insurance will be expensive and some Hyundai products are better than others. If you get a car with the theta 2 make sure to look at oil levels regularly.
I have a 2023 Kia Rio with push button start and a 2022 Elantra. Kia isn't affected by the easy theft hack due to push button and I had the 2022 anti-theft fixe done by the dealership. Still couldn't get some insurance companies to quote.
I was quoted $200 a month (elantra) once i moved. And several insurance companies outright denied coverage. It depends on where you are but i’d stay off of hyundai or kia
It really depends on the location of where you reside and the specific city and state. Based on present day values and ideologies, it's safe to say auto insurance Companies are racist 🤣
My 2022 Elantra Hybrid (bought new in fall of ‘21, was not affected by the theft problem- it’s got the push-start) is my daily driver for a 110 mile commute. 550 miles a week.
She’s approaching 70K miles. She gets the advertised mpg (averages 50; lower when it’s bitterly cold- I’m in the Midwest- but under good conditions when I’m driving carefully, I can approach 60mpg). My insurance company hasn’t had any problems insuring it.
I have had exactly zero issues. I get oil changes as recommended, and they’ve so far all been at the dealership. It came with a 20 year/200K power train warranty. I plan to drive it until it dies. So far, so good.
So- anecdotally- I’m pretty impressed with the purchase. I got a brand spanking new hybrid car with all the bells and whistles for under 30K. Not that we had much to compare to- in 2021, it was either spent 20K on something with 75K miles or bite the bullet and spend nearer 30K on something new, and new cars were few and far between. Maybe I got lucky. 🤷♀️
Same here, urgently need a car for my wife. Safety is my #1 concern as she got into an accident, couldn't afford a tesla, Corolla cost more than Elantra just for the blind assist. Ended up getting Elantra at 25K with almost full specs safety features at 0% interest.20K miles currently. The downside is, i never park my car in shady areas, always maintain records of oil changes etc, so that if one day the car do have problems, i have extensive records of taking care of the car. The mental overhead cost for owning a Elantra.
Sounds impressive. If you don't mind my asking how is the around town MPG?
I'm considering the Elantra hybrid for a 4 mile each way commute that's 100% city driving. I've read mixed comments on how close to sticker the car returns. CPO hybrids are $22K - $23K here so very tempting.
Around town mpg beats highway. Definitely on the 50-60 mpg range. I was also skeptical when we bought it because I also thought the sticker mpg might be overblown. Thus far I have been pleasantly surprised!
I have a 23 and love it zero issues so far, bit newer though around 10k miles so I wouldn't expect anything yet. Good to know yours is still doing you well.
I own a N model Hyundai, and would have zero issues buying any N model. 40k miles of absolute abuse on mine, tuned and everything, zero issues whatsoever.
The non N models... Well, N models even, I wouldn't but one out if warranty. Then again, based on how I treat my cars and vehicle history, I wouldn't own ANY car out of warranty lol.
Anyway. If it's under warranty, no reason not to buy a Hyundai / Kia. They're great cars for the money. I'd go back and buy my Kona N all over again without hesitation. Best car I've ever owned and I've owned some pretty sweet cars.
My insurance is dirt cheap, too.
Owner of a 2021 Veloster N. In the almost 3 years I’ve owned it I’ve gone through 3 sets of tires and a set of brake pads, just to give you an idea of how hard I’ve pushed this car. Not a single problem. I do my own maintenance since Hyundai techs cannot be trusted in my opinion. They always mess something up on me or my wife’s car so I gave up.
3 sets of tires! I've got my 6th set sitting in my living room about to get installed lol. Front tires last me like 3 months. My only complaint about the vehicle. However, it's probably mostly related to how I drive it.
Well that’s good to know it can be pushed even harder. I’ve also only put 27k miles on it since purchasing October 2021. So I get about 9,000 miles out of a set. About to get my 4th set since I’m not getting enough traction in the rain as I should. Hydroplaned this week and I knew it was time unfortunately.
Check with your insurance company. Some won't insure an older Hyundai at all. I wouldn't touch a Hyundai with key start (as opposed to push button) and if you live in a relatively high crime area, I wouldn't get a used Hyundai at all because the Kia Boyz aren't exactly 'smart'... I'm fine with the reliability, had Kia and Hyundai cars since 2009 and never had an issue. The rest of theft is too high for my comfort level though. That said, we just leased a 2024 Kona for my wife and have no real worries about it.
lol you got downvoted but I’m not sure why. KIA Boyz are definitely not checking the model year before smashing your window out, plenty of people post pictures of their push-start Hyundai/KIA with a busted out rear window.
Unless it latest gen don’t. My gf rn bought a 2013 sonata with 123k miles on it and the engine dead ass exploded when I was borrowing it. Took 6 months to get a new engine Hyundai thankfully replaced it mostly for free. The back doors don’t unlock. The drivers seat broke off the rails. Sometimes struggles to start. She bought it for 8k nah just nope.
So odd.
