Hyundai Leads U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best Cars for Teens Awards

 

• U.S. News & World Report honors Hyundai with the highest number of awards of any automaker
• Multiple hybrid models recognized across both new- and used-car categories
• Hyundai SUVs and sedans net seven total awards
• Hyundai’s third year in a row as U.S. News’ most-honored automaker for teens

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 29, 2024 – For the third year in a row, Hyundai is being honored with the most category wins in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Cars for Teens awards. Four new Hyundai models are named, in addition to three previous-model-year Hyundai nameplates in used-car categories. This recognition highlights Hyundai’s ongoing commitment to providing safe, attainable and feature-rich options for young drivers.

The 2024 Best New Cars for Teens

2024 Hyundai Elantra	Best Car for Teens $20K to $25K
2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid	Best Car for Teens $25K to $30K
2024 Hyundai Tucson	Best SUV for Teens $25K to $30K
2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid	Best SUV for Teens $30K to $35K

The 2024 Best Used Cars for Teens

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid	Best Used Small Car for Teens
2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid	Best Used Midsize Car for Teens
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe	Best Used Midsize SUV for Teens

Every Hyundai model recognized by the Best New Cars for Teens awards is equipped with state-of-the-art advanced safety features, including forward collision and lane-departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Additionally, select models offer teen driver controls and a smartphone app that allow parents to monitor their children’s driving behavior, ensuring a safer driving experience for young motorists.

To be named one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best New Cars for Teens, a vehicle must possess the best combination of predicted reliability ratings, crash test scores, available advanced driver assistance features and top critics’ recommendations in its segment. To be named a Best Used Car for Teens, a vehicle must be from the 2019 through 2021 model years and deliver the best combination of dependability and safety ratings, low ownership costs, positive reviews from critics when the vehicles were new, and available tech that can prevent or lessen the severity of crashes.

“Hyundai's dominating performance in our Best Cars for Teens awards once again demonstrates that it’s a brand that cares deeply about building great cars and SUVs for everyone in the family,” said John Vincent, senior editor, U.S. News & World Report. “Hyundai’s vehicles are not only at the pinnacle of safety, but they also provide a low cost of driving as they age, so teen drivers can afford to spend time behind the wheel. While safety technology, crash test scores and warranty coverage might not be the sexiest vehicle features, they’re critically important for any vehicle you want your teen to drive. With these seven awards, Hyundai shows that they’re not only building great cars for today, but also for the moment when you hand the keys over to your kids.”

“Leading U.S. News’ Best Cars for Teens awards reinforces Hyundai’s dedication to producing dependable, safe, and innovative vehicles,” said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. “Whether shopping for a new or used vehicle, as families consider the best options for their teen drivers, Hyundai remains the top choice, offering peace of mind and exceptional safety.”

In March, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and Tucson SUVs were named to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Cars for Families” list.

2024 Hyundai Sonata Named Best Midsize Vehicle at Texas Auto Writers Association's Annual Auto Roundup

 DECATUR, Texas, May 22, 2024 – The 2024 Hyundai Sonata has been named the best midsize vehicle at the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) annual Auto Roundup held on April 23-24, 2024. The TAWA Auto Roundup is a significant event in the automotive industry, bringing together top automotive journalists from across Texas to evaluate the latest models based on criteria such as performance, value, safety, and overall appeal.

This award recognizes the 2024 Hyundai Sonata for its exceptional design, advanced technology, superior performance, and outstanding value. Competing against a strong field of contenders, the Sonata impressed the TAWA judges with its innovative features, stylish aesthetics, and commitment to delivering an exceptional driving experience.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the Texas Auto Writers Association,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America.  “The 2024 Hyundai Sonata embodies our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

“The Hyundai Sonata impressed our judges with its attention to detail throughout, like the color-matched switchgear for the windows and door locks as well as the built-in sunshades in the rear windows, said Cory Fourniquet, president, Texas Auto Writers Association. “Even though it sells in a segment that is dominated by a couple of heavy hitters, Hyundai does not shy away from the mid-size sedan market like other automakers who are discontinuing their sedans. It truly is wonderful to see that Hyundai is keeping competition alive in the segment. Not only that, but it beat out the newly unveiled 2025 Toyota Camry for this title."

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata stands out with its dynamic new design language, enhanced safety features, and a suite of advanced technologies. Featuring a bold and aerodynamic profile, the Sonata’s design incorporates a new front fascia with a cascading grille, sleek LED headlights, and sharp character lines that convey a sense of motion even when standing still. With a choice of powerful and efficient engines, including a hybrid option, the Sonata delivers both spirited performance and excellent fuel economy, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of drivers.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit http://www.hileyhyundai.com/

Hyundai SANTA FE Takes Home Red Dot Design Award

 Hyundai Motor Company today reaffirmed its global design leadership by winning a prestigious 2024 Red Dot Award for the SANTA FE in the Product Design: Cars and Motorcycles category.

