A hybrid, economy car, and the N hot hatch all require a proper funeral.
We knew this news was coming, but it doesn’t make the result any easier to bear. Hyundai just revealed its slate of changes for the 2023 model year, and most of the news is pretty yawn inducing. The following models are all carryover, meaning they have no significant changes: Santa Fe, Tuscon, Kona, Santa Cruz, Venue, Nexo, Ioniq 5, Elantra, and Sonata. The 2023 Palisade gets a refresh including a new XRT trim, but three models will be dropped from the lineup entirely.
Perhaps the most disappointing news is the death of one the best hot hatchbacks on the market, the 2022 Hyundai Veloster N. This news was already rumored, so it doesn’t come as a shock, but it’s still disappointing. Hyundai says the Veloster N will be discontinued to make room for the new Elantra N and Kona N. Those are great consolation prizes, but the Veloster N will always hold a special places in our hearts with its affordable $32,500 starting price.
Hyundai
Hyundai
Hyundai
Hyundai
Though it’s not nearly as fun as the Veloster, the 2022 Hyundai Accent discontinuation came as the biggest shock. Hyundai says the Venue will take over as its new entry-level product, which serves as little consolation for shoppers wanting cheap and affordable transportation. The Accent’s attractive $16,645 starting price and 41-mpg highway rating crushed the Venue’s $19,000 base MSRP and 33-mpg highway rating. Hyundai says “sedans remain an important part of the lineup” with the Elantra and Sonata, but those are significantly more expensive than the Accent. Even more upsetting, Hyundai is currently working on a refreshed Accent model that will be sold in other markets.
Finally, the Korean automaker confirmed an announcement from earlier this year, stating that the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (plus the PHEV and Electric) would end production after July. This means the company’s most affordable hybrid, and the most fuel efficient vehicle offered in the US, will soon be gone. As a reminder, the base Ioniq Hybrid started at only $23,600 and averaged 55-mpg combined.
Hyundai says the Ioniq is being phased out as the Ioniq EV sub-brand starts to take shape with the Ioniq 5 and recently-announced Ioniq 6. The company also has a full lineup of hybrid vehicles, including the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, and Santa Fe.