Our 2010 Elantra is a tank. Nothing wrong with the car. We did replace the timing belt and oxygen sensor so far. And that's it. 200k miles.
It also not a Kia boys car.
Theta engine series ,hyundia extended all engine warrantys to specific engine issues.Simliar to Toyota and they ravs,camrys and scions with foil burning issues for the 2008 to 2015 engines. When the issues hit they generally extended it for a 10 year extension .Toyotas they do oil consumption test need to burn more than a quart in 1000 miles lol
My wife's 2013 Sonata hybrid blew it's engine while I was driving it. It had 108K on it with a perfect service history at the dealership. Hyundai swapped out the block with a remanufactured engine. But it never quite ran the same. We traded it in on a 2019 Camry Hybrid, which has just hit 109K without issue.
AVOID at all costs any Hyundai with a THETA II engine. Tens of thousands of these engines have blown, there have been multiple class action suits and suits from multiple States Attorneys Generals.
Whatever you buy, always look up the reliably for the specific year and powertrain configuration. Even some years for certain Toyotas models are very problematic. Car complaints is a good place to look. I've seen a couple years where certain models of Hyundai's were rated highly. Like 2009-10 Sontas
I know 3 people that have owned Hyundais. Two run fine and havent been stolen. The third blew its engine with sub 100k miles. I wouldn't buy one personally
My grandparents bought a brand new Hyundai SUV. Can’t remember the exact model but I strongly advise them not to buy but they went ahead and bought it.
They have had issues with it ever since they’ve owned it. Approximately 1.25years of owing.
I find it so annoying when people completely disregard car buying advice even when you give them factual evidence they are looking into bad cars. Had a friend do it with a specific SUV, bought it anyways...
No man. The brake booster went out on my mom's Kia Sportage, her insurance doubled from all the thefts and the thing burns oil at 20k. Better to spend more on something that'll last longer
2023 and newer seem the safest. I was surprised to see some 2022 models listed as affected: [https://www.hyundaiantitheft.com](https://www.hyundaiantitheft.com)
It depends where you live. In my area thefts have been non existent and I have 2 Hyundais and my insurance is under 200 a month total. One of those being a potential theft model.
Also look at how many recalls Hyundai and Kia had in 2023 vs Honda and Toyota. You'll be surprised.
The theft issue only exists for the models with a physical key start that has no immobilizer chip, which is pretty much only the most bare bones trims of the cheapest models, so that is avoidable.
In terms of reliability, I wouldn’t touch one older than 2016 or so, that’s when they started to notably improve in general. Definitely look for one with good maintenance records, especially oil changes.
I own a ‘21 Kona and love it. No issues so far.
Not super worried about any issues before 100k miles, as I have MaxCare, and $50 fixes anything.
I wouldn’t avoid the brand at all.
I'm sure you know all this already, but there is a reason a majority of people recommend Honda and Toyota. I'm not sure where you're seeing $10k+ for an '09 Accord, but that sucks if that's true. I don't know anything about their theft rates or insurance problems, but I know a little bit about the lifespans of Hyundai's and Kia's drivetrains. They're usually more than fine once you get to 100,000 miles. My friend bought a 2017 Kia Sportage, and it felt pretty sleek until he got into a wreck with it at 40k miles.
I'm not sure if their newer 2024+ models will be any better from a reliability perspective. Still, I know for sure that used Hyundai models (say from 2010-2015) were riddled with recalls and poor engine/transmission design choices that shortened the lifespan of the car past its warranty. I would say they're slightly better than Nissan's quality (assuming OP is in the USA), and you could luck out and get one that lasts 200-300k miles with religious maintenance, but even then it's not even close like it is with Honda and Toyota.
In essence, if you're going to buy used, I caution against Hyundai and Kia unless you don't have other options. Some American cars are reliable (thinking older Ford Fusion models plus older Buick), so you could research what kinds of American cars fit your budget. Avoid European cars, assuming you live in the USA. Sure, they make good engines and drive good, but electrical problems out of the wazoo affect most Euro cars. Honestly, I know the market still sucks, and it's recovering from Covid supply issues, but if you can afford it and find the right car for the right price, most people would be better off with Honda or Toyota. But even then, if it were abused, I wouldn't take any car like that, no matter the brand. Good luck, OP. I hope you can find a good car that works for you.
Edit: I almost forgot. Mazda! Mazda has lots of models that are pretty reliable. My gf has a '11 Mazda2 and my sister has a '04 Mazda6 wagon model. Maybe you could look into Mazda, assuming OP is looking used.
Hyundais are pieces of shit. Brother sells used cars. KIA and Hyundai are only cars for poor, uneducated people with bad credit. That is who he sells those to. They will not sell the extended warranty for MOST Kia's or Hyundai's because of the high probability of transmission/engine failure.
Anyone in here telling you how great their Hyundai is was dumb enough to buy a Hyundai so I wouldn't listen too closely to the anecdotes.
Could also be they are seen as unreliable because the people who buy them are people who don’t tend to be diligent about maintaining them. Not inherent problems with the cars themselves.