By winning one of the world’s top three design awards, Hyundai Motor demonstrates the excellence of its customer-centric, lifestyle-driven design.

“We feel a tremendous sense of honor to receive acknowledgment from the Red Dot Design Awards for these significant vehicles and innovations,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design. “This recognition serves as a testament to the exceptional dedication exhibited by our team of visionary designers, who poured their unwavering passion and commitment into this project, alongside our collaborative engineers at the R&D center. It highlights the remarkable competitiveness of Hyundai’s design identity within the global market.”

With its ‘Open for More’ design concept, the fifth-generation SANTA FE midsize SUV accommodates outdoor pursuits by offering a class-leading, terrace-like living space at the rear made possible by its extended wheelbase and enlarged tailgate opening. This longer wheelbase also facilitates enhanced third-row seating, ensuring a comfortable ride.

The all-new SANTA FE features a boxy shape and distinctive silhouette derived from its long wheelbase and wide tailgate area. The front of the vehicle creates a grandeur with its high hood, H-shaped headlamps and bold fenders. The H-shaped design elements reinterpret Hyundai’s ‘H’ emblem. The lengthened wheelbase accommodates a bold roofline, powerful volume around the fenders, sharply defined wheel arches, shortened front overhang and 21-inch wheels. The rear end is balanced and simplified with H-shaped taillights.

The interior offers generous living space and a terrace-like feel when the tailgate is open. The foldable second- and third-row seats provide class-leading interior space. The refined interior emphasizes horizontal and vertical lines with an H-motif design. High-tech features include a Panoramic Curved Display and dual wireless charging. Sustainable materials are incorporated, including recycled plastic and eco-friendly leatherette. The colors of the interior and exterior are inspired by natural light, bringing inspiration and vitality to everyday life and adventures.

Hyundai Motor also won a Red Dot Award in the Product Design: Outdoor and Camping Equipment category with its Multi-Lantern. This versatile product combines two features to cater to different user needs. It functions as a portable flashlight for outdoor activities and can also transform into a warm color mood light when used with a translucent light diffuser.

The Multi-Lantern reflects the company’s aim to create products that users will cherish for a long time, incorporating familiar materials as design motifs to provide a fresh, updated look. For the Multi-Lantern, the designers used the ‘Horongbul,’ a Korean traditional light, as a motif, which visually and symbolically conveys a sense of stability and warmth to users through its shape and visual elements.

The Multi-Lantern has an intuitive, user-friendly interface that prioritizes convenience and usability. Its operation is practically effortless, with no complicated settings, just relying on a single button. Its practical features include USB C-type charging and wireless charging. When fully charged, it can provide a maximum brightness for up to five hours and a minimum brightness for up to 35 hours.

To ensure durability and versatility, the Multi-Lantern has been certified as dustproof and waterproof with an IP65 rating. This certification guarantees that the product can withstand harsh external environments and inclement weather conditions without any issues.

Hosted by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, the Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. The award breaks down into three different disciplines — Product Design, Brand & Communication Design and Design Concept — to better appraise the diversity in the field of design. The Red Dot Award: Design Concept invites designers, design studios, companies, and universities to challenge the status quo and present their most exciting design concepts and prototypes to an international panel of design experts. For more information about Red Dot, please visit https://www.red-dot.org/

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Named Best Electric Vehicle of 2024 by Cars.com

 Hyundai’s award-winning IONIQ 5[1]electric SUV was named Best Electric Vehicle of 2024 by Cars.com for a second year in a row, surpassing all 2024 EVs tested by Cars.com’s editorial team of expert car reviewers. The IONIQ 5 continues to outpace rivals with its fast-charging ability, vast interior space, eye-catching design and advanced technology.

“Being awarded Best Electric Vehicle by Cars.com for a second year in a row is further recognition of IONIQ 5’s enduring excellence,” said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. “This accomplishment both reflects and further inspires our company’s commitment to electrification. We’re particularly proud that the IONIQ 5’s long list of virtues continues to make it the leader in a very competitive and rapidly changing EV environment.”

Cars.com is the No. 1 most-recognized automotive marketplace visited by nearly 30 million in-market consumers each month. Launched in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Cars.com empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. Cars.com is the flagship offering from Cars Commerce, an audience-driven technology company empowering automotive that simplifies everything about buying and selling cars. Learn more at www.carscommerce.inc.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Kona Electric Named 2024 Vincentric Best Value™ in America

 Hyundai’s all-new 2024 Kona Electric has today been named the Vincentric Best Value in America™ winner in the Subcompact SUV segment. Vincentric Best Value awards are determined using a statistical analysis model that incorporates the current market price and total cost of ownership of all 2024 model year vehicles. As part of the awards determination process, Vincentric also identified the 2024 Hyundai Venue as having the lowest total cost of ownership in the Subcompact SUV class.  

