Hyundai’s reputation for reliability and build quality has been growing in recent years. From its start as a budget manufacturer, Hyundai are now producing some impressive vehicles, particularly in the Hybrid and Electric vehicle sectors. With these updates come higher costs, and in 2023 there are a number of expensive Hyundais on sale.
The Hyundai range has expanded to cover compact hatches, electric SUVs, and plenty more in between. There’s even some ‘future’ technology thrown in for a very small sector of customers. So with all this variety, how do the cars compare?
So what are the most expensive Hyundais in 2023?
The Most Expensive Hyundais
In this article, we’ll talk about the most expensive Hyundai vehicles on sale in 2023. These are standard models with no bespoke options or extremely limited editions.
I’ll give you some info on those limited editions, but they won’t count. In short, everything listed here is available for ordering through the Hyundai website.
We’ll also compare the starting costs for each vehicle and how much you would need to spend to select every option available. So with that cleared up, let’s get started!
7. Veloster N: $32,500 – $35,655
First up is the Hyundai Veloster N. This is the ultimate version of Hyundai’s successful hatchback, and it’s the best driver’s car on this list by a long distance. This version of the Veloster is the first N model from Hyundai to be sold in the US and is fast becoming one of the most enjoyable hatches on the market.
Performance in the Veloster N comes from a 2-liter engine, producing 275 bhp and 260 lb/ft of torque. For the true driving purists, you can choose between a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters. All models come with an electronically limited slip differential, making this a car perfectly capable on the road or the track.
The Veloster N doesn’t skip on the interior comforts or technology. You get features like a rearview camera, connectivity to Apple CarPlay or Andriod Auto, and some excellent front performance seats. On the outside, this is a great-looking car too, with red accents and a more aggressive look. Overall, if you’re looking for fun over practicality, and with the safety of Hyundai’s 5-year warranty, the Veloster N is great value at $35,000.
6. Hyundai Kona Electric: $34,200 to $42,500
The Hyundai Kona is the second car on our list, and the first electric vehicle we’ll feature. The Kona is a small SUV with plenty of tech, but you’re going to have to pay a premium over its non-electric rivals.
Performance and practicality in the Kona are both reasonable. You get a claimed 258 miles of range from a 150 kW motor, producing just over 200 bhp. These figures make the Kona a great option for regular, short-distance travel, and you can charge the Kona from 10% to 80% in under an hour. Like most electric cars the Kona has regenerative braking too, helping to achieve the 258-mile range.
Modern Hyundais have some great designs, and the Kona is definitely one of the better-looking cars in their range. It’s distinctly an electric car and one of the better-looking models in its market sector, but the interior is slightly underwhelming. You get leather-trimmed seats on certain spec levels, but the interior plastic feels like a cut corner.
The cabin is clean and minimal like most electric cars, but the Kona materials don’t feel as premium as other cars in their range. Tech is plentiful though, with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, along with a host of driver assistance features.
Overall, the Kona is an appealing car if you’re looking for a reliable, well-made, daily driver. The range is good enough for most journeys and the charging time (if you can find a level 3 charger) is impressive, making the Kona an easy car to live with. Design-wise you may like the cabin layout, but for us, it was slightly lacking in material quality for a car starting at $34,000.
5. Hyundai Palisade: $35,250 – $54,750
The Hyundai Palisade is next. This is Hyundai’s largest SUV, with 3rd-row seating, and unlike most models, it’s powered solely by a V6 engine with no hybrid system. The Palisade has been part of Hyundai’s move towards offering more luxury options and moving the brand’s image away from just budget reliability.
Performance wise the Palisade makes just under 300 bhp, putting it in line with rivals like the Kia Telluride. It’s enough to get the Palisade to 60mph in under 7 seconds, which is enough for a vehicle this size. Interior wise you have the option of 8 or 7 seats depending on the trim level, with plenty of storage space. Inside you have the option of Nappa leather in a variety of finishes, adding a real luxury element to the cabin.
The Palisade is one of Hyundai’s best-equipped cars. Alongside the usual infotainment options such as Android Auto & Apply CarPlay, you get up to seven USB ports, Amazon Alexa, and the option to connect two Bluetooth devices at once. Material quality is high throughout the cabin too, and this genuinely feels like a car worth more than $50,000.
4. Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid: $35,400 – $43,200
The Hyundai Tucson PHEV is in 4th place on the most expensive list, starting at just over $35,000. The Tucson has been one of Hyundai’s best-selling vehicles worldwide and is often among the ten best-selling SUVs in the USA. The latest hybrid variant reaches 261 bhp and achieves up to 33 miles on electric power only.
