Hyundai Dominates U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Cars for Teens Awards

Rhea-AI Summary

Hyundai (HYMTF) has secured six category wins in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Cars for Teens awards, leading all automakers for the fourth consecutive year. The company won three new car categories with the 2025 Hyundai Elantra ($25K-$30K), 2025 Hyundai Tucson ($25K-$30K), and 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid ($30K-$35K). In used car categories, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid were recognized.

All winning models feature standard advanced safety technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The vehicles were selected based on crash safety, reliability, advanced driver assistance systems, and critical acclaim, with used models also evaluated for low ownership costs.

Positive

• Recognition as industry leader in teen-focused vehicles for fourth consecutive year
• Strong presence in both new and used vehicle categories
• Standard advanced safety features across all winning models
• Competitive pricing in $25K-$35K range for new vehicles

Negative

• None.

• Hyundai earns more wins than any other automaker for fourth-consecutive year
• Total of six awards—three for new vehicles and three for used models
• From cutting-edge sedans to versatile SUVs, Hyundai continues to deliver attainable, feature-rich vehicles for young drivers

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, U.S. News & World Report lauded Hyundai with six category wins in the publication's annual 2025 Best Cars for Teens awards – the most of any brand. Three wins were for new car categories (out of eight total) and three were earned in used car categories (out of four). This is the fourth-consecutive year that Hyundai has been recognized with more Best Cars for Teens awards than any other brand by U.S. News' automotive experts. These award wins underscore Hyundai's unwavering commitment to offering attainable vehicles with the safety, reliability, and technology that's ideal for young and first-time drivers.

The 2025 Best New Cars for Teens

2025 Hyundai Elantra	Best Car for Teens $25K to $30K
2025 Hyundai Tucson	Best SUV for Teens $25K to $30K
2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid	Best SUV for Teens $30K to $35K

The Best Used Cars for Teens

2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid	Best Used Small Car for Teens
2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid	Best Used Small SUV for Teens
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid	Best Used Midsize SUV for Teens

"We are honored to be recognized by U.S. News as the Best Car for Teens because this award isn't just about specs. It's about trust. Teens want style, tech, and freedom. Parents want safety, reliability, and peace of mind. Hyundai delivers both, without making anyone compromise," said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. "Teens view our vehicles as proud rides, and this award reflects our belief that the next generation deserves great design, smart tech, and real protection right from their very first keys."

"Hyundai's domination of our Best Cars for Teens awards demonstrates its continuing commitment to building affordable, safe and compelling vehicles for drivers young and old," said Zach Doell, editor of vehicle testing, U.S. News & World Report. "All of this year's winners offer top-notch crash scores and safety systems, including an app that can help monitor driving behavior, which should help reassure parents as they hand over the keys. But these winners are also affordable to buy and run. That past new-vehicle winners, like the 2022 Elantra Hybrid and versions of the Tucson and Santa Fe are now Best Used Cars for Teens winners reaffirms their long-term value propositions."

Each Hyundai model recognized by U.S. News & World Report comes standard with advanced safety technologies including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. Many also include teen driver controls and connected features that allow parents to monitor driving habits to help promote safer learning experiences on the road.

To earn a spot on the Best New Cars for Teens list, vehicles must demonstrate exceptional performance in predicted reliability, crash safety, advanced driver assistance systems, and critical acclaim. For Best Used Cars for Teens, vehicles from model years 2020–2022 must also offer strong safety scores, low ownership costs, and enduring positive reviews from automotive experts.

About U.S. News Best Cars
Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings and reviews of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars Awards, including Best Vehicle Brands, Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families. U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car buying journey, offering industry-leading advice for researching cars and finding cars for sale, as well as its U.S. News Best Price Program.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok 

 

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

FAQ

Which Hyundai models won the 2025 U.S. News Best Cars for Teens awards?

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra, 2025 Hyundai Tucson, and 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid won in new car categories, while the 2022 Elantra Hybrid, 2022 Tucson Hybrid, and 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid won in used car categories.

What safety features come standard in Hyundai's award-winning teen vehicles?

All winning models include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning as standard features.

How many awards did Hyundai (HYMTF) win in the 2025 U.S. News Best Cars for Teens?

Hyundai won a total of six awards - three in new car categories and three in used car categories, more than any other automaker.

What criteria were used to select Hyundai's vehicles for the 2025 Best Cars for Teens awards?

Vehicles were selected based on predicted reliability, crash safety, advanced driver assistance systems, critical acclaim, and for used cars, low ownership costs.