Hyundai in Ireland: Santa Fe, Tucson and the Hydrogen Future

Hyundai has come a long way in Ireland in recent years. While some might still lump the brand in with Asian rivals like Toyota or Kia, the Koreans have long since built up a loyal following here. Their SUVs, particularly the Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Santa Fe, have become a common sight on Irish roads. But Hyundai wouldn't be Hyundai if they weren't also looking ahead to the future of mobility – and that's where hydrogen comes in.

If you're in the market for a Hyundai Santa Fe at the moment, you're in luck. The used car market is absolutely flooded with them. It's no surprise really, as many were used as company cars or came off lease agreements and are now hitting the forecourts. The hybrid versions are particularly sought after. The blend of a fuel-sipping electric motor with that spacious interior makes the Santa Fe a genuine rival to the premium German SUVs. And you're often talking about a much keener price than the competition. I had a look at one myself recently – the spec was hard to fault: leather seats, a large sat-nav, plenty of driver assists. It makes you wonder why you'd ever buy a brand new car.

But it's not just the Santa Fe turning heads. The Hyundai Tucson, its smaller sibling, has been one of the brand's best-sellers for years. It's perfectly in tune with what people want right now: compact dimensions but loads of space, a modern design, and a wide choice of engines. Again, Hyundai is big on electrification – the Tucson is available as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. For a lot of families, it's the top choice for a reliable everyday car.

So, what makes the current crop of used Hyundai deals so attractive? A few things stand out:

• Generous standard kit: Even the basic trims often came with automatic climate control and a decent infotainment system – that's a real bonus on a used car.
• Hybrids are having a moment: More and more Santa Fe and Tucson models hitting the market are hybrids, which is great for fuel economy and helps hold their resale value.
• The warranty perk: A lot of these used cars still have time left on that famous long Hyundai factory warranty – a nice bit of peace of mind.

But the Hyundai Motor Company – and indeed the whole Hyundai Group – is thinking further ahead. While most manufacturers are going all-in on battery electric cars, the group is sticking with the fuel cell. The hydrogen strategy isn't just lip service: they already have a production model, the NEXO, on the roads, and development is continuing at pace. Industry insiders are suggesting the next generation of the Santa Fe, or maybe even a dedicated hydrogen SUV, is in the pipeline. One thing's for sure: Hyundai genuinely believes in the future of hydrogen, especially for commercial vehicles, but also for private buyers who do high mileage and don't have the time for long charging stops.

So, whether you're looking at a brand new Tucson or a used Santa Fe Hybrid, you're not just getting a solid, dependable car – you're getting a slice of future tech, too. The Koreans have figured out that mobility needs to come in different forms – and that's exactly what's making them so successful here in Ireland.