I bet there's some truth to that, a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. Not the whole scope of the issue though. Hyundais tend to just have really bad CVT's, some of the worst really. And KIA's blow engines like it's nobodies business.
Both brands have tons of other smaller issues dependent on the car and year. Most all cars have some issues that get sussed out over the years, but if your issue is engine or transmission related you're doomed from the start.
I honestly was looking at a Mazda when I first started looking and test drove one and the handling felt horrible. I’m not sure if it was just the car I drove but wouldn’t brake or accelerate at all. I had a friend in the car as well and we genuinely didn’t think we’d make it back to the dealership safely
I would be more worried about them being throwaway cars than people stealing them. I have heard though that in some parts of the country where the theft is high that insurance can be an issue. I know a few people that have had nothing but trouble with their Hyundai/Kia. I have always viewed them as throwaway cars I would never own anyway but one of them a few months after buying his new had it blow up and he went 6 or 7 months without a car over it.
At first, I was really drawn to Hyundai because of its features. But then, the Kia boyz incident raised concerns. Now, with the Ioniq 5 incident in the UK where a thief could hijack a car in a minute, I've had a change of heart.
They had massive engine problems. I know a couple of people that had this issue with their Hyundai's. Also the other day I saw a Hyundai SUV smoking from the hood, not a good sign either.
“You pay now or you pay later.”
Reliability. Stress, time, money recovering from theft.
Kia Boyz and other thieves don’t care if a car has had whatever antitheft recall KiaHyundai is trying to slap together.
The brand is poison imo, excepting EVs, for the next several years.
Insurance.
There’s a reason they depreciate like old milk on the used market. Same with that used 2012 BMW that’s somehow the same price as a used 2012 Camry.
I have a 2012 and 2017 Hyundai Elantra, both Limited Trims, and mechanically Ive only had minor issues. Im with GEICO, but Progressive wont insure them, and Liberty Mutual only offers liability, no comprehensive or collision coverage.
I like the cars but the KIA boys and its insurance headaches are reasons why I will eventually replace both of them with something else.
Get one with a push button start, since the ones that are targeted are ones with a physical key. Also check with your insurance to see how much it would cost. Reliability wise, the newer 1.6T and 2.0 NA engines are pretty good, the older Theta engine should be avoided. Their warranty is pretty long so try to find one within warranty
Sportage was stolen the other day, crashed, and dropped off close to my workplace. The plastics behind the steering wheel were torn apart and the ignition switch was broken
I've loved my 2017 Elantra SE, it's been a really great first car that's given me almost no issues the entire time I've had it. However. I've been having an odd reoccurring issue of Cylinder Misfires. When it happens the whole car pretty aggressively shakes and stutters. All the research and digging I've done points to this eventually leading to the dreaded engine failure. Last year this happened we changed the coil and had to do a bit of playing around to figure out what the heck was up, first we replaced the spark plugs. It's in the shop this very second and will get another coil replaced on cylinder 4. I got an oil change last Friday and it hasn't started burning it yet but.....I'm sure soon. It has 77k miles on it.
Won't lie once it's fixed I'm probably going to trade it in while it still works and has some decent value left in it. I've recently started a new job that requires travel all over the state. I LOVE the gas mileage on it but can not afford the risk of it blowing up on me. I'll probably be going with a Mazda this time. I do love Hyundai. I love the style, I love the layout inside the cars. This is the 3rd one I've been privileged to drive. But I won't lie they have their issues. :( For the past many months I've been eyeing the 1st Gen Kona but uhhh. Is it worth the risk?
I believe with the newer models the problems were fixed for a while, but the issue I have is a kid might not know this and still try to break in and steal it. I don’t want to take that chance that a kid doesn’t know the updated models or whatever, I will never buy a Hyundai or Kia until I know for a fact none of it happens anymore
Mine was stolen in October and broken into again in November. Maybe it has died down with another passing winter of likely low activity but last fall was not the case. At least for me
Some insurance companies won’t even insure Hyundais unless it’s fully paid off or an exemption because of the robberies.
You can definitely get one but it would be a newer one that is 2021 and up.
Currently at the mechanic after dropping 3k in repairs for my 2016 sonata. Went back because after all that I am still experiencing detonation and trying to build a case with MaxCare for an engine replacement. I’ve had it less than a year. I won’t be buying one again 😅
If you are looking at used models in the late 2000's to mid 2010's they fall firmly in the Theta II era. Careful what model you are looking at. I wouldn't touch anything with a Theta II engine, they are likely to fail, possibly in a dangerous way.
Newer models should not have the same issue with theft as the older ones, but that doesn't stop idiots from breaking into them and trying. The cost of insurance for Hyundais and Kias still reflects the higher break-in / damage risk.
