Hyundai Dominates “Best Cars for Teens” Awards – But Is That Really a Compliment?

Hyundai Motor Company recently celebrated a strong showing in the “Best Cars for Teens” awards hosted by U.S. News & World Report, taking home 7 wins across 12 categories. As the company proudly announced the news, it’s clear that Hyundai views this as a positive milestone. In fact, Hyundai has consistently been one of the top winners in this competition since 2022.

One of Hyundai’s most recognized entry-level models, the Elantra (known in Korea as the Avante), was named Best Car for Teens in the $25,000–$30,000 range. For Hyundai, the Elantra has long been a defining model in the U.S. market — even more so than the Excel, which first helped the company establish a foothold. The Elantra represented a turning point, where Hyundai began to gain recognition not just for affordability, but for quality and performance.

Hyundai’s Tucson SUV followed suit, winning Best SUV for Teens in the same price range, and the Tucson Hybridtopped the $30,000–$35,000 hybrid SUV category. It’s worth noting that the Tucson has now taken this prize three years running — a testament to its staying power among family buyers.

The awards are based on a combination of criteria, including reliability, crash safety, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and reviews from automotive industry experts. Interestingly, the selection process considers both what teens want and what their parents are looking for. Teens tend to focus on style, tech, and a sense of freedom. Parents, however, prioritize safety and long-term reliability — particularly factors like fuel efficiency and warranty coverage. Given Hyundai’s historical focus on high MPG ratings and generous warranties, it’s no surprise they scored well.

Still, this success story raises an important question: Is being known as “the best car for teens” actually good branding?

While Hyundai has been ramping up production and marketing of high-end vehicles — especially within its Genesis line — that doesn’t necessarily mean the brand is perceived as premium. Take Lexus, for example: it’s widely regarded as a luxury brand in Korea, but in the U.S., it’s often considered a budget luxury option. Perception, after all, is everything.

In fact, one could argue that being known as a "teen car" isn’t always a compliment. In South Korea, hatchbacks and compact cars often suffer from cultural stigmas. They’re sometimes unfairly dismissed as “cars for women” or “mom cars,” reflecting a deeper social issue where cars become tools for stereotyping. That kind of attitude still lingers — and it’s not exclusive to Korea.

So while “Best Car for Teens” may sound like a win, it can easily be interpreted as “a cheap car with lots of features stripped out — just good enough for a teenager”. That perception matters.

Consider the Hyundai Excel, once a best-seller in the U.S. It earned a reputation not just as a budget car, but as “the Cheapest Imported car that allowed anyone to own a car” — a phrase used in U.S. media at the time. More recently, Hyundai’s best-selling models have often been praised not for prestige, but for having the best warranty mileage.

These aren’t necessarily bad things — but they are revealing.

Ultimately, Hyundai’s success in this space reflects a smart, practical focus on value, safety, and accessibility. But the company will need to tread carefully if it hopes to move upmarket. Because sometimes, being known as “the best car for teens” is exactly the kind of compliment that sticks — and not always in a good way.