Hyundai Model History

South Korea · founded 1967

South Korea's largest automaker — a value-brand newcomer that became a global power, now spanning the Elantra, Tucson, and the electric Ioniq line.

Photo: “File:23 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited.jpg” by HJUdall / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0

Models

Elantra

Hyundai's long-running compact — seven generations from 1990 to today, now topped by the performance Elantra N.

Compact car · 1990–present
37 model years
Pony

Hyundai's first mass-produced car — a Giugiaro-styled rear-drive subcompact, never federalized for the US.

Subcompact car · 1975–1990
Excel

Hyundai's first US-market car — a cheap, front-drive subcompact that set first-year import sales records.

Subcompact car · 1986–1994
Sonata

Hyundai's mid-size sedan and long-time volume leader — from a humble 1989 import to a turbocharged N Line.

Mid-size car · 1989–present
Accent

Hyundai's entry-level subcompact, successor to the Excel — a value-priced staple for nearly three decades.

Subcompact car · 1995–2022
Azera

Hyundai's near-luxury full-size sedan, slotting above the Sonata as a value flagship.

Full-size car · 2006–2017
XG350

An early-2000s near-luxury Hyundai sedan (XG300 then XG350), forerunner to the Azera.

Full-size car · 2001–2005
Equus

Hyundai's flagship full-size luxury sedan in the US — later folded into the standalone Genesis marque.

Full-size luxury car · 2011–2016
Tiburon

Hyundai's affordable front-drive sport coupe (Tiburon, from 'shark') — successor to the Scoupe.

Sports car · 1997–2008
Genesis Coupe

Hyundai's rear-drive sport coupe — a genuine enthusiast car, distinct from the Genesis luxury marque.

Sports car · 2010–2016
Veloster

A quirky asymmetric three-door hatch-coupe — and the home of the breakthrough performance Veloster N.

Sports car · 2012–2022
Tucson

Hyundai's compact crossover — its global best-seller, from a modest 2005 SUV to a boldly styled current car.

Compact SUV · 2005–present
Santa Fe

Hyundai's first SUV and long-running mid-size crossover — sized from compact to three-row over its life.

Mid-size SUV · 2001–present
Palisade

Hyundai's flagship three-row family SUV — a roomy, upscale crossover above the Santa Fe.

Mid-size SUV · 2020–present
Kona

Hyundai's subcompact crossover — offered with a hot Kona N and an early mainstream electric Kona Electric.

Subcompact SUV · 2018–present
Venue

Hyundai's smallest and most affordable crossover, positioned below the Kona as an entry SUV.

Subcompact SUV · 2020–present
Veracruz

An upscale three-row crossover of the late 2000s, positioned above the Santa Fe before the Palisade.

Mid-size SUV · 2007–2012
Santa Cruz

Hyundai's car-based compact unibody pickup — a Tucson-related rival to the Ford Maverick.

Compact pickup truck · 2022–present
Entourage

Hyundai's short-lived minivan — a rebadged Kia Sedona that gave Hyundai a brief entry in the segment.

Minivan · 2007–2009
Ioniq (hatchback)

Hyundai's dedicated efficient hatchback — offered as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric.

Compact car · 2017–2022
Ioniq 5

Hyundai's breakthrough electric crossover on the dedicated E-GMP platform, including the hot Ioniq 5 N.

Electric SUV · 2022–present
Ioniq 6

A streamlined electric 'streamliner' sedan on the E-GMP platform, the aerodynamic companion to the Ioniq 5.

Electric car · 2023–present
Nexo

Hyundai's hydrogen fuel-cell crossover — a low-volume, zero-emission SUV sold mainly in California.

Electric SUV · 2019–present

Other makes

Hyundai Model History

Models

Elantra

Pony

Excel

Sonata

Accent

Azera

XG350

Equus

Tiburon

Genesis Coupe

Veloster

Tucson

Santa Fe

Palisade

Kona

Venue

Veracruz

Santa Cruz

Entourage

Ioniq (hatchback)

Ioniq 5

Ioniq 6

Nexo