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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  Oh Yeah - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By KennyMac - June 1 - 6:46 pm

  Incredible car. We just love it. Handles like a dream, and room for plenty of sets of golf clubs in the roomy trunk. And lets face it people, the car looks sexy. I think the Accord and Camry folks better keep an eye on their rear view mirror cause the Sonata has the pedal to the metal and is passing fast.

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  Nice Style, Efficiency, and Reliability - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By BMS - June 1 - 4:36 am

  I purchased my Tiburon new in January of 04. I was initially impressed with the style and features offered on a car in this price range. I know that Hyundai used to build junk but they were attempting to re-brand themselves around 03-04 and I really liked the Tibby then, so I bought one. I love my car. I have over 100,000 miles on it and the only problem I have had is around 40,000 the rotors had to be replaced. I change the oil every 6,500 miles and the car runs great, looks great, drives great, and is so versatile. I love that I can flip the seats down and throw my roadbike in the trunk. Overall, probably the most car you could get for around $16,800. And the new ones are even sexier!

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  Big Value Car - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By MEK - May 31 - 3:23 pm

  Purchased summer 2014 and was last 2013 on the lot. Bought it for $7K off sticker. Has everything I wanted equipment-wise. Nearly 40K miles now with absolutely no trouble. Only drawbacks are marginal power and some road noise at freeway speed. Not one rattle so far. All electronics, including navigation and upgraded stereo, have been flawless. When I calculate mpg, it has been 1-2 less than advertised, but I do drive faster than 65 on the freeway by 5-10 mph. Im about ready to replace OEM tires which have been OK, but likely wont get the same brand---Hankook. All in all I have absolutely no complaints. If still true in another 40K miles I would say its one of the best new cars Ive purchased. Most of them have been Toyota Camrys.

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  best car ever - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By parker1409 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the finest cars i have ever had&and at a great price!

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  Quality - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By 58990173 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Best for the money

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  I Love My Hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By santa fe lover - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Ever since I saw the Santa Fe at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show, I wanted one. I just love the way it looks, small but sturdy. Some of the other small SUVs look like go garts, but the Santa Fe has substance. I drive about 55 miles a day and Im impressed with the gas mileage that I get. I get stopped all the time by people wanting to know how I like it. I have only had it a short time, but I hope it continues to perform the way it does now and I will have it for a very long time. Something that I cant say about the Grand Cherokee and Durango that I used to own.

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  Just pased 15k.... - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By pa commuter - May 31 - 10:00 am

  No real problems so far, auto transmission is great performer, leather is nice, still has new car smell. Nut holding on read spoiler fell off.

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  Great car, not so great speakers - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Earl duChossois - May 31 - 12:35 am

  I wouldnt think in a modern car that speaker quality on the loaded model would be an issue but these speakers are flat. No depth, lots of drop out at high volume. very disappointing. The rest of the car is great.

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  A great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve - May 30 - 9:20 pm

  After driving this automobile over 6000 miles I still havent found any serious problems to complain about. The rear suspension could use some tweaking as the car doesnt handle wash board roads or pot holes well. I drove the car on a 2700 mile trip on interstates, US highways and in city driving. My overall mileage was 31.7 mpg. I have driven the car at over 100 mph and found it very stable. I find the seating comfortable for long trips. I find the acceleration excellent, when needed. I generally drive very conservative, from a stop light I keep the tach below 2500 at each shift and on the road run on cruise control at the speed limit and let the world roll by.

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  Good to have wagon back in Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By J - May 30 - 11:16 am

  I retired a 99 Elantra wagon with over 200 K miles having almost no mechanical problems, but like a lot of cars in the northeast, lots of rust. I was looking for another wagon and was really happy when Hyundai returned to the wagon market with the touring. Ive had the car for a little over 2 months and 4000 miles and am very happy with it. I live in a mountainous area and average 37-38 MPG in mixed speed driving, all 65 mph or under. There is almost as much interior room as the 99 wagon. The seats are comfortable for driving long distances. The Edmunds site was very helpful in purchasing and knowing what price to expect.