5 Hyundai Cars Sold In Pakistan That We REALLY Want In India!

Hyundai is India’s second highest selling carmaker with a portfolio that caters to all. It’s got a small affordable hatchback for the masses, a hot one for the enthusiasts, an SUV for small families, a couple of SUVs for big ones too, and it even has a premium EV on sale. But despite having such a wide spectrum of bodystyles and nameplates, the potential for Hyundai to bring new cars to India is still plenty.

Why? Because it is one of the biggest global players in the industry with n number of cars and it’s only human nature to draw comparisons. So we couldn’t help but drool over a few cars that Hyundai sells in our neighbouring land, Pakistan, but not in India. Here’s the list:

Hyundai Elantra

Price in Pakistan: Rs 63.99 lakh to Rs 69.30 lakh (Rs 19.18 lakh to Rs 20.77 lakh converted to INR)

Car type: Sedan

Engine: 128PS/ 155Nm 1.6-litre NA petrol with 6-speed AT and 156PS/ 195Nm 2-litre NA petrol with 6-speed AT

Not the brand new one, but Hyundai still sells the Elantra sedan in Pakistan. This nameplate was once sold in India as well, before Hyundai discontinued it back in 2022 because of poor sales. It is sold in two petrol options, and the more powerful 2-litre engine was available in India as well. Pakistan only gets petrol options, but we did get a 1.6-litre diesel engine as well. 

If sold in India, the Hyundai Elantra would be a premium alternative to compact sedans like the Skoda Slavia, VW Virtus, and Hyundai Verna. When sold in India, it was a rival to the Honda Civic, Skoda Octavia, And Toyota Corolla Altis. All of these cars are not available in India anymore.

Hyundai Sonata

Price in Pakistan: Rs 99.79 lakh to Rs 1.09 crore (Rs 29.91 lakh to Rs 32.67 lakh converted to INR)

Car type: Sedan

Engine: 156PS/ 192Nm 2-litre NA petrol with 6-speed AT and 179PS/ 232Nm 2.5-litre NA petrol with 6-speed AT

What India has been missing is sedans like the Hyundai Sonata that would bridge that gap between the compact sedan and luxury sedan segment. Still not in its latest guise, but Hyundai does offer the 2020 Sonata in Pakistan, with two petrol engine options.

Just like the Elantra, the Sonata too was once sold in India, before Hyundai pulled the plug on the nameplate after a decade-long stint. It got a facelift in global markets last year and we wouldn’t mind having it here in India, especially in its sharp, performance-oriented N Line guise. If brought here, it would go up against the Skoda Superb and Toyota Camry. 

Hyundai Santa Fe

Price in Pakistan: Rs 1.29 crore to Rs 1.46 crore (Rs 38.67 lakh to Rs 43.77 lakh converted to INR)

Car type: Mid-size SUV

Engine: 228PS/ 350Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid powertrain with 6-speed AT 

The Hyundai Santa Fe is yet another moniker that was once sold in India. It was discontinued in 2017 and the blame went to the sales figures, which were way off the competition, which had biggies like the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. In Pakistan, however, the nameplate seems to be doing just fine as the 4th generation Santa Fe is even locally assembled in Pakistan. 

There’s a new-gen Santa Fe available in global markets as well, and it looks nothing like the SUV we and our neighbours are familiar with.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Price in Pakistan: Rs 2.3 crore (Rs 68.95 lakh converted to INR)

Car type: Electric sedan

Powertrain: 325PS/ 605Nm dual-electric motor with a 77.4kWh battery pack

Hyundai sells both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 electric models in Pakistan. Despite making an appearance at the 2023 Auto Expo, Hyundai hasn’t brought the Ioniq 6 electric sedan to India. It seems ever more unfair when the Ioniq 5 is already being locally assembled here in India, and doing rather decent sales for a niche product. 

The Ioniq 6 is sold as a CBU in Pakistan, and we hope Hyundai brings the Ioniq 6 sooner rather than later. 

Hyundai Staria

Price in Pakistan: Rs 2.3 crore (Rs 68.95 lakh converted to INR)

Car type: Minivan

Powertrain: 325PS/ 605Nm 3.5-litre V6 NA petrol with 8-speed automatic transmission

With a seating capacity of up to 11 people, if there was one Hyundai vehicle to ferry a typical joint Indian family in luxury and comfort, it would be the Staria. Available since 2022, the Staria is sold in Pakistan in a single trim, but Hyundai patented its name in India even before that. However, that paperwork seems to have been resting ever since as there is now news of the Hyundai minivan making its way to India as of now.

If sold in India, it would’ve been a rival to the E6 MPV, and would offer an affordable alternative to the big-league player, Toyota Vellfire.

Takeaway

So the potential for Hyundai to bring new cars to India is plenty indeed. This list was just the cars that Hyundai sells in Pakistan, but not in India. On a global scale, there are so many other vehicles that we want Hyundai to bring to us, including new N Line and N models. Just because you’ve nailed the mass market segment, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and cater to the small demographic of enthusiasts.

Heck, that should give you the leeway to play around even more. We hope you’re listening, or rather, reading this, Hyundai.