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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  All my friends say "WOW" - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Tommy - January 10 - 8:56 am

  I get questions every day about this car! People cant accept the fact that Hyundai made a beautiful car. From the Luxury features: Rain Sensing wipes, power folding mirrors, power adjustable foot pedals, 10 speaker system, Memory seats. To the Safety features: Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System and Anti-lock Braking System and also loaded with airbags. 2 front airbags, 2 front side airbags, 2 roof airbags, 2 rear side airbags. 8 Airbags is impressive. It also comes with a nice 3.8 L V6. The exterior is also sweet, the L.E.D tail lights look really nice at night and ver y bright. If you want a car that will turn heads, impress your friends. Buy the Hyundai Azera.

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  I Love My Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Michelle - January 10 - 4:16 am

  My 2006 Sonata is everything that I had hoped for (except only getting 17 mpg). It is a great family car. Lots of room. Huge trunk. Remote keyless entry makes it so much easier. Built in security system. Great sound system. All of this and I am riding in style.

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  2016 Tucson Limited w/ ultimate package - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By douglas rando - January 9 - 12:15 am

  This is my second Hyundai I sold my 2008 Santa Fe because I wanted all the toys This cat has it all and then some. This review is for the top of the line Limited with the Ultimate Package. Love the 7 speed dual clutch transmission. The engine has great acceleration in sport mode. Sound great too. Huge Panoramic Roof.

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  Love this car! - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By blantzy - January 8 - 11:09 pm

  I love the look of the car - I have the orange one. I like how fast it accelerates and it gets good gas mileage. The technology on it is pretty cool - like satellite radio and bluetooth and being able to remote start the car. The heated seats are a plus, and it has keyless entry so I never need to fumble for my keys to get into the car. The keys just stay in my purse. One problem I had immediately after leasing it is that the sound system would make a vibrating rattling sound when Id turn on the radio at a medium to high volume.

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  Excellent SUV - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dutch - January 8 - 9:46 pm

  The impression from the inside is that of a larger vehicle, but the 09 Santa Fe handles extremely well, even in poor driving conditions. Plowed through 18+ inches of snow w/out a problem. Outside appearance resembles higher end SUVs, so it doesnt feel cheap. You end up getting a quality vehicle that looks expensive and drives equally as well for less $$$ than the competition. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  delundai - 2017 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Joseph Briggs - January 8 - 5:16 am

  Good vehicle for the price and 0.00% interest

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  PLEASE FIX THE CLUTCH BITE!!! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By mindalee - January 7 - 6:16 am

  I am a woman who lives in the mountains and drives extreme roads daily. I bought the manual to have more control in the winter and have been a Hyundai owner for 6 years. I love many of the features (headlights, xm, extra ports, roomy everywhere) but I am having a horrible time with the clutch! I have driven manual my whole life(since I was 8!) Never had this much trouble. It stalls going out of my driveway, in intersections and I feel like I have to rev it to keep it going. Even stalls in 2nd gear around corners. Something is not right. I am really happy with everything else so far, but the clutch thing is driving me nuts!

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  great car, questionable warranty support - 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By putz5 - January 6 - 6:17 pm

  this car has the same issue my 2.0t sonota did (same Turbo) and Hyundai is still turning a blind eye to the issue saying it is "normal" such a great looking car, shame it sounds like a dodge K car with no oil

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  Throttle problems - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ned - January 6 - 9:50 am

  My throttle has stuck on multiple occasions. Dealership has no idea of cause. I have eliminated cruise control and floor mat possibilities. The automatic transmission occasionally drops down two gears at a time causing a sudden deceleration and alarming thump when letting of gas and gently applying brakes. other than this, it is the best car I have ever owned. Incredible gas mileage when using cruise control and gasoline without ethanol. (31 mpg) from a 260 hp v6. Handles like a sports car. rides like a caddy.

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  There are better cars for the price! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Sean Roney - January 6 - 8:10 am

  I have owned my car for about 3 years and I have to say it is a good looking car that has the looks of the European sport cars that we all want. The car has the ability to turn head and put smiles on peoples faces but it also can be an expensive vehicle to maintain and after owning it for a year or more you learn that you are paying for looks and nothing else. The cams are already ticking at 41000 miles, people are talking about their clutches going out, the car eats tires since most of the weight is in the front, gas should better, performance is not as good as some 4 cylinder cars, the V-6 is pretty weak for how big it is, and the interior feels very cheap with its lack of refinement.