Which Hyundai Car Would Santa Choose This 2023 Holiday Season?

2023 Holiday Special: Santa Gets New Wheels

Santa struggled to get on his feet, surrounded by the wreckage of his once-majestic sleigh. The iconic wooden sleigh, handcrafted by ancient snow elves, was passed down through successive Santa generations since the days of ol’ Saint Nicholas. For centuries she had flown straight and true, leading Santa to ponder if perhaps the Reindeer had mistaken his secret stash of Jagermeister for Coca-Cola, affecting their flight performance. He would ask Rudoplh, but alas, the force of the impact reduced Rudolph to a lonely red nose amidst the debris.

With a deep sigh, Santa surveyed the depressing crash site. It was a blistering cold night, and his pained breathing quickly fogged up his cracked spectacles. “Darn…those were favorite Ray Bans” he muttered. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he realized he was in the showroom of “Safford Hyundai Fairfax,” currently closed for Christmas. A stroke of luck, Santa mused, for Fairfax, VA was the last stop on his itinerary. And as the Fates would have it, he crash-landed into Fairfax Virginia’s highest-rated Hyundai dealership.

Facing a time crunch, Santa decided to borrow a vehicle from the dealership to complete his annual mission. Surely, Safford Hyundai Fairfax wouldn’t mind the temporary loan for such a noble cause? Only one question remained, however: which car to choose from the array of new Hyundai vehicles?

1. 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5

Santa grinned, captivated by the IONIQ 5’s retro-futuristic design. Nestled between a hatchback and crossover, this electric SUV boasts a spacious 59.3 ft³ of cargo space and a seating capacity of 5 passengers—an ideal fit for the remaining Christmas gifts. Additionally, the IONIQ 5’s efficient range of 303 miles easily covers all of Fairfax, Virginia. With standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is effortless, especially with the available Bose Premium Audio System.  In the end, Santa determines that the IONIQ 5’s blend of versatility, speed, range, and space makes it the perfect choice for tonight’s delivery run. Come to think of it, Santa remembered reading about the 600+ horsepower 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, a performance variant of the IONIQ 5. He’ll definitely put that on his 2025 holiday wishlist.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Highlights

• Max Horsepower: 320 Horsepower
• Max Torque: 446 lb-ft torque
• Max Range: 303 Miles
• Charging Time: About 18 Minutes
• Highway Driving Assist
• Remote Smart Parking Assist

2. 2024 Hyundai PALISADE

Santa immediately recognized the Hyundai PALISADE. After all, the family SUV was a familiar sight in the garages of many homes he visited tonight. Awarded Best 3-row SUV for the Money by US News, Best Large Utility Vehicle by Motorweek Drivers’ Choice Awards, and Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice, the PALISADE’s popularity is well-deserved, it seemed. With three rows of passenger space and an impressive 86.4 ft³ of cargo capacity, it could just be the perfect SUV for delivering presents to Fairfax, VA families. Not only that, the PALISADE is exceptionally safe, earning a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS—the highest safety rating that can be achieved. Advanced features like Highway Driving Assist II, offer Level 2 autonomy, ensuring a stress-free driving experience for Santa’s deliveries.

2024 Hyundai PALISADE Highlights

• Passenger Volume: 155.3 ft³
• Interior Volume:  173.3 ft³
• Max Cargo Volume: 86.4 ft³
• Seating Capacity: 7-8 Passengers
• 291 Horsepower/ 262 lb-ft torque

3. 2023 Hyundai ELANTRA N

Santa recalled the debut of the Veloster N, the spirited hot hatch that once ruled Virginia streets. Unfortunately, Hyundai discontinued the performance hatchback, and used market pricing has been less than favorable. In its place, Hyundai introduced the Elantra N, a performance sedan featuring a 250+ horsepower turbocharged engine and a swift 4.8-second 0-60 mph time. While its 14.2 ft³ trunk may not be the most spacious for Santa’s deliveries, the Elantra N compensates with ample rear seats for additional cargo space. Packed with features like bucket seats, an 8-Speed DCT, and a linear variable exhaust valve system, opting for the track-ready Elantra N would undoubtedly help Santa complete his deliveries ahead of schedule.

2023 Elantra N Highlights 

• 2.0L turbo GDI 4-cylinder
  276 Horsepower/289 lb.-ft. torque
  25 Combined/22 City/31 Hwy
• N Mode and Launch Control
• N Corner Carving Differential (eLSD)
• Available N Grin Shift (DCT Only)
• Variable exhaust valve system with dual outlets

Santa reached into his bag of presents and pulled out a wad of cash. The money was originally for Mrs. Santa’s gifts, but desperate times call for desperate measures. She’d understand…hopefully.  Santa flipped through the crisp benjamins, counting each bill. “10, 20, 30, 40, 50…” With a heavy thud, Santa tossed the stack of cash onto the reception desk. Sure, $100,000 is way over MSRP, but hey, it’s Christmas. In a rush, Santa unlocked the vehicle, ignited the engine, and with a grin, accelerated out of the dealership, leaving a trail of smoke and festive “ho-ho-hos” in his wake. Christmas was officially back on track, baby.