Like most Hyundais, the Tucson is packed with tech, including a 10.25-inch sat nav screen, wireless charging, and multi-zone climate control. Other highlights include Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system (HTRAC) and a hands-free tailgate lift, making the Tucson a great all-around, practical vehicle.
The real value in the Tucson is within the outstanding warranty offered and the value for money this car provides. With a 10-year battery warranty, you can be safe knowing this hybrid model is protected, and for less than $40,000 with options, you’ll struggle to find a better hybrid SUV at this price.
3. Hyundai IONIQ 5: $39,950 – $58,740
Next up is the Ioniq, Hyundai’s flagship electric car. We have to talk about the design of the Ioniq first, as this is a visually stunning vehicle. Hyundai has definitely taken risks here and it has paid off, making the Ioniq stand out from anything else on the road. But what is it like under that exterior?
Performance wise the Ioniq comes with a range of power outputs, from 168bhp to 320bhp. This won’t win you over, but the practicality of the Ioniq makes it one of the easiest electric cars to live with. Hyundai claims you can charge the Ioniq from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes through an 800v connection, and you can even charge another vehicle from your Ioniq.
Inside the design is almost as impressive as the exterior. With a dual-screen setup, the Ioniq is full of all the tech you would expect, but it’s the cabin space that is the real standout. With a sliding center console and few physical controls, the Ioniq feels far more spacious than most cars of this size.
We won’t lie – over $50,000 for a small Hyundai is a difficult sell on paper. The Ioniq’s design will split opinions, but if you want something different and (for us) more interesting than a Telsa or an Electic VW, this will be right up there. The difficult question has to be; the Ioniq or a Mustang Mach E?
2. Hyundai Santa Fe: $40,000 – $49,325
The Santa Fe is Hyundai’s premium SUV, with a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain. As a PHEV performance is split between an electric-only option (lasting around 30 miles) or using the motor in combination with a 1.6-liter engine. These options don’t make the Santa Fe the most powerful hybrid, but a combined output of 261 bhp is enough for most journeys.
The Santa Fe isn’t designed as an accomplished off-roader, but it has a fairly competent all-wheel-drive setup that can handle most surfaces. Passenger comfort is the focus here though, with an abundance of tech as standard. With the Limited edition, you get remote parking, heated & ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, and plenty more. One area that disappointed us was some of the options, with items like mudguards costing extra.
Like most of the cars on this list, Hyundai is providing great value in the Santa Fe, even at almost $50,000. There might be cheaper alternatives out there from the likes of Toyota and Ford, but with all this equipment, an incredible warranty, and a great hybrid system, there isn’t a lot to dislike about the Santa Fe.
1. Hyundai Nexo fuel cell: $59,435 – $62,885
Finally, in the top spot, is the Hyundai Nexo. If you thought some of the cars we’ve covered already were a bit ‘out there’ then the Nexo takes this to another level. This is one of only a few Hydrogen fuel cell cars available right now, and it’s a testament to Hyundai’s engineering teams that this car even exists. Performance wise the Nexo won’t win any awards with only 161 bhp, but a 380-mile range is impressive. But how practical is the Nexo to live with?
For starters, the Nexo is only available in California – the only state with Hydrogen stations (55 at the time of writing). This instantly makes the Nexo an exclusive model and begins to explain the price tag of $60,000+. But apart from that exclusivity, is the Nexo a good car?
Features on the Nexo include everything you would expect from a standard electric car at this price range. You get a 12.3-inch infotainment screen to control most functions and all types of driving assistance tools such as lane assist and remote parking. This is a mid-size SUV so practicality is strong too. It’s strange to say, but this glimpse of the future feels just like a regular family SUV, only with a premium price tag.
All of these features are welcome, but these won’t convince buyers to choose a Nexo. This is a car aimed at providing proof that there is another future in the industry besides electric vehicles.
Summary
We’ve reached the end of our list covering the most expensive Hyundai models in 2023. Hyundai has been producing some seriously impressive cars in recent years, and their lineup is constantly expanding. With an unrivaled warranty package and their reputation for reliability, there isn’t a lot to dislike about most modern Hyundais.
This of course has started to push prices up, and there are some expensive cars on this list. We’ll eventually see electric car prices start to reduce, but for the next year or two I’m expecting to see more models on this list hitting $50,000+
If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to find out more, check out the links below:
The Most Expensive Audi Models
The Most Expensive Subaru Models
The Most Expensive Jaguar Cars
