There’s practically a Hyundai for every Filipino
With the launch of the all-new 2026 Hyundai Venue earlier this month, Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has finally returned to the local subcompact crossover stakes.
Taking on the hot-selling Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet, the South Korean contender vies for the hearts of minds of first-time car buyers looking for more utility and practicality than traditional sedans and hatchbacks. And with a starting price of P778,000, the Venue will also appeal to value-oriented motorists who are looking to downsize.
Just three years after HMPH took over Hyundai’s local passenger-car operations, the carmaker has quickly built a comprehensive lineup of vehicles to suit almost every taste and budget. Here’s a quick look at a few Hyundai models and why these are so popular.
Stargazer/Stargazer X
The Hyundai Stargazer and Stargazer X multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) undoubtedly wield mass appeal, going toe-to-toe with the Honda BR-V and Toyota Avanza/Veloz.
That’s why this duo was HMPH’s best-selling model in 2024, with almost four times the sales of the Hyundai Staria van. This is because even with seating for seven and generous ground clearance, you still get car-like driving dynamics, thanks to its 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline and Intelligent Variable Transmission.
Prices start at P1,068,000 for the Stargazer GL IVT and go all the way up to P1,348,000 for the Stargazer X with its added ride height and more luxurious features.
Elantra
Although traditional four-doors aren’t as widespread as they used to be, HMPH is still out to take on the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic.
The Elantra has a long and rich history in the Philippines, going as far back as the 1990s (remember the works Elantra touring cars of Mike Potenciano). Nowadays, this South Korean four-door still has a 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline engine in three flavors, starting with the GL STD and GL 6AT with 126 horsepower and 155 Newton-meters of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
There’s also the electrified HEV GLS and HEV Premium packing a combined 139 horsepower and 264 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Finally, the turbocharged Elantra N Line gets a hearty 201 horsepower and 265 Newton-meters of torque, along with a 7-speed DCT.
And for the ultimate sedan, there’s the flagship Elantra N with its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline engine pumping out 276 horsepower and 392 Newton-meters of torque. With an electronic limited-slip differential and a reinforced chassis, the Elantra N does 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Kona
Making another comeback this year is the distinctive Hyundai Kona, which is now available solely with hybrid-electric power.
Like the Elantra HEV, the Kona HEV gets a 1.6-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor for a combined output of 139 horsepower and 265 Newton-meters of torque, which are coursed through a 6-speed DCT.
Getting the Premium models means goodies like a sunroof, a 64-color mood lamp and the Hyundai Smartsense adaptive driver-assistance system. With prices starting at P1,528,000, the Kona HEV goes directly against similarly sized rivals like the Toyota Yaris Cross HEV and the Honda HR-V e:HEV.
Staria
The family van is a segment where Hyundai has long been a household name.
Starting out with the likes of the Hyundai Grace and Hyundai Starex, the South Korean carmaker has spent the last 30 years becoming a fixture among Filipinos who need to carry their friends, loved ones and all their stuff in one trusty vehicle. This fine tradition continues to this day under HMPH with the spectacularly styled Hyundai Staria.
Under its petite hood is a punchy 2.2-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 turbodiesel producing 175 horsepower and 430 Newton-meters of torque. Prices start at P1,850,000 for the 11-seater Staria Commuter and go all the way up to P3,030,000 for the Staria Premium+ AWD with its palatial seven-seat, leather-lined cabin.
IONIQ 5
If you thought that battery-electric vehicles (EV) were the sole playground of Chinese carmakers, you should know that HMPH is also in this space.
The IONIQ 5 looks like something from the year 2040, but it’s here to cater to Filipinos who want to separate themselves from fossil fuels and their tempestuous price changes. There are two variants – the Standard Range models have a 63-kWh battery pack and a 168-horsepower electric motor, with a maximum range of 440 kilometers.
Then, there’s the GLS Long Range with an 84-kWh battery and a 226-horsepower electric motor, promising a maximum of 530 kilometers on a single full charge. And if you want the ultimate in EV performance, the IONIQ 5 N sends 600 horsepower and 740 Newton-meters of torque through all four wheels.
And if you use the N Grin Boost mode, the output temporarily jumps to 641 horsepower and 770 Newton-meters, providing a 0 to 100 km/h time of a supercar-level 3.4 seconds using the N Launch Control. Top speed is set to 260 km/h.
With HMPH’s comprehensive vehicle lineup, which Hyundai fits your fancy?
