terms of features and accessories, Hyundai might not have as many built-in features as some of their competitors.
Also, while the most recent models are more fashionable and closer to the trends in vehicle design, Hyundai didn’t previously look quite so sleek. Older models look more like budget vehicles than their more recent counterparts, but the brand may fall out of vehicle fashion in future releases.
Fortunately, between the advancements in safety and reliability, plus their investment in hybrid and electric vehicles, it looks like Hyundai is committed to being one of the better car manufacturers of the future as well as the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How reliable are Hyundai vehicles compared to other brands?
A: In the past, Hyundai vehicles were often criticized for their quality and reliability issues. However, in recent years, the South Korean carmaker turned it around and is currently among the most dependable cars on the market. RepairPal says Hyundai is the 4th most reliable car brand, next to Kia Motors.
Q: Is Hyundai the same company as Kia?
A: Hyundai Motor Group and Kia Corporation are both South Korean automobile manufacturers, and they share a business relationship where Hyundai is a major stakeholder in Kia. While they operate under the umbrella of Hyundai Motor Group, each brand maintains its own identity, design philosophy, and product lineup.
Q: Do Hyundai cars hold their value over time?
A: While Hyundai vehicles have historically faced faster depreciation than some rivals, the brand has seen a shift in perception thanks to improved quality and reliability. Like many vehicles, some Hyundai models hold their value better than others.
Q: What makes Hyundai cars appealing to buyers?
A: It’s all about value. Hyundai has made it easier for you, the budget-conscious shopper, to get quality, features, and performance without breaking the bank. With competitive pricing across its range of vehicles, Hyundai presents an attractive option for anyone looking to get great value for their money.
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