Experienced car shoppers can confirm that the estimated maintenance cost of a vehicle is an essential element to consider when shopping for a new or used car. Not all brands or models are created equally.

Thus, it’s important to research average annual maintenance costs before making a purchase. So, how does Hyundai fare? According to RepairPal, one Hyundai model stands as the one with the highest annual maintenance costs in its brand, and it’s not an SUV. Here’s a look. 

A look at the Hyundai brand’s annual repair costs 

While headquartered out of Seoul, South Korea, the Hyundai brand is known around the world for producing reliable vehicles with high performance and an affordable price tag. According to Repair Pal, the Hyundai brand has received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars which is above average. In addition, out of all 32 car brands ranked in Repair Pal’s rating system, Hyundai ranks 4th out of 32 brands.  

Repair Pal also provides a detailed analysis of each brand’s average repair costs, frequency of repair needs, and severity of repairs. Based on the data collected by Repair Pal, the average annual repair cost across all Hyundai models is $468.

The data also shows that the average Hyundai vehicle makes a visit to the repair shop an average of 0.3 times per year compared to 0.4 across all models. When it comes to severity, around 10% of repairs on Hyundai models are considered severe. Across all models, the probability of the repair being in the severe category is 12%. 

The Hyundai Equus comes with the highest annual maintenance cost

Out of Hyundai’s thirteen models, the data collected by Repair Pal reveals that the Hyundai model with the highest average annual maintenance cost is the Hyundai Equus. According to Edmunds, the Equus is a full-size luxury sedan produced by Hyundai from 1999 to 2016. The second generation was manufactured from 2010 to 2016. 

According to Repair Pal, the average annual repair cost associated with the Equus is on the higher side, as the sedan averages about $976 in repair costs each year. Some of the more expensive repair costs associated with the Equus are a battery cable replacement that averages around $1,100, a thermostat replacement that averages around $630, and a heater hose replacement that averages around $390.

The Hyundai Scoupe averages the lowest annual maintenance cost

In contrast to the expensive annual maintenance cost of the Hyundai Equus, the Hyundai model with the lowest average annual maintenance repair cost is the Scoupe. According to Edmunds, the Hyundai Scoupe was a small two-door sports car produced by Hyundai from 1988 to 1995. The Scoupe was first introduced to the US markets in 1991. 

According to Repair Pal, the average annual repair costs associated with the Scoupe are impressively low, given the age of these vehicles. The data indicates that the repair costs for a Hyundai Scoupe are currently around $283 annually.

One of the most costly repairs associated with the Scoupe is an engine front cover gasket replacement, with costs around $530. Other common repairs include a windshield wiper motor replacement that costs around $315 and an alternator voltage regular replacement that generally costs around $300. 

Overall, the Hyundai brand is considered to be very reliable and trustworthy by the auto industry and consumers alike. Some of Hyundai’s most popular models in 2023 include the Tucson, Elantra, and Santa Fe.