Picking the right car for Plano isn't just about what looks good. It's about what works in our brutal heat, whether it can handle stressful traffic jams, and what your family needs for daily life. Our team at Huffines Hyundai in Plano looks at the 2026 Hyundai lineup, matching you with the perfect car for your busy Texas life.
​
Understanding Plano's Unique Driving Conditions
Your car endures difficult conditions in Plano. The Dallas metro area can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit from June through September. You need solid air conditioning (AC), heat-resistant seats, and materials that won't crack under the Texas sun.
Fort Worth ranked No. 10 on Forbes' list of hardest commutes, with an average commute time of nearly 27 minutes. Gas mileage, comfort, and safety tech all matter on I-35E. Strong brakes, advanced collision warnings, and top safety ratings help with construction zones and aggressive drivers. With few walkable Plano neighborhoods, your car choice matters.
2026 Hyundais for Texas Drivers
The 2026 Hyundai lineup has something for everyone. The new ELANTRA comes with a 2.0-liter engine generating 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque with an Intelligent Variable Transmission. The sporty N Line jumps to a 1.6-liter turbo making 201 hp and 195 lb-ft through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Five trims (the SE, SEL Sport, SEL Sport Premium, Limited, and N Line) cover daily driving needs.
The VENUE is a small SUV with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making 121 hp. It gets 29 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. The SONATA brings sedan comfort with multiple powertrain options. The TUCSON and SANTA FE offer SUV height and space that your family may want. The PALISADE delivers three rows of seating and luxury touches without Genesis pricing.
Hyundai's got the awards to back it up. Out of 38 brands, it earned the 2025 Best SUV Brand title from U.S. News & World Report. The TUCSON has won Best Compact SUV for Families four years straight. It also snagged six awards in the 2025 Best Cars for Teens categories, its fourth year in a row with the most vehicles on the list. Every 2026 Hyundai comes with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Top 2026 Hyundai Models Ranked for Plano Driving
Rating cars for Plano driving means thinking about how the AC handles August heat, whether there's room for all your sports gear, and how to manage your commute efficiently.
Best Overall: The 2026 Hyundai TUCSON
The Hyundai TUCSON, starting at $29,200, offers efficiency, capability, and value. Its 2.5-liter engine produces 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel-drive versions achieve 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive (AWD) variants get 24 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. The hybrid AWD TUCSON hits 38 mpg with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and electric motor combination producing 231 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Safety tech is key. The 2025 TUCSON earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and standard SmartSense driver-assistance systems include safe exit warning, rear occupant alerts, driver attention warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision prevention.
Best for Families: The 2026 Hyundai SANTA FE
If you have kids or carpool duty, the SANTA FE's seven seats will come in handy. The third row is a game changer for growing families, and legroom is generous — 44.4 inches up front, 42.3 inches in the middle row, and 30 inches in back.
This Hyundai three-row SUV packs a punch with its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine generating 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The XRT trim's 4,500-pound towing capacity handles bigger boats or campers. Cargo room is flexible, with 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79.6 cubic feet with the second row down.
The 2026 SANTA FE also earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. Prices start at $34,800, with the SEL Hybrid at $38,440.
Best for Commuting: The 2026 Hyundai SONATA
If you're in Dallas-Forth Worth traffic daily, the SONATA might be a great choice. Its standard 2.5-liter engine produces 191 hp, and the hybrid pairs a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor for 192 hp that has great fuel efficiency. For a sporty feel, the N Line's 2.5-liter turbo kicks out 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
One of Hyundai's most fuel-efficient vehicles, the gas-powered Hyundai SONATA gets 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The hybrid reaches 44 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, and the N Line manages 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Tech features include a 12.3-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available 12-speaker Bose audio system. The trunk's 16 cubic feet easily accommodates gym bags and groceries.
Best Luxury Option: The 2026 Hyundai PALISADE
The 2026 PALISADE offers luxurious touches without fancy pricing, including nappa leather seats, quilted door panels, twin 12.3-inch screens, and an Ergo-Motion driver seat on Calligraphy models. Wireless charging with cooling keeps phones temperate in the July heat.
This large SUV features standard eight-passenger seating or captain's chairs with relaxation seats in the front and second rows. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine or a new 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, and there's enough towing capacity — 5,000 pounds for gas models and 4,000 pounds for hybrids — for boats or work trailers.
Prior models have earned five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Prices start at $39,435, less than comparable luxury brands.
Find Your Perfect 2026 Hyundai in Plano
The knowledgeable team at our Hyundai dealership in Plano, Texas, understands what matters for your busy family. To see these 2026 Hyundais up close, swing by our dealership to check out the lineup, take a test-drive, explore financing options, and discover the right new Hyundai for you.