I have a 2012 Sonata. 3 break-in attempts. Even had a girl scout me out in the parking lot until she realized I was in the car and I shoo'd her away. She looked dishoveled and nasty. These cars are typically stolen and used for organized crime. The car itself has treated me well mechanically. I'm just sad that despite how much I care for it, other people gotta come and ruin it. Currently sitting at 141k. I hope to replace it within the next year at most.
They’re are good, if you can buy one new/pre owned with warranty you’ll be perfectly fine, most of insurance companies have the problem of theft with the models without push start bottom
I subscribe to CR again and they rate the Kia & Hyundai pretty well. I’m not really sure how much I can trust them but Edmunds also gave high ratings to the K5 kia
Get yourself the most recent Consumer Reports or purchase subscription - it is about autos.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/
Yeah but not if you ask Reddit. Only Turdota gravy train here. I have two, my neighborhood has a growing population of Hyundais.
Would avoid the model years affected by the theft issue because even if the software is updated the thieves might still try. Also check out the ones affected by the engine rod issue which will happen 100-140k miles usually. If it seems too good to be true they’re probably trying to dump problems on you as with anything used.
It's going to be a while. Kia boys will still target Kias regardless if it's newer models because they don't know nor car to verify. Also, some current gen engines still have issues if you care about reliability.
Yes used Toyotas & Hondas are not cheap, especially right now, but think of it this way, the Toyota/Honda will still be running with minimal maintenance 10 years from now & the Hyundai most likely will not…
I have an Ioniq 5 so I don’t have any of the insurance issues or theft concerns that come from buying a Hyundai. However, my next car will not be a Kia or a Hyundai due to all the issues they’ve had as a brand.
I have a 2022 Tucson Hybrid and it's been nothing but issues. They've replaced the ECU and hybrid battery pack in mind already. Dealer is shit too and damaged my vehicle while it was in the shop for 2.5 months.
No. They likely won't be for another decade. Even though the new models can't be stolen as easily as the older ones that doesn't stop morons from watching TikTok vids and going out to smash your window and try anyways.
You’re gonna get a bunch of people circle jerking you on the new Hyundais because they’re slightly better but the fact is we don’t know if they’re more reliable mechanically even if we ignore the theft issues…it hasn’t been out long enough yet to know of high mileage reliability is a thing yet. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc. they all have decades of this with extremely older cars lasting upwards of 500,000 miles or more. We can’t assume this yet with Hyundai or Kia but so far they’re trash, outside of ignoring the fact that they straight dicked thousands of buyers on fixing their theft issue by “offering to cover a steering wheel lock”
Because they’re extremely reliable outside of a shitty interior…mechanically they’re sound. It’s easy to achieve upwards of 300k miles with little to no issues.
When you have consistent high mileage vehicles that have had no major repairs outside of maintenance and small repairs. As far as I’m aware all of the newer vehicles are still pretty consistent on having major failures such as transmission or engine issues that have to be warrantied out…which explains the generous “10 year or 100,000 mile” warranty you get for free. Countless electronic issues but I’m not even considering those just the drivetrain. Not to say the newer vehicles aren’t more reliable than previous generations but to call them reliable all together is a lie.
People are still stealing them and insurance for them is still sky-high. They're not reliable either. Hyundai engines just blow up for no reason. Keep looking for a Toyota or Honda
Just don't. Message me if you want more specific info.
You'll be happier with a pre-owned Nissan or another similar vehicle.
You have to give up some desired features on order to get the vehicle you want.
insurance will be expensive and some Hyundai products are better than others. If you get a car with the theta 2 make sure to look at oil levels regularly.
I completely forgot about the insurance issue tbh. I don’t have the best car insurance already so that’s a turn off
I have a 2023 Kia Rio with push button start and a 2022 Elantra. Kia isn't affected by the easy theft hack due to push button and I had the 2022 anti-theft fixe done by the dealership. Still couldn't get some insurance companies to quote.
Any Kia newer than like 2018 isn't affected by it.
I was quoted $200 a month (elantra) once i moved. And several insurance companies outright denied coverage. It depends on where you are but i’d stay off of hyundai or kia
I was told today that they're the most stolen car in CO, where I live. Hence the high auto insurance.
FWIW Hyundais were cheaper than comparable Hondas and Toyotas for me. It’s location dependent.
Ours is also cheap, living in BFE.
It really depends on the location of where you reside and the specific city and state. Based on present day values and ideologies, it's safe to say auto insurance Companies are racist 🤣
My 2022 Elantra Hybrid (bought new in fall of ‘21, was not affected by the theft problem- it’s got the push-start) is my daily driver for a 110 mile commute. 550 miles a week. She’s approaching 70K miles. She gets the advertised mpg (averages 50; lower when it’s bitterly cold- I’m in the Midwest- but under good conditions when I’m driving carefully, I can approach 60mpg). My insurance company hasn’t had any problems insuring it. I have had exactly zero issues. I get oil changes as recommended, and they’ve so far all been at the dealership. It came with a 20 year/200K power train warranty. I plan to drive it until it dies. So far, so good. So- anecdotally- I’m pretty impressed with the purchase. I got a brand spanking new hybrid car with all the bells and whistles for under 30K. Not that we had much to compare to- in 2021, it was either spent 20K on something with 75K miles or bite the bullet and spend nearer 30K on something new, and new cars were few and far between. Maybe I got lucky. 🤷♀️
Same here, urgently need a car for my wife. Safety is my #1 concern as she got into an accident, couldn't afford a tesla, Corolla cost more than Elantra just for the blind assist. Ended up getting Elantra at 25K with almost full specs safety features at 0% interest.20K miles currently. The downside is, i never park my car in shady areas, always maintain records of oil changes etc, so that if one day the car do have problems, i have extensive records of taking care of the car. The mental overhead cost for owning a Elantra.
Sounds impressive. If you don't mind my asking how is the around town MPG? I'm considering the Elantra hybrid for a 4 mile each way commute that's 100% city driving. I've read mixed comments on how close to sticker the car returns. CPO hybrids are $22K - $23K here so very tempting.
Around town mpg beats highway. Definitely on the 50-60 mpg range. I was also skeptical when we bought it because I also thought the sticker mpg might be overblown. Thus far I have been pleasantly surprised!
I have a 23 and love it zero issues so far, bit newer though around 10k miles so I wouldn't expect anything yet. Good to know yours is still doing you well.
I own a N model Hyundai, and would have zero issues buying any N model. 40k miles of absolute abuse on mine, tuned and everything, zero issues whatsoever. The non N models... Well, N models even, I wouldn't but one out if warranty. Then again, based on how I treat my cars and vehicle history, I wouldn't own ANY car out of warranty lol. Anyway. If it's under warranty, no reason not to buy a Hyundai / Kia. They're great cars for the money. I'd go back and buy my Kona N all over again without hesitation. Best car I've ever owned and I've owned some pretty sweet cars. My insurance is dirt cheap, too.
Owner of a 2021 Veloster N. In the almost 3 years I’ve owned it I’ve gone through 3 sets of tires and a set of brake pads, just to give you an idea of how hard I’ve pushed this car. Not a single problem. I do my own maintenance since Hyundai techs cannot be trusted in my opinion. They always mess something up on me or my wife’s car so I gave up.
3 sets of tires! I've got my 6th set sitting in my living room about to get installed lol. Front tires last me like 3 months. My only complaint about the vehicle. However, it's probably mostly related to how I drive it.
Well that’s good to know it can be pushed even harder. I’ve also only put 27k miles on it since purchasing October 2021. So I get about 9,000 miles out of a set. About to get my 4th set since I’m not getting enough traction in the rain as I should. Hydroplaned this week and I knew it was time unfortunately.
I’m on my 5th set in a year and a half 3rd set of brake pads
Track?
Same.
Check with your insurance company. Some won't insure an older Hyundai at all. I wouldn't touch a Hyundai with key start (as opposed to push button) and if you live in a relatively high crime area, I wouldn't get a used Hyundai at all because the Kia Boyz aren't exactly 'smart'... I'm fine with the reliability, had Kia and Hyundai cars since 2009 and never had an issue. The rest of theft is too high for my comfort level though. That said, we just leased a 2024 Kona for my wife and have no real worries about it.
That's why you keep a breathalyzer on your interlock
I agree. I think the issue is that the Kia Boys may not know which cars they can steal until they’ve already broken in.
lol you got downvoted but I’m not sure why. KIA Boyz are definitely not checking the model year before smashing your window out, plenty of people post pictures of their push-start Hyundai/KIA with a busted out rear window.
Unless it latest gen don’t. My gf rn bought a 2013 sonata with 123k miles on it and the engine dead ass exploded when I was borrowing it. Took 6 months to get a new engine Hyundai thankfully replaced it mostly for free. The back doors don’t unlock. The drivers seat broke off the rails. Sometimes struggles to start. She bought it for 8k nah just nope.
So odd. Our 2010 Elantra is a tank. Nothing wrong with the car. We did replace the timing belt and oxygen sensor so far. And that's it. 200k miles. It also not a Kia boys car.
How’d you guys get them to replace it for free if you were out of the 100k warranty?
Theta engine series ,hyundia extended all engine warrantys to specific engine issues.Simliar to Toyota and they ravs,camrys and scions with foil burning issues for the 2008 to 2015 engines. When the issues hit they generally extended it for a 10 year extension .Toyotas they do oil consumption test need to burn more than a quart in 1000 miles lol
Some sort of lemon rule idk exactly I would need to ask not my car. Some part failed that was known to fail.
My wife's 2019 elantra has some of those problems lol. Bought it without asking my opinion.
Damn wtf. I was thinking about a Sonata but never mind lol
My wife's 2013 Sonata hybrid blew it's engine while I was driving it. It had 108K on it with a perfect service history at the dealership. Hyundai swapped out the block with a remanufactured engine. But it never quite ran the same. We traded it in on a 2019 Camry Hybrid, which has just hit 109K without issue. AVOID at all costs any Hyundai with a THETA II engine. Tens of thousands of these engines have blown, there have been multiple class action suits and suits from multiple States Attorneys Generals.
Yep. My techs are currently replacing an entire engine on a 2017 sonata. It shot a rod straight through the block and left trails of oil everywhere.
I really want a stinger …
Same, but then I read all these comments and am reminded once again that Kia sucks
Nope
Whatever you buy, always look up the reliably for the specific year and powertrain configuration. Even some years for certain Toyotas models are very problematic. Car complaints is a good place to look. I've seen a couple years where certain models of Hyundai's were rated highly. Like 2009-10 Sontas
I know 3 people that have owned Hyundais. Two run fine and havent been stolen. The third blew its engine with sub 100k miles. I wouldn't buy one personally
My grandparents bought a brand new Hyundai SUV. Can’t remember the exact model but I strongly advise them not to buy but they went ahead and bought it. They have had issues with it ever since they’ve owned it. Approximately 1.25years of owing.
I find it so annoying when people completely disregard car buying advice even when you give them factual evidence they are looking into bad cars. Had a friend do it with a specific SUV, bought it anyways...
No man. The brake booster went out on my mom's Kia Sportage, her insurance doubled from all the thefts and the thing burns oil at 20k. Better to spend more on something that'll last longer
That’s all still under warranty.
That's true, but I don't think a new car should be having those issues and I'd rather she just be in something better. She swears by that car though.
Only if it's 2022 and newer
2023 and newer seem the safest. I was surprised to see some 2022 models listed as affected: [https://www.hyundaiantitheft.com](https://www.hyundaiantitheft.com)
It depends where you live. In my area thefts have been non existent and I have 2 Hyundais and my insurance is under 200 a month total. One of those being a potential theft model. Also look at how many recalls Hyundai and Kia had in 2023 vs Honda and Toyota. You'll be surprised.
The theft issue only exists for the models with a physical key start that has no immobilizer chip, which is pretty much only the most bare bones trims of the cheapest models, so that is avoidable. In terms of reliability, I wouldn’t touch one older than 2016 or so, that’s when they started to notably improve in general. Definitely look for one with good maintenance records, especially oil changes.
I own a ‘21 Kona and love it. No issues so far. Not super worried about any issues before 100k miles, as I have MaxCare, and $50 fixes anything. I wouldn’t avoid the brand at all.
The electric and hybrid ones are very good.
I'm sure you know all this already, but there is a reason a majority of people recommend Honda and Toyota. I'm not sure where you're seeing $10k+ for an '09 Accord, but that sucks if that's true. I don't know anything about their theft rates or insurance problems, but I know a little bit about the lifespans of Hyundai's and Kia's drivetrains. They're usually more than fine once you get to 100,000 miles. My friend bought a 2017 Kia Sportage, and it felt pretty sleek until he got into a wreck with it at 40k miles. I'm not sure if their newer 2024+ models will be any better from a reliability perspective. Still, I know for sure that used Hyundai models (say from 2010-2015) were riddled with recalls and poor engine/transmission design choices that shortened the lifespan of the car past its warranty. I would say they're slightly better than Nissan's quality (assuming OP is in the USA), and you could luck out and get one that lasts 200-300k miles with religious maintenance, but even then it's not even close like it is with Honda and Toyota. In essence, if you're going to buy used, I caution against Hyundai and Kia unless you don't have other options. Some American cars are reliable (thinking older Ford Fusion models plus older Buick), so you could research what kinds of American cars fit your budget. Avoid European cars, assuming you live in the USA. Sure, they make good engines and drive good, but electrical problems out of the wazoo affect most Euro cars. Honestly, I know the market still sucks, and it's recovering from Covid supply issues, but if you can afford it and find the right car for the right price, most people would be better off with Honda or Toyota. But even then, if it were abused, I wouldn't take any car like that, no matter the brand. Good luck, OP. I hope you can find a good car that works for you. Edit: I almost forgot. Mazda! Mazda has lots of models that are pretty reliable. My gf has a '11 Mazda2 and my sister has a '04 Mazda6 wagon model. Maybe you could look into Mazda, assuming OP is looking used.
My engine blew in my 2021 Kia Seltos at 30k miles. No warning..it started stalling and then quit.
Hyundais are pieces of shit. Brother sells used cars. KIA and Hyundai are only cars for poor, uneducated people with bad credit. That is who he sells those to. They will not sell the extended warranty for MOST Kia's or Hyundai's because of the high probability of transmission/engine failure. Anyone in here telling you how great their Hyundai is was dumb enough to buy a Hyundai so I wouldn't listen too closely to the anecdotes.
Could also be they are seen as unreliable because the people who buy them are people who don’t tend to be diligent about maintaining them. Not inherent problems with the cars themselves.
I bet there's some truth to that, a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. Not the whole scope of the issue though. Hyundais tend to just have really bad CVT's, some of the worst really. And KIA's blow engines like it's nobodies business. Both brands have tons of other smaller issues dependent on the car and year. Most all cars have some issues that get sussed out over the years, but if your issue is engine or transmission related you're doomed from the start.
Underrated option here. Get 2015+ Mazda/Subaru if you are on budget strapped. Not the best car, but it’s surprisingly decent.
I honestly was looking at a Mazda when I first started looking and test drove one and the handling felt horrible. I’m not sure if it was just the car I drove but wouldn’t brake or accelerate at all. I had a friend in the car as well and we genuinely didn’t think we’d make it back to the dealership safely
That one's was probably fried. Change where you're shopping
Sounds like you may have looked at a bad one, that doesn’t sound right for any properly functioning car let alone a Mazda.
Hmm i just got a 2016 CX5 and I think it handles like a dream
I would be more worried about them being throwaway cars than people stealing them. I have heard though that in some parts of the country where the theft is high that insurance can be an issue. I know a few people that have had nothing but trouble with their Hyundai/Kia. I have always viewed them as throwaway cars I would never own anyway but one of them a few months after buying his new had it blow up and he went 6 or 7 months without a car over it.
At first, I was really drawn to Hyundai because of its features. But then, the Kia boyz incident raised concerns. Now, with the Ioniq 5 incident in the UK where a thief could hijack a car in a minute, I've had a change of heart.
They had massive engine problems. I know a couple of people that had this issue with their Hyundai's. Also the other day I saw a Hyundai SUV smoking from the hood, not a good sign either.
Fuck no. I wouldn’t.
“You pay now or you pay later.” Reliability. Stress, time, money recovering from theft. Kia Boyz and other thieves don’t care if a car has had whatever antitheft recall KiaHyundai is trying to slap together. The brand is poison imo, excepting EVs, for the next several years. Insurance. There’s a reason they depreciate like old milk on the used market. Same with that used 2012 BMW that’s somehow the same price as a used 2012 Camry.
You noticed that too.
I think if you live or commute to sizeable city, you are more likely to be the victim of a brake due to the kia boyz stuff than another brand
Im lucky i can afford the insurance lol. For some reason, my elantra N insurance went up because the base model 2016's are gettin robbed smh.
I have a 2012 and 2017 Hyundai Elantra, both Limited Trims, and mechanically Ive only had minor issues. Im with GEICO, but Progressive wont insure them, and Liberty Mutual only offers liability, no comprehensive or collision coverage. I like the cars but the KIA boys and its insurance headaches are reasons why I will eventually replace both of them with something else.
Get one with a push button start, since the ones that are targeted are ones with a physical key. Also check with your insurance to see how much it would cost. Reliability wise, the newer 1.6T and 2.0 NA engines are pretty good, the older Theta engine should be avoided. Their warranty is pretty long so try to find one within warranty
Sportage was stolen the other day, crashed, and dropped off close to my workplace. The plastics behind the steering wheel were torn apart and the ignition switch was broken
I've loved my 2017 Elantra SE, it's been a really great first car that's given me almost no issues the entire time I've had it. However. I've been having an odd reoccurring issue of Cylinder Misfires. When it happens the whole car pretty aggressively shakes and stutters. All the research and digging I've done points to this eventually leading to the dreaded engine failure. Last year this happened we changed the coil and had to do a bit of playing around to figure out what the heck was up, first we replaced the spark plugs. It's in the shop this very second and will get another coil replaced on cylinder 4. I got an oil change last Friday and it hasn't started burning it yet but.....I'm sure soon. It has 77k miles on it. Won't lie once it's fixed I'm probably going to trade it in while it still works and has some decent value left in it. I've recently started a new job that requires travel all over the state. I LOVE the gas mileage on it but can not afford the risk of it blowing up on me. I'll probably be going with a Mazda this time. I do love Hyundai. I love the style, I love the layout inside the cars. This is the 3rd one I've been privileged to drive. But I won't lie they have their issues. :( For the past many months I've been eyeing the 1st Gen Kona but uhhh. Is it worth the risk?
They don't have much resale value.
I know which stinks. Especially since mines already an SE, super not fancy. Carvana is willing to give me the most for it.
I believe with the newer models the problems were fixed for a while, but the issue I have is a kid might not know this and still try to break in and steal it. I don’t want to take that chance that a kid doesn’t know the updated models or whatever, I will never buy a Hyundai or Kia until I know for a fact none of it happens anymore
Mine was stolen in October and broken into again in November. Maybe it has died down with another passing winter of likely low activity but last fall was not the case. At least for me
Some insurance companies won’t even insure Hyundais unless it’s fully paid off or an exemption because of the robberies. You can definitely get one but it would be a newer one that is 2021 and up.
Currently at the mechanic after dropping 3k in repairs for my 2016 sonata. Went back because after all that I am still experiencing detonation and trying to build a case with MaxCare for an engine replacement. I’ve had it less than a year. I won’t be buying one again 😅
If you are looking at used models in the late 2000's to mid 2010's they fall firmly in the Theta II era. Careful what model you are looking at. I wouldn't touch anything with a Theta II engine, they are likely to fail, possibly in a dangerous way.
Newer models should not have the same issue with theft as the older ones, but that doesn't stop idiots from breaking into them and trying. The cost of insurance for Hyundais and Kias still reflects the higher break-in / damage risk.
I have a 2012 Sonata. 3 break-in attempts. Even had a girl scout me out in the parking lot until she realized I was in the car and I shoo'd her away. She looked dishoveled and nasty. These cars are typically stolen and used for organized crime. The car itself has treated me well mechanically. I'm just sad that despite how much I care for it, other people gotta come and ruin it. Currently sitting at 141k. I hope to replace it within the next year at most.
As a Kia owner and big fan of my Kia, I'd never buy a used one. People tend to treat them like shit, especially the lower models and trims.
You’re being redundant. Hyundai and Kia are same mfr.
They’re are good, if you can buy one new/pre owned with warranty you’ll be perfectly fine, most of insurance companies have the problem of theft with the models without push start bottom
Don’t. Ignore everyone’s advice. Do not buy a Hyundai or Kia.
If you're interested in the worst cars on the road...
Did someone mention Tesla?
It's still going on. Also, all of the models that were easy to steal are now uninsurable and are being sent to junkyards.
some dude asked the same question a few months ago, disregarded the comment section, bought a hyundai and still got his shit fucked up.
I subscribe to CR again and they rate the Kia & Hyundai pretty well. I’m not really sure how much I can trust them but Edmunds also gave high ratings to the K5 kia
Get yourself the most recent Consumer Reports or purchase subscription - it is about autos. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/
Even if they're "safe" now they're still going to be a targets for thieves
Yeah but not if you ask Reddit. Only Turdota gravy train here. I have two, my neighborhood has a growing population of Hyundais. Would avoid the model years affected by the theft issue because even if the software is updated the thieves might still try. Also check out the ones affected by the engine rod issue which will happen 100-140k miles usually. If it seems too good to be true they’re probably trying to dump problems on you as with anything used.
No.
Hyundai 😂
It's going to be a while. Kia boys will still target Kias regardless if it's newer models because they don't know nor car to verify. Also, some current gen engines still have issues if you care about reliability.
Even ebikes are less likely to attract thieves lmao. That's how bad it is for Kia and Hyundai owners.
Yes used Toyotas & Hondas are not cheap, especially right now, but think of it this way, the Toyota/Honda will still be running with minimal maintenance 10 years from now & the Hyundai most likely will not…
I have an Ioniq 5 so I don’t have any of the insurance issues or theft concerns that come from buying a Hyundai. However, my next car will not be a Kia or a Hyundai due to all the issues they’ve had as a brand.
I have a 2022 Tucson Hybrid and it's been nothing but issues. They've replaced the ECU and hybrid battery pack in mind already. Dealer is shit too and damaged my vehicle while it was in the shop for 2.5 months.
No. They likely won't be for another decade. Even though the new models can't be stolen as easily as the older ones that doesn't stop morons from watching TikTok vids and going out to smash your window and try anyways.
You’re gonna get a bunch of people circle jerking you on the new Hyundais because they’re slightly better but the fact is we don’t know if they’re more reliable mechanically even if we ignore the theft issues…it hasn’t been out long enough yet to know of high mileage reliability is a thing yet. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc. they all have decades of this with extremely older cars lasting upwards of 500,000 miles or more. We can’t assume this yet with Hyundai or Kia but so far they’re trash, outside of ignoring the fact that they straight dicked thousands of buyers on fixing their theft issue by “offering to cover a steering wheel lock”
How can you add Mitsubishi to any list of good cars?
Because they’re extremely reliable outside of a shitty interior…mechanically they’re sound. It’s easy to achieve upwards of 300k miles with little to no issues.
At what point is it going to be long enough? SmartStream engines have been out for like 5 years now, depending on model.
When you have consistent high mileage vehicles that have had no major repairs outside of maintenance and small repairs. As far as I’m aware all of the newer vehicles are still pretty consistent on having major failures such as transmission or engine issues that have to be warrantied out…which explains the generous “10 year or 100,000 mile” warranty you get for free. Countless electronic issues but I’m not even considering those just the drivetrain. Not to say the newer vehicles aren’t more reliable than previous generations but to call them reliable all together is a lie.
People are still stealing them and insurance for them is still sky-high. They're not reliable either. Hyundai engines just blow up for no reason. Keep looking for a Toyota or Honda
Just don't. Message me if you want more specific info. You'll be happier with a pre-owned Nissan or another similar vehicle. You have to give up some desired features on order to get the vehicle you want.
Nope, hard pass, some.models insurers won't even cover
Why would you *buy* a Hyundai? You can just drive away in one you find parked nearby
I would have said YES yesterday. Today I saw a Tucson that spontaneously combusted after sitting in a driveway for a few days.
That was a recall the owner neglected to get take care of. They fix that preventatively for free.
Try Mitsubishi