Forgotten Hyundai Cars & SUVs in India: Terracan to Sonata

By Aquib Nawab

Car Models

In 2005, Hyundai launched the Getz with petrol and diesel options. Its unique design and powerful 1.5L turbo diesel engine drew attention, but competition from Maruti Swift led to declining sales.

Hyundai Getz

Hyundai Viva

The Hyundai Viva, once a beloved mid-size sedan, still graces the roads today. Yet, the more budget-friendly Accent Viva with its 1.5L diesel engine captured a broader audience's preference.

The fourth generation of the Hyundai Elantra went through several updates and facelifts. Unfortunately, it did not meet market expectations and did not perform well.

4th Gen Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Sonata Gold

Hyundai Sonata Gold, their top-tier luxury sedan, with Mercedes-Benz E-Class inspired headlamps, faced stiff competition from Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, falling short of expectations.

Sonata Embera, with modern design and added features, replaced Sonata Gold. Despite these enhancements, its high price deterred buyers, leading to poorer sales than its predecessor, Sonata Gold.

Hyundai Sonata Embera

Hyundai persisted despite past Sonata disappointments, introducing Sonata Fluidic in 2012. Yet, its Rs 18 lakh price tag, mirroring predecessors, limited its appeal, leading to lackluster sales.

Hyundai Sonata Fluidic

In 2005, the 1st-gen Hyundai Tucson struggled in India. SUVs were unpopular, and a high price hindered its appeal. Its unusual bulky design may have added to its underperformance.

1st gen Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai introduced the Terracan to rival Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner. Despite rich features and a robust 2.9L diesel engine, it failed to gain traction, with various factors contributing to its lackluster reception.

Hyundai Terracan

2nd-gen Hyundai Santa Fe, introduced as a CBU, faced challenges as Hyundai wasn't an SUV brand. Customers linked it to smaller cars like Santro, finding it overpriced vs. Toyota Fortuner.

2nd gen Hyundai Santa Fe

The 3rd-gen Hyundai Santa Fe improved over its predecessor with fluidic design and features, attracting buyers. Still, it couldn't rival the Toyota Fortuner's market dominance despite a high price.

3rd gen Hyundai Santa Fe