Although Hyundai is best known for their compact cars, their SUV models are making waves these days, and for good reason. They have all the utility you could want plus plenty of comfort and entertainment features to boot. So, if you’re looking to buy a new ride, consider Hyundai SUVs.
What SUV models does Hyundai make?
- Venue: $18,750 – $22,050
- Kona: $20,400 – $28,500
- Tucson: $23,700 – $32,050
- Santa Fe: $26,275 – $37,875
- Palisade: $32,535 – $47,750
There’s a lot more to Hyundai SUVs than price. Questions you might want to ask include: What entertainment features do they come with? How many seats does each one have? Are they safe to drive? Luckily, you can learn all that and more from this guide.
Venue: $18,750 – $22,050
As the smallest of the Hyundai SUVs, the Venue still offers a whole lot of value despite its small footprint. It boasts a perfect balance of power, utility, and safety — plus it comes with tons of tech features, including a full driver-assist suite.
With a svelte 99 inch wheelbase, it’s easy to take into the busy cityscape and park wherever you find a spot. Despite that, it’ll easily accommodate up to five passengers and still have room for all your stuff.
Across its three trim levels, this SUV offers:
- Comfortable seating for five
- 121 horsepower four-cylinder engine
- Up to an EPA-estimated 33 miles per gallon
- Eight-inch color touchscreen
- Auto climate control system
When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tested the 2020 model, it received an overall four-star rating. Although side-impact results were five stars across the board, the front and rollover tests only got four stars.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), on the other hand, gave it an overall ‘Good’ score. All the crashworthiness test results were good, while the front crash prevention systems got ‘Superior’ ratings.
Venue owners celebrate how easy this little SUV is to drive, park, and even load up with gear. They find the 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space perfect for when they need to move big items. Beyond that, the 18 cubic feet of space available with the seats up is plenty big enough for all five occupants’ gear or shopping bags on every outing.
Kona: $20,400 – $28,500
As the winner of the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award, the Kona offers more than you could ever want in a sub-compact SUV. Available in both gas and electric configurations, this vehicle promises to get you to all your destinations in style.
You can get it in one of five trim levels, including the Night Edition. At that level, you get unique paint color options, semi-gloss black rims, and black accents throughout its build.
With the base trims, you get the 2.0L powerplant, while the Limited and Ultimate trims get the turbo 1.6L instead. Either way, this little SUV can easily transport up to five people around town plus everything they want to bring along.
Impressive stats you absolutely have to know include:
- Up to 175 horsepower
- Up to 195 lb.-ft. of torque
- 7-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox
- Comfortable seating for five
- LED headlights and taillights
When tested by the NHTSA, the 2020 Kona earned a five-star rating overall. In fact, it got nearly perfect scores all around. The only exception was the rollover test, which was four stars instead.
After doing their own set of crash tests on the Kona, the IIHS was so impressed, they named it one of their Top Safety Picks for 2020. An overall ‘Good’ rating was given due to its incredible performance in all the crashworthiness categories.
Owners cannot say enough good things about their Kona. They are all smitten with its stunningly good looks, relatively small footprint, and quiet, comfortable ride quality. They also like how much cargo space it has and all its high-tech features, like Smart Cruise Control.
Tucson: $23,700 – $32,050
Right in the middle of the pack is the Tucson. This compact Hyundai SUV model is just a smidge bigger and more powerful than the Kona and Venue. It comes in six trim levels, ranging from the affordable SE to the flat out luxurious Ultimate.
Each level offers its own combo of comfort and entertainment features to let you customize your ride. At the highest trim, you can get an eight-inch touchscreen, Smart Cruise Control, and a sweet panoramic sunroof.
Depending on your trim of choice, you will get either the 2.0L or 2.4L four-cylinder powerplant. Both are powerful enough to get you around town with ease, even when all five seats and the 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space are filled up.
Its other excellent features include:
- Up to 181 horsepower
- Up to 175 lb.-ft. of torque
- 61.9 cubic feet for cargo with the seats folded down
- Infinity Premium Audio system
- Android and Apple connectivity
Like the Kona, the 2020 Tucson performed almost flawlessly on all its NHTSA crash tests. It got a five-star rating overall and only missed one star on its rollover tests. The IIHS test results came in at an overall ‘Good’ rating. Only the headlights and LATCH anchors failed to earn high marks.