“The all-new Kona Electric is larger and more refined than its predecessor, incorporating advanced features like battery preconditioning, Digital Key 2 Touch and available Vehicle-to-Load bidirectional charging capability,” said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. “As economic uncertainty continues to be a factor in today’s marketplace, we recognize the importance of providing attainable vehicles that go beyond merely meeting customers’ needs to deliver surprise-and-delight ownership experiences.”

“The Hyundai Kona Electric had a strong performance in the 2024 Vincentric Best Value in America Awards,” said David Wurster, president, Vincentric. “It finished with the lowest maintenance and operating costs in its class, as well as the lowest fuel cost of all Subcompact SUVs. These achievements helped the Kona Electric outperform 15 competitor models and take home the win."

Once per year, Vincentric analyzes vehicles at the model level to determine the Vincentric Best Value in America™ awards and identify “Best in Class” models in each Vincentric market segment. In the model-level analysis, results are compiled using 9 different scenarios, based upon combinations of annual driving mileage (10,000, 15,000, and 20,000 miles) and driving experience (3 or fewer years, 4-6 years, and over 6 years).

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit http://www.hileyhyundai.com/.

Hyundai Receives Seven 2024 Car and Driver Editors' Choice Awards

  Hyundai received seven Editors’ Choice Awards from Car and Driver. These awards are designed to help in-market buyers narrow down their shopping lists. They not only identify the ‘best of the best’ in 36 specific vehicle categories, they also recognize products that offer tremendous versatility and a rewarding driving experience. In short, they’re the models that Car and Driver’s editors are proud to recommend not just to their readers, but to their friends and families.

• Hyundai IONIQ 5 | Electric SUV
• Hyundai IONIQ 6 | Electric Car
• Hyundai Elantra N | Sport Compact Car
• Hyundai Kona | Subcompact SUV
• Hyundai Palisade | Mid-Size SUV
• Hyundai Santa Cruz | Compact Pickup Truck
• Hyundai Sonata | Family Sedan

“Receiving seven Editors’ Choice awards by Car and Driver further exemplifies Hyundai’s commitment to providing the very best products for our customers,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. “We are deeply gratified to receive such prestigious accolades by Car and Driver, one of the most recognized experts in automotive guidance. Awards like this motivate us to continually pursue excellence in driving dynamics, engineering, and cutting-edge technology.”

“With nearly 500 models on the market today, it can be overwhelming for buyers to know where to begin when looking to choose the right vehicle,” said Car and Driver Editor-in-Chief Tony Quiroga. “The Editors’ Choice list is a great place to start the search for that perfect ride.”

About Car and Driver
Founded in 1955, Car and Driver is the definitive voice for car enthusiasts and the trusted guide for in-market car shoppers. With an online audience of 15 million unique visitors per month (ComScore) and an award-winning print magazine, Car and Driver is dedicated to delivering expert content and leading-edge insights on all things related to new, used, and pre-owned vehicles. With the most comprehensive vehicle testing, research, and reviews in the automotive category, Car and Driver provides the most trusted car-shopping experience for consumers and deep engagement for auto manufacturers and dealers. Follow Car and Driver on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit http://www.hileyhyundai.com/.

Hyundai's 2024 Elantra and Tucson Awarded TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

 Hyundai’s 2024 Elantra and Tucson have each received TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the organization’s top honor. These vehicles are being recognized for meeting the IIHS’ newest and most-stringent crash-worthiness evaluations and for their front-crash prevention systems which are designed to protect pedestrians both during the day and at night. This latest accomplishment reinforces Hyundai’s commitment to meeting the non-profit organization’s more-advanced driver and pedestrian safety requirements.

“This is great news for our recently refreshed Elantra sedan and Tucson compact SUV, two of our highest-volumes models,” said Brian Latouf, global chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor Company. “We made it a priority to improve our vehicles’ safety engineering to meet the more-stringent TSP+ testing requirements recently instituted by IIHS. We are extremely proud that Hyundai now holds five TSP+ (2023 Palisade, 2023 IONIQ 6, 2024 Tucson, Elantra and IONIQ 5) and one TSP (2023 Sonata/Sonata HEV) for the 2023 IIHS vehicle ratings.”

To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+ in 2023, a vehicle must earn “Good” ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, original moderate overlap front and updated side tests. “Acceptable” or “Good” headlights must be standard across all trims and a front-crash prevention system that earns “Advanced” or “Superior” ratings in both daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations must be available.

According to IIHS, “the Elantra and Tucson both come with a standard front crash prevention system that earns each Superior ratings in the daytime pedestrian tests, and an Advanced rating in the nighttime evaluation for Tucson and Superior rating for Elantra.”   

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America focuses on ‘Progress for Humanity’ and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit http://www.hileyhyundai.com/