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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  Fun to have - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mariano - January 9 - 10:00 am

  The only mistake so far is that the sales person did not mention to my parents is what 20% would end up costing them after five years of payments. Other then that the truck has served us well. It has done great on long trips, and I cant wait to truly take it out this summer.

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  Comfortable & practical, but gas hungry - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jpc477 - January 4 - 1:36 am

  Up until buying my Santa Fe I had always driven the smaller cars (Honda Civic, Mazda Protege). Its a good vehicle & very comfortable inside, but I might end up selling it & going back to a sedan. I expected my gas mileage to go down with it being an SUV, but still thought Id at least average in the low to mid 20s with it being a 6 cylinder and not an 8 & not being that big. However Im averaging 17 to 20 miles to the gallon and thats even with driving very conservatively. The ride is smooth but I find myself being afraid of any sudden moves. Overall its not a bad vehicle but be ready to pay more at the pump if you get one.

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  Loud Ride - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By SM - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely disappointed with my purchase. I traded in a great Veracruz to get better gas mileage and have better interior features. The car inside is fine but the road noise on the highway is overwhelming. I drive 25 miles each way to work, all highway, and am so disappointed with the noise. I actually had the car checked for mechanical problems and found it was the tire noise. The tires they chose for the 18" wheels are so sub par and not inline with a Limited model. The gas mileage is also no where near 30.

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  What have I done? - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Richard - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I was absolutely smitten with this vehicle since the moment I saw it on the lot; it has loads of equipment, is quiet, comfortable, has plenty of power and gets truly excellent gas mileage. However, at 1K miles, the dash began rattling on the right side unmercifully, and then the right door began rattling in the frame. It sounds like something came loose inside the door. This morning, with less than 6K miles on the odometer, while cruising at 65 mph on the freeway, there was a huge BANG from under the hood and the car swerved violently and immediately lost forward speed. I just found out the transmission had "imploded."

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  Elantra Touring great buy - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By mark - December 27 - 6:50 pm

  I traded in my 2000 Elantra for this new Touring. You will like the new improved model. Outside the car it comes with a euro-style which is a much better upgraded than the old Pontiac nose. Inside plenty of room. Seats are very comfortable front and back. Plenty of hiding place for stuff. AC glove box to keep a can of soda cold or medications cool in summer. Radio is great for what you get, it gets the job done. The motor has good pick up for a Wagon, thats what it is. Would like to see a 2.3 or 2.4 liter motor though. Getting 30.7 mi. per gal. Over all good price and ride for a under 20,000 dollar car. Warranty cant be beat.

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  Awesome and It gets the MPG+ - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By hisliving - December 27 - 5:06 pm

  I read all of the Edmunds review. In a very minor way, i saw a small bit ogf the "lurching". Nothing I would not have expected at all...very very minor. I proudly got 38.5 driving to and in the mountains. Upon return, I recevived 42.5 mpg due to less hilly route upon return. Best vehicle coice I have made. Price, value, MPG, comfort and style!! looks awesome!!!

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  No problems - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chuck - December 27 - 2:13 pm

  Our Hyundai Santa Fe has been a remarkable vehicle. We now have 55k on it with the original tires having very much tread left. The only warranty problem was caused by a mechanic not putting an electrical plug back in properly. Weve had no problems at all and we dont buy another car as my wife doesnt want to sell this one. Might give it to our granddaughter next year.

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  Sonata Manual review - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ksven - December 27 - 6:06 am

  Ive had the manual Sonata for six months now and have put 5000 miles on it both city and highway. It is a great deal for what it has to offer, especially in terms of security, warranty and features. Quiet ride on the highway, a lot of space. But! It has no fun factor at all (I guess I was hoping I would find the fun in it, but never did), and the suspension is rather soft. I am not sure about build quality since a number of rattles have been driving me nuts. Stereo system is so-so as well and gas mileage has been disappointing, although I am a very careful driver.

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  Love my Sante Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Arbas - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I love my Sante Fe. Talk about fun to drive. My complaints are that I have yet to get 19 mpg in the city, Accelaration is a little sluggish also, and drivers seat adjustment knobs are awkward to use.

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  Elantra Limited - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By mickees kansas city - December 24 - 11:16 am

  With mine I am having disappointing gas mileage - much lower than was on the sticker when I bought it. Nice style, interior, features, great warranty.