Overview & Reviews

A relative newcomer to the American marketplace, Hyundai is a Korean automaker with a product line that has improved greatly over the past decade. Hyundai cars and SUVs provide a high level of content for an affordable price, and are currently backed by one of the industry's longest warranties.

In 1947, Chung Ju Yung founded the Hyundai Civil Engineering Company. Mere months later, the outfit was bombed in the Korean War. However, the company regained its footing to distinguish itself as one of Korea's leading construction enterprises during the 1950s.

By the late 1960s, Chung had turned his attention to the automobile industry. The Korean government at that time believed that it made more sense to import vehicles than produce them domestically, and had made its opinion known. Still, Chung opted to follow his own convictions, and in 1967, he founded the Hyundai Motor Company.

The company quickly established an alliance with one of the industry's oldest automakers, signing a two-year contract with Ford in 1968 to share assembly technology. Hyundai's first car, the Cortina, was created from that partnership. The manufacturer's first car to be designed and built in Korea was the compact Pony (although the car was based on Japanese technology courtesy of Mitsubishi). The vehicle made its debut in 1974, and the following year Hyundai began exporting it to overseas markets.

Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with the introduction of its subcompact Excel. The car was an immediate hit, with its supreme affordability being a primary selling point. More than 100,000 Excels were sold stateside in the first seven months. By 1988, Hyundai had begun to produce cars using its own technology. The midsize Sonata was the first fruit borne of this endeavor.

Unfortunately, Hyundai's nascent image was soon tarnished by the poor durability and reliability of its vehicles. Sales tanked. However, rather than abandon the American market in the '90s, Hyundai chose to invest heavily in new product designs and improvements in overall quality and reliability. In 1998, Hyundai also purchased Kia, another Korean automaker, to expand its business and economies of scale.

It all started to pay off by the start of the new millennium, with the 2001 Elantra in particular showing massive improvements in overall quality, reliability and performance. Other models followed suit and the desirability of Hyundai cars increased sharply. Providing an extraordinarily long warranty period didn't hurt either.

Today's lineup is indicative of Hyundai's complete turnaround. Hyundai has a vehicle for nearly every segment, including the economical Accent subcompact, the popular Elantra compact, the midsize Sonata sedan (also available as a hybrid), sporty Genesis and Veloster coupes and a couple of stylish SUVs. Hyundai has also expanded into the entry-level and premium-level luxury sedan markets with its Genesis and Equus sedans. Having gone from being the butt of late-night TV jokes in the 1980s to a well-respected manufacturer of quality vehicles, Hyundai has created a very inspiring rags-to-riches story.

User Reviews:

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  A Good Car for a Great Price - 1998 Hyundai Accent
  By yaconjo - February 24 - 2:00 am

  The Hyundai Accent is a great little car for the price. It has a secure, relatively quiet and comfortable ride, is great on gas mileage, and has a solid feel and construction. A great second car for local commuting.

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  Pats new love! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Pat Bowden - February 23 - 10:00 am

  I was on Edmunds.com for 4 months before I bought this car. I had just come out of some serious debt and needed a car badly. I didnt know anything about used cars, so that was out. I needed something safe, reliable and easy to handle and basically cheap. This car surpassed ALL of my desires. I love it!

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  I drive a lot and really like my XG-350 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Leo in Indiana - February 22 - 1:53 pm

  I do a lot of highway driving and this has proven to be the most comfortable vehicle Ive ever owned, especially considering the relatively low price. Frankly, I find it on par with my friends Lexus.

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  HOT-HOT-HOT!!!! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By fundriver - February 21 - 9:10 pm

  Had this car one week and I just want to drive it 24/7! My BMW just sits collecting dust now. My husband cannot believe the great handling and power in this car and wants to drive it alot too. It feels great to watch people oogle at my ride and I think I am the only one in the county with one so far. I actually had someone take a picture of it on the road! I was going to purchase the Mustang or Camaro but saw this and could not resist it! I am fully satisfied with my choice.

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  Great Value - minor issues - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Rick B. - February 21 - 4:50 pm

  Love the size, styling, and extra features like visor extenders, telescoping steering wheel, reclinging rear seats and four power outlets that are unexpected on base models. 24 MPG on first tank of gas in mixed city- highway driving (gentle driver). Smooth engine and transmission, adequate power in 2.7 liter. Have heard the 2.7 gets much better mileage than 3.3.

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  Fun and Exciting!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By javanique1 - February 20 - 5:50 pm

  I bought my first Hyundai (Excel) in 1993, & loved it. Then last year (2004) my partner and I purchased a 2004 Sonata & totally love it. So, when my Honda Civic gave out on me, I decided to take a look at the Santa Fe & was not impressed. I then began my research on small SUVs & was not too impressed with what was out there. Then one day I went with a friend of mine, to his Hyundai dealer, & saw the Tucson. Knowing that I didnt care for the Santa Fe I almost didnt look at it. I let my curiosity get the best of me & Im so glad I did. I couldnt believe the room it had in it. I decided to take it for a test drive, it handles so well and drives GREAT! I LOVE MY TUCSON & you will too

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  Tremendous Value - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By srr3306 - February 20 - 4:36 pm

  I traded an Infiniti FX for this car. As a result, I use that as a basis to compare. Cruz has all the luxury features, is quieter, built a little better (so far), has a better ride, and the audio with the the DVD package is the best I have ever heard from a factory. Fuel economy is about the same (disappointing since it is FWD with a six speed, weighs about the same and is a bit slower.) At least it likes regular. Handling is the only negative, but the FX is a unfair comparison. Compared to Highlanders and Pilots, it is fine.

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  Still in Shock - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By IMPRESSED - February 20 - 4:30 pm

  I am a 1st time Hyundai owner. A humbled one I might add. Never even allowed myself to consider this brand. Wanted to move into small SUV and shopped comps at Subaru, Chevy, maz, niss, Dodge, Ford. No one even came close to Hyundais prod and price with awd / auto. Impressed w /the standard options normally reserved for upgrades, 5* consumer reviews, 5* safety, fuel efficiency, space, styling in and out, quality of drive, fab warranty and hassle free buying, great manufacturer financing. While Hyundai is a Korean vehicle, the Santa Fes are built in American factories by Americans. All around I would recommend taking the plunge. A smart buy your not likely to regret

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  Blue 2012 Hyundai Veloster w/ Tech & Style Package - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By mitch_dh - February 19 - 6:36 pm

  I just picked up this car a week ago and boy am I impressed. I traded in my 2005 Saab 9-3 Arc for this car and I have to say the Veloster blows the Saab out of the water. The standard features on this car are substantial from touch screen to blue tooth. Not to mention this car gets up to 40 mpgs on the highway, which is very good. I will say that the only thing that I miss is the speed from my last car, but the Veloster handles extremely wells and grips the road firmly, which I like. So far I am 100% happy with this car and am glad there are companies like Hyundai who understand "value" and honestly try and offer a customer everything at an amazing price point. It is also turns heads.

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  Vapor leaks - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By philld - February 19 - 8:15 am

  Engine light is back on, about the 4th time now that we have taken our Hybrid in for the engine light . It appears every 2 weeks or so. Been told it is due to a Vapor leak sensor that keeps going off, it is adjusted for California emissions standards and they cannot seem to fix this, and the factory does not have an answer. We are on the 6th recall fix, seems the car was released before its time. Need to research the Lemon laws next and waiting for the class action suite.