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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  love it - 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By tgainey - November 16 - 12:07 am

  I love my sonata hybrid. This is the first time I have owned a hybrid. I love it. The dealership made the buying experience painless. Because of my awesome experience with the first Hyundai is why I decided to return to Ron Carter for this replacement.

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  Looking for a Chrysler bought a Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By BigTexToo - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car over a Chrysler. Went to the "wrong" section of the dealership and figured what the heck, well look while were here. Had a test drive, great! Didnt make it to the Chrysler section! wasnt necessary. Looks of this car are superb. Nice feel behind the wheel, drives well. Price and options are incomprable. Anyone with a budget in mind should consider one of these cars.

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  My First Real Lemon - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By H - November 13 - 3:05 pm

  I am very disappointed in the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited. My main concern is the acceleration issue particularly when one needs to make a left turn within an intersection or simply escape an unforeseen incident. I purchased the car new in May 2016 so there usually isnt any cause for alarm from a new car however this problem is such a cause. I have been driving it back and forth to work and traveling long distances for recreation so I have put it to the test. Yet, I am not happy, to say the least, that my car balks upon pressing the gas pedal from a stopped position. I am placing a compliant with my dealership but more importantly, I will contact the area manager to file my compliant. This is really a safety manner as I do not feel safe when I am placing myself at risk by possibly having an accident as a result of the cars poor construction.

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  2002 owner - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By tomwun - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is a great car for the price.

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  OUTSTANDING VALUE!!! - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By GP MANDIS - November 12 - 2:00 am

  ROCK SOLID AFTER 30K IN ONE YEAR! THE BASE 4 CYL IS AMPLE POWER. I TRAVEL 710 INTERSTATE MILES EVERY WEEKEND, AND ONLY DRIVE 30 MILES M-F IN TOWN. I LIKED IT SO MUCH, THAT WE ARE NOW 2 HYUNDAI FAMILY (SANTA FE FOR THE WIFE)! WHAT A VALUE - 13150 OUT THE DOOR!

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  Try It Youll Like It - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Steve - November 11 - 10:30 pm

  My last 3 trucks Ive owned were GM 4x4. I looked at the new Envoys and Yukons and finally the Tucson.Well, as far as price...Tucson won.As far as Warranty...Tucson won.As far as gas mileage...Tucson won...As far as looks...Tucson won...

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  What a car for the money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By wkarbiwnyk - November 11 - 11:16 am

  Handles nicely, power when you need it. I am a big person and found the interior very roomy both getting in with easy, and although it is a center console, I found seating roomy. Havent taken a long trip yet to see how fuel efficient it is on the highway, perhaps this weekend. My wife was glad to get away from premium fuel. Bought the extended bumper to bumper warranty, so now I have a 10 year plus the dealer is a short drive from us. I got tired trying to deal with american car sales people, seemed to greedy. So far happy with the car.

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  What A Lemon!!!!!! I will never own another Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kylemack - November 11 - 7:16 am

  I have had 3 transmissions replaced, timing belt, power window motors replaces... and not to mention all the cheap little plastic parts braking and cheap chrome pealing off. Not only does this tin can want to make me never own another hyundia agian but makes me want to just ride a bike. OH And The Side airbag went off while i was driving down the road, no accident or anything. I called hyundai and they said it would all be out of my pocket to fix and that I should call my insurance and insurance said they cant do anything about it because there was no accident. Hyundai support was a bunch of run arounds and not helpful at all. I will never buy another Hyundai. What a money pit!

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  Update - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By DonPat - November 10 - 3:40 pm

  I now have over 1200 miles on my Tiburon, and thought Id give an update. I finally broke in the engine, and starting at about 500 miles, my usable power increased dramatically. The engine now responds much more quickly when I hit the accelerator. The car is listed at 17 mpg in the city. That is what I get. It is listed at 23 mpg on the highway, but on a recent trip I got over 30 mpg at 75 mph. I still wish the GT Limited had an available 6-speed manual, or at least a 5-speed auto.

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  Terrible Dealer Support - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Don - November 10 - 3:10 pm

  Fun car to drive, purchased for kids to use. Fuel Gauge went bad, also problem with odometer electronics, within a month period odometer went from 19k+ skipped the 20s and 30s and went to 40k, neither Hyundai nor dealer would take care of it. I had canceled the extended warranty 6 months prior and funished Hyundais cust. service dept in Irvine with notarized statement of mileage at that time at approx 11k. I had owned prior Hyundais with no issues approx 10 yrs prior.They always took care of the consumer. I guess now they are to big. I have purchased 3 new cars in the past 3 months non a Hyundai and never will buy another.They will never be equal to Mazda or Honda with this lack of service