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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  Best Looking Mid-Size Sedan - The Fluidic Design - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ruben Saldana - October 10 - 11:26 am

  I believed this was the last batch of 2016 inventory of the fluidic design Elantra, before they introduced the 2017 new look. For me I still preferred the fluidic design because it can easily be identified as originally Hyundai design. Like it has its own trademark which really became famous in the auto industry, where other car manufacturer tried to copy but nothing came close to it. Aside from its looks of