Which Hyundai should I buy?

Hyundai Philippines recently relaunched in the country under new management. With its relaunch comes new models that will spice up the South Korean automaker’s lineup in the country. Locally the 10 passenger vehicles are available in the Philippines with more to be added soon. While some models have been replaced others have been updated to make their respective models more competitive than ever. Buyers can choose among a wide range of models from a sedan, sports hatch, and crossover, to a proper family van. So if you’ve been planning to purchase a brand Hyundai, allow us to help you choose the perfect car that matches your taste and lifestyle.

Positioned just above the Venue, the Hyundai Creta is a subcompact crossover that comes with a wide array of features that many will enjoy. It is available in three variants and comes with a price range of between under P1 million to a little over P1.3 million. Some of its notable features include its 1.5-liter naturally aspirated with an IVT or 6-speed manual transmission, It produces 114hp and 144 Nm of torque. Other features of the crossover include a 10.25-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, a wireless charger with an air cooling system, cupholder lamps, USB ports, and an 8-inch infotainment system. 

Just like its smaller brother the Tucson, the Hyundai Santa Fe also comes with an all-new model. It comes with a wide grille and a set of dual-layer T-shaped headlights that give the crossover a more aggressive look. It also comes with a more aggressive stance along with its own unique set of bumpers for the front and back along with LED taillights at the rear. It rocks a set of 19-inch wheels which further its more muscular and aggressive stance. 

For its other features, the Santa Fe gets a power tailgate, leather seats, an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, ambient mood lighting, a console tray, a wireless charger with air cooling, and a shift-by-wire electronic gear selector just to name a few. 

Under the hood, the Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that makes 200hp and 441 Nm of torque. It sends power to the ground via an eight-speed DCT. Its sole variant is priced just over the P2.4 million mark.

Up next we have the all-new Hyundai Tucson. It comes with an all-new exterior design language that features sleek LED headlights, a new Parametric grille, and new striking body lines that embodies the brand’s more angular design. Some of its highlights include a new two-tone premium interior, a 10.25-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, ambient mood lighting, a wireless charger with air cooling, a shift-by-wire electronic gear selector, and a customized power tailgate. 

Just like before it can be had with two engine options, the first is a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that makes 154hp and 192 Nm of torque that is mated to a six-speed automatic and the other is a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that makes 184hp and 416 Nm of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. As for its price, the Tucson can be had for under P1.6 million and a little over P1.8 million for the top variant. 

If you still want a crossover but with 7 seats, then the Hyundai Palisade could be the right vehicle for you. Aside from its striking exterior and feature-packed cabin, this midsize SUV also comes with second-row captain’s chairs for that VIP experience. Its 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine produces 197 hp and 441 Nm of torque, giving the Palisade enough power to cruise on city roads and out on the open highway. Yes, it’s expensive, though that little over 3.2 million price tag does give you quite a lot for what you’re actually paying for.

Another new model to enter the local lineup is the Hyundai Staria. Dubbed as the unofficial successor to the Starex, it takes the passenger vehicle role and dials it up to 11 with its looks and feature set. It comes with a modern yet sleek design that culminates in dimensions that are both longer and taller than the Starex. It also gets LED lighting for the headlights and taillights and comes with alloy wheels for the upper models. The lower variants get steel wheels instead. Speaking of variants, the Staria is available in four models, the Cargo, GL Commuter, the GLS+, and the Premium model which happens to be all-wheel-drive. 

The minivan comes with three seat variations, seven for the Premium+ model, 11 for the GLS and Commuter variants, and finally a three-seater configuration for the Cargo model. 

The Premium variant also gets access to suede headlining, a front center console, metal pedals, ambient mood lighting, chrome door handles, and relaxation seats for the second row. It also gets smart power sliding doors, a smart power tailgate, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a dual sunroof.

Other features of the model include a 10.25-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, an 8-inch infotainment system, a shift-by-wire electronic gear selector, a wireless charger with air cooling, and USB charging ports for the front and rear. 

Powering the minivan is a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine which we suppose has the same power figures as the motor found in the Santa Fe as Hyundai has yet to reveal its official figures as of writing. It can be had with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual depending on the variant chosen. Do take note that the eight-speed found in the Premium model is an all-wheel-drive. As for its price, it is positioned above the P1.5 million market and extends to around the P3 million area.

The Hyundai Stargazer is the brand’s latest entry into the MPV segment and acts as the 5th model under the South Korean automaker’s refreshed lineup. It brings futuristic styling like its Staria counterpart and brings a host of new technologies to the table. It also sports a utilitarian interior which is spacious and has a lot of room for storage plus a powerful 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine. It also comes with an IVT which helps you with fuel efficiency by keeping the revs low. As for its pricing, the Hyundai Stargazer can be had with a starting price of a little over P1 million for the entry-level model and a bit over P1.2 for its top variant.