When it comes to owner reviews, the Tucson simply can do no wrong. Everyone loves to rave about its comfortable seating, high-tech entertainment features, and helpful driver-assist systems. They also appreciate the smooth ride and capable handling when equipped with all-wheel drive.
Santa Fe: $26,275 – $37,875
Built with families in mind, the Hyundai Santa Fe has everything you could want in a road trip machine. Comfy seats for five? Check. Good gas mileage? Check. Safety features all around? Yep, that, too.
It’s even equipped with ample entertainment features, including a panoramic sunroof that lets everyone look at the moon, stars, and clouds overhead. Smartphone connectivity makes it easy to load up your favorite podcasts, while the USB charging ports keep everyone’s devices at full battery.
There are five trims available for this model. The SE and similar trims come with the 2.4L four-cylinder powerplant. The top-of-the-line Limited 2.0T gets the turbocharged four-cylinder, which promises to put a smile on your face mile after mile.
Some things you might love include:
- Up to 235 horsepower
- Up to 260 lb.-ft. of torque
- Nine exterior paint colors
- Over a dozen optional accessories
- Leather seats for five
Although it didn’t get nearly perfect scores, like the Tucson, the 2020 Santa Fe still got an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA. With its ‘Good’ rating from the IIHS, this SUV also earned the Top Safety Pick award for 2020.
Owners are always talking about how much they adore driving the Sante Fe from place to place. Even long road trips are a blast with all its driver-assist systems helping along the way. The quiet ride, entertainment features, and comfortable seats keep everyone feeling great on all their travels.
Palisade: $32,535 – $47,750
The Palisade is the biggest Hyundai SUV model in the lineup, offering all the room you need for family and friends. Across its three rows of seating, there’s tons of head, leg, and shoulder room for all. Even the third row allows passengers to stretch out a bit and get comfy in their seats.
Like all the other models, safety is a top priority in its build. Performance doesn’t feel like a second thought either. With its 3.8L V6 engine, it can easily get up to speed and its heavy-duty suspension keeps it feeling planted every step of the way.
Some specs to keep in mind include:
- Four trim levels
- Up to 291 horsepower
- Up to 262 lb.-ft. of torque
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Dual sunroof
Despite its huge footprint, the Palisade performed just as well as the Kona on all its NHTSA crash tests. In fact, it got exactly the same scores and received a five-star rating. As with many of the other Hyundai SUVs, this model got the 2020 Top Safety Pick award and a ‘Good’ score from the IIHS.
With its excellent crash test ratings, driver assist aids, and luxurious cabin space, it’s no wonder owners love this SUV so much. They are constantly chatting up the convenience of its heads up display and the peace of mind that comes from all its driver-assist systems.
Nexo Fuel Cell: $58,735 – $62,185
If you want something a little different than the rest, set your sights on the Nexo Fuel Cell. This full-size SUV is the very first to hit the market with a hydrogen powerplant. Beyond that, it’s equipped with all of Hyundai’s newest technologies.
Although it’s only available in California right now, if it performs well, it could go nationwide. It comes with a hefty federal tax credit, free fuel for the first three years, and open HOV lane access. Even cooler is the complete lack of emissions and quick five-minute refuel times.
Other interesting specs include:
- Up to 380-mile range
- Remote Parking Assist
- Krell Premium Audio system
- 10-year battery warranty
- Hyundai SmartSense suite
The NHTSA has not yet done their crash tests on the Nexo Fuel Cell. The IIHS has, however, and they gave it an overall ‘Good’ rating. The crashworthiness test results were nothing less than phenomenal. And its front crash prevention system left little to be desired.
The Nexo Fuel Cell SUV is hitting it out of the park when it comes to owner reviews as well. They adore how reliable it is and the excellent range on a single fill-up. The ease of refueling and quiet, comfortable ride are notable as well.
Photos: Hyundai
