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:

• 

  Excellent Utility Vehicle - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By johansen - August 11 - 4:07 pm

  We purchased the 2013 Sport (5 seater) with the 2.0 turbo, front wheel drive, with the popular and premium packages. The popular package is pretty much standard on all models and the premium adds saddle interior with leather, rear camera, heated front/rear seats, power front seats, etc. Really didnt want to spend the extra 2 grand or so on the premium option but in the end, we decided the package was worth the money. Plenty of interior room, initially my wife was worried it was too large, but after driving it, she realized it didnt feel as large as it appeared. The ride is very solid and comfortable, the turbo gives plenty of oomph, interior is gorgeous, and the quality is excellent.

• 

  Affordable luxuries... - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Rex - August 11 - 2:24 pm

  Its not as sporty as a Mazda 3 nor as popular (not yet) as Corolla or Civic but my Elantra gets the job done with far more than enough safety and luxury features as standard. MPG 33+ on highway @ 65+ MPH. Although it could use more hp ride is quiet pleasing and comfortable on long drives.Build and qualities are up par with the famous 3. Bottom line is the price I paid for this great car...sure saved me a lot to afford to go on long drives for vacations.

• 

  Great vehicle! - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DHP - August 11 - 9:23 am

  I purchased the Santa Fe se v. 6 awd in April 2010 and now have almost 2500 miles on it. I was a little concerned about the gas mileage the first 1000 miles because it seemed low but as soon as it hit about 1500 the mpg jumped significantly. We took a long interstate drive and it averaged almost 25-26 mpg. I live in a city and it now averages about 21-22 which is very good for this size vehicle. Will try it out on a 1200 mile trip next week and see how it does. I will say that I love my Santa Fe. It is very easy for me to drive and it is very comfortable. It has plenty of storage compartments. I dont really have any complaints so far. I will Post a review again in a few more months.

• 

  Great Car - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - August 10 - 9:45 am

  Very economical to operate and maintain, and it uses regular gas!

• 

  Terrific Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike M - August 9 - 9:23 pm

  This has been the most maintenance free car that I have ever owned - hands down. I have 110,000 miles on it and it still rides nice and smooth like the day I bought it. Outside of normal maintenance, the only thing that I have had to replace is a front headlight. The cost to operate this car is extremely minimal. I am passing it on the my daughter and I fully expect to get another 110,000 miles out of it.

• 

  Couldnt ask for better - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jun - August 9 - 7:18 pm

  Buy it, best in its class.

• 

  Great Car! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Danno - August 9 - 1:45 pm

  I purchased a new 2009 Elantra SE, and I absolutely love it! The more I drive it, the more I enjoy it. The 16" Alloy wheels with the Hankook performance tires make the handling awesome to drive. I chose the metallic pearl grey with the rear spoiler and it looks great! I have previously owned two new BMW 3 series, and I in no way feel like I am driving a "poor cousin" of the BMW. I am in no way saying this car is as good as the 3 series, but for the money, WARRANTY, and performance, you cannot go wrong with the Elantra. The economy has changed my purchasing power right now, and I am so glad I made the Elantra my choice. Cash for Clunkers Rocks!

• 

  a true suprise - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By thrilled - August 8 - 2:10 pm

  I bought this car for nothing more than fuel economy. I took a real leap of faith in that I only saw a picture because the dealer had none in inventory, also never test drove the car. When I picked it up it was more than I imagined, it had a great look both exterior and the interior was much better than I thought it would be. Seats and int. Color is beautiful stereo is fantastic XM is fantastic (3 months free ) car drives very well handles nicely and all for 8 out the door. Car has a desert pkg and all floor matsonly complaint is dealership refused to give the $1.49 gas deal. This is a definate surprise never expected this car to be this good. Keep thinking they delivered wrong car

• 

  A great value for the money - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By ssb73q - August 8 - 2:01 pm

  We live in a very hilly region of Western New York State. Economy cars we have owned would always struggle on the hills. The air conditioner would need to be turned off. The Elantra moves smartly up the hills without a struggle and we remain cool. A test drive with the Toyota Corrola showed a lack of power, the Honda Civic on hills was ok, but the dash arrangement was a bit too hokey and the cabin cramped. The ElantraÂ’s clean no- gimmick controls and dash were much more user friendly than the competition. The handling of the Elantra is crisp and the SEs ESC has allowed me to avoid a collision with a deer while moving 55-60 mph. Any other non-ESC car would have been in the collision shop.

• 

  like this car so far - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By R Fritz - August 8 - 12:40 pm

  Shifts smoothly and plenty of pep. Rides and looks like a Volvo. Precise handling,but bumpy ride. Hard seats, but comfortable with 8 way adjustable. Well equipped with even a refrigerated glove box. Quite roomy and a good value. No gas mileage figures yet. Good warrantee, but plenty of exceptions