Our autos picks discover greater than 50 cars, trucks and vans we recommend, from a number of automakers and for reasons that include the worth they provide. But is there a single brand that stands out for delivering probably the most for the cash?
Actually, there’s. In Money’s first such award, we’re naming Hyundai as our 2025 Best Brand For The Money. The Korean automaker provides great overall value, including offering a class-leading warranty that’s especially reassuring to buyers – including those stepping for the primary time into the emerging technologies utilized in EVs and hybrids.
Hyundai’s supremacy shows in our lists of picks. The corporate claimed awards in 8 of our 11 categories. It wasn’t considered for the remaining categories because Hyundai doesn’t make the vehicle types covered in those lists – minivans, sports cars and luxury vehicles.
The corporate has particular strength in terms of vehicles that run on electrical power. EVs captured the Best Overall award for each of our electric vehicle categories: Hyundai Ioniq 6 was named within the Best Reasonably priced Electric Cars and Hyundai Ioniq 5 got the nod in Best Reasonably priced Electric SUVs. Plus, it has a 3-row EV within the works: the Hyundai Ioniq 9 expected to launch in early 2025.
What made Hyundai stand out
Each of the Hyundai models we selected (below) consistently provide excellent value for the cash, with a number of standard safety features and stellar fuel economy. You’ll also save on repair costs, as Hyundai vehicles are covered by the manufacturer’s standout warranty, which provides five-year/60,000-mile limited coverage and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Hyundais are also relatively reliable, in response to the newest Consumer Reports evaluation. The automaker finished eleventh out of 30 brands evaluated within the testing organization’s reliability rating.
The corporate’s cars aren’t without their weaker points. Most pointedly, Hyundais are inclined to feature lackluster engines that produce an unexciting ride. But in case you’re in search of comfort, reliability and value, a Hyundai may provide you with probably the most to your money.
Here’s a full list of the person Hyundais we’ve called out on this yr’s picks, and the particular reason we did so:
Best Small Cars: Best for Value, Hyundai Elantra
Best Midsize Cars: Best for Safety, Hyundai Sonata
Best Small SUVs: Best for Warranty, Hyundai Tucson
Best Midsize SUVs: Best for Cargo Space, Hyundai Santa Fe
Best Large SUVs: Best for Warranty, Hyundai Palisade
Best Pickup Trucks: Best for Warranty, Hyundai Santa Cruz
Best Electric Cars: Best Overall, Hyundai Ioniq 6
Best Electric SUVs: Best Overall, Hyundai Ioniq 5
Runner-up: Kia, and the way Hyundai compares with it
Hyundai’s corporate cousin Kia comes near its member of the family’s track record. It, too, provides excellent value for the cash, through vehicles that share many attributes with our greatest brand. Kia earned picks in seven of our categories.
Kia offers the identical warranty coverage and customarily the identical performance, at a comparable starting price, to its Hyundai counterparts, together with similar cargo space and standard infotainment and safety features.
Hyundai gained the sting partly because, unlike Kia, it competes within the pickup truck segment. And competes thoroughly. Along with refreshed styling and more features for the 2025 model yr, the Hyundai Santa Cruz boasts the bottom starting price of any pickup truck on our list and the perfect fuel efficiency, too.
The Korean brand’s small and midsize cars, the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Sonata, also feature the bottom starting prices of their respective categories. Meanwhile, its small Hyundai Tucson, midsize Hyundai Santa Fe, and three-row Hyundai Palisade SUVs are comfortable for families in search of decently sporty styling and performance at a reasonable price.
Nevertheless, Hyundai’s EVs are this yr’s breakout stars. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the full package, with best-in-class range, engaging driving dynamics and a cabin chock full of normal features. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 also provides a compelling combination: an appealing angular design, a roomy cabin and a cushty ride.