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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  I love it! - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By aha - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for just over 2 years and no problems at all-- I love it! I had intended to buy a used Jetta, but this car stole my heart and I still love to drive it. Its definitely a lot of car for the price. 5 adults fit comfortably, with plenty of room for cargo as well.

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  My Hyundai Audi - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By reverend mikey - April 21 - 12:13 am

  First of all, this car is a BARGAIN right now; I paid much less than Edmunds TMV price; $4,500 under sticker! This is our 4th Hyundai; 3rd brand new. My wife is driving an 07 Santa Fe; loves it. I had an 03 Elantra GT - LOVED that car, but traded it so my wife could have the SF (cry). This Sonata is even better than the GT; incredible power, nice interior styling and comfort (partial leather seats are very comfortable and supportive); and I think the standard stereo/CD is very good. Some call the styling vanilla: I call it Hyundais Sonata Audi (the last Sonata was trying to be a Jaguar - this one succeeds better!). I also looked at the 09 Mazda6 and Malibu LTZ; chose this one.

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  Enjoyable Car Except When Dealing With Hyundai - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By TalkRadioGuy - April 20 - 6:58 pm

  Comfortable cabin with easy to use features for the most part. The different drive modes are nice and there is a noticeable difference in response when using Sport mode, which I prefer. Not sure why but if using Sport mode it reverts back to the default Comfort setting when the car is turned off but if using the Eco mode it will remember that setting. Navigation has proven to be less than optimal, on long trips we still rely on google maps which are better to begin with but have the added feature of real time traffic avoidance suggestions that prove to save much time. I find it odd that the map lights are a bright white (which I like) but the visor lights and rear dome lights are a dim yellow light. The remote start via Bluelink phone app is reliant on a cell link to the car so it has had about a 20% failure rate for me so while it is a nice feature I wish this vehicle also had remote start that could be triggered from the key fob. This is my first vehicle with keyless entry and start and I love that feature, never having to remove the key fob from my pocket to open doors and start the car is wonderful. Because of the push button on the door handles and the auto opening trunk I have never once used the buttons on the key fob. So overall I love the car, but the downside of the vehicle is dealing with Hyundai. I had an initial issue with the Bluelink account setup with which the dealer couldnt figure out and Hyundai was very little help. It took me 6 weeks of calling every 2-3 days to resolve the situation. I also recently scheduled service for the vehicle via the Bluelink app and the factory ordered update to the computer was not performed, it seems that the dealership either doesnt understand the information sent from Bluelink or ignores it. Either way this is a problem being that they want to charge me $100 a year for this feature after the third year. Summary, nice car but absolutely dread dealing with Hyundai. For full disclaimer Ive dealt with Honda for the past 10 years and the difference in service is huge.

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  Value For The Money! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Brandon Stewart - April 20 - 2:16 pm

  For my first ever Hyundai, it drives as great as my Honda Accord V6! I love the exterior design and the interior with its leather trim and blue lights all over. Overall, its a very fun sports car and very affordable...

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  Smart pick - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Dominick - April 20 - 2:26 am

  Great safety package standard, smooth, powerful ride. Nice upgrades. Limited model with power sliding doors and liftgate is great for families with kids and their hands full. Stylish design, roomy interior and great pricing.

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  3.5 litre 4WD GLS - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Steve - April 19 - 5:50 pm

  The Santa Fe has been a great vehicle with no problems. I have owned alot of different vehicles and the fit and finish of the Santa Fe is excellent. Fuel mileage overall has been 21-22 mpg. not bad not great. The price is excellent compared to other simular vehicles.

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Gordon Broussard - April 19 - 11:06 am

  Good Pickup, fun to drive, easy to manuever and a charm around parking lots.

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  Thinks Its a Porsche - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By greendemon - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I have the 99 170hp V6 GLS. When I saw how much bigger the Sonata was than all the other Hyundais on the showroom floor, got in it, then found out it had a stick (not to mention the 100k powertrain warrantee and 20k price) I was sold. Fun to drive, suspension could be more firm for its performance capability, but all in all, nice ride. Like hitting 120 mph in 5th occasionally. Car likes to go fast. I think 99/00 Body style is the best. I would buy another Sonata, if the prices and warrantee stay competitive, and especially if they come up with a V8! I think I will keep this car for as long as it runs, continually upgrading it... kind of like framing the 1st dollar. Go Hyundai!

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  Hard to Believe - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Nanette - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Its amazing that I love this car as much as I do. I have always been a foriegn car owner because the car needs to be able to handle 200K miles in 5-6 yrs. with no major problems. So far my Sonata is living up to it. The engine isnt "peppy"...its powerful! The body and general feel of the car is solid and the handling is smooth and precise. Sincerely thinking about trading in my Mazda 626 to get another Sonata!

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  AWSOME CAR - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By DRIVER - April 18 - 3:40 pm

  I traded in an 06 Honda crv. The 2010 Hyundai Tuscon is an awesome car. This vehicle has it all... Power... Looks... Style, and is fun to drive. I travel 35 miles one way to work, all highway driving. This vehicle makes the ride very pleasant, on the high way the ride is smooth, and stable and quiet. When you have to pass another car it gets up and moves. I loved my Honda but Hyundai has made a believer out of me. I love this vehicle. If your in the market for one take a test drive and you will be hooked. The interior is well done and driver frendly, not to mention it looks awesome, especially at night. Great job Hyundai