Let’s face it: shopping for a vehicle isn’t always easy. That might seem strange coming from a car dealership, but we’re uniquely aware of how difficult it can be to find the right vehicle with everything you need. It’s one of the reasons we work so hard here at Rusty Wallace Hyundai to provide the highest level of service and make sure our customers drive away completely happy in a vehicle they love. As your new and used Hyundai dealer, we pride ourselves on taking the hassle out of shopping for a vehicle and making sure it’s as easy for you as possible.
If you’re interested in a used Hyundai SUV, then you might not even be sure where to start—and that’s where we come in. Today, we’re going to look at our favorite models that we suggest for our customers who want a used SUV and what each one has to offer. We won’t get into too many specifics, but this will point you in the right direction so that you can focus on what each one has to offer. We’ve arranged them by size, from smallest to largest, to make things as simple as possible while you explore your options.
The Hyundai Venue: Subcompact Style for Daily Driving
Kicking things off, we have the Hyundai Venue, which is the smallest SUV you’ll find when looking at these used options. This model makes it a fantastic choice for a wide range of drivers, particularly if you tend to drive with just a couple of other people along for the ride or on your own much of the time.
The Venue is also one of the newest additions to the Hyundai lineup and has been available since the 2020 model year. This means there’s only been a single generation for the Venue so far, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. Powered by a 1.6L engine that delivers 121 hp, you’re not going to win any drag races with the Venue, but it’s a lot of fun to drive nonetheless.
Perhaps more importantly, it’s an incredibly efficient option, making it perfect for your daily commute and getting around town with fewer stops for gas. An 8.0-inch infotainment system is standard in the Venue, so any used model you find will be fun to drive and have great features for you to enjoy. Combine all of that with an incredibly accessible starting price, and you have a terrific subcompact SUV.
The Hyundai Kona: Elevated Power and Sophistication
If you’re looking for something with more muscle in it, then the Hyundai Kona is a terrific choice with numerous engines and models on the used market. Although not quite as new as the Venue, the Kona has only been a part of the Hyundai lineup since the 2018 model year, which means you still have plenty of them to choose from, and they’ll all be newer options.
Those early model years feature a standard 147-hp engine, with an available turbocharged 175-hp engine that’s a great one to look for when considering used models. A 7.0-inch infotainment display was standard early on, with an 8.0-inch screen available, so keep that in mind. Hyundai updated the first-generation Kona with a refresh for the 2022 model year, which made some big changes worth considering when looking at different used models.
While the standard engine remains the same, the 2022 model introduces an N Line trim with a 195-hp turbocharged engine that’s a fantastic choice as you look at used options. That’s not to be confused with the Kona N that came out at the same time with a 276-hp engine; the Kona N is an amazing one to look for if performance is at the top of your list. Otherwise, the 2022 model introduced a larger 8.0-inch infotainment display as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available, and much more.
The Hyundai Tucson: Compact and Great for Families
One of the oldest SUVs in Hyundai’s lineup, the compact Tucson has proven itself an incredibly popular option and has been one of Hyundai’s best-sellers year after year. First released for the 2005 model year, the Tucson is a fantastic choice if you need something for a small family since it gives you plenty of room inside despite its two-row design. If you need something for more than five passengers, then look at our next two mentions, but otherwise, this is a great pick.
Great ones to look for include a Tucson from 2019, when Hyundai updated its third generation with a revised front grille and a new 2.4L engine. This year also marked the addition of a fantastic selection of advanced safety features as standard, which makes it one of our favorites. The 2022 Tucson launched an all-new fourth generation for this popular SUV, making it a terrific one to look for as you explore used options.
Not only can you find a full redesign but also new engines, including a standard 2.5L with 187 hp and an available 1.6L Turbo that offers 226 hp for boosted performance and a fantastic driving experience.
The Hyundai Santa Fe: Plenty of Space for Everyone
Although the Santa Fe is a fantastic SUV, it’s also one of the trickiest ones to shop for on the used market because of some big changes over the last several years. This is one where you definitely want to pay attention to the model year you’re looking at to make sure you get what you want. A Santa Fe from 2017 is a great choice as it represents an updated version of the third-generation model, which has three rows of seats. If you want a two-row model from that time, then look for a Santa Fe Sport instead.
Starting with the fourth generation and the 2019 model, however, the Santa Fe becomes a two-row vehicle and replaces the Santa Fe Sport. The three-row model at that time was renamed the Santa Fe XL—until it was replaced for the 2020 model year with the three-row Palisade. So Santa Fe models from 2019 through 2023 have two rows, but prior to that it was a three-row vehicle. Now, with the 2024 model coming out, Hyundai is once again making the Santa Fe a three-row model, so pay close attention to what year you’re looking at with any used Santa Fe.
The Hyundai Palisade: Three Rows of Satisfaction
As we just mentioned, the Hyundai Palisade hit the road starting with the 2020 model year, making it one of the newest models in the lineup alongside the Venue. Replacing the Santa Fe XL, the Palisade is a three-row midsize SUV with room enough inside for up to eight passengers when properly configured. Don’t let its midsize design fool you, however, because all three rows are quite comfortable, and this is a great choice if you have a large or growing family.
Since its introduction, the Palisade has featured a 291-hp 3.8L V6 engine that makes it quite fun on the road, paired with an eight-speed automatic for a smooth and responsive driving experience. Beyond its initial release for 2020, note that the 2022 version was updated with additional standard safety features, making it an even better choice for getting your family where you need to go.
The Palisade received a facelift and update for the 2023 model year, including a rejuvenated appearance and a gorgeous 12.0-inch infotainment display as standard in all models. Other options—like heated seating across all three rows and a massaging driver’s seat—are great features to look for in a used model that can elevate your daily drive.
Find the Used Hyundai SUV You’ve Been Looking For
You can see that you have quite a few important decisions to make while shopping for a used Hyundai SUV, not just for the right model but also the generation and year. Keeping all of these things straight while trying to compare different vehicles can be a headache, which is why it’s so important to find a dealership that can help you with everything you need.
Here at Rusty Wallace Hyundai, we’re excited to have the opportunity to work for you and make sure you find the perfect SUV. All you have to do is decide on the kinds of features that are most important to you—including performance, interior space, tech, and safety—then we’ll make sure you get a pre-owned SUV in excellent condition with everything you need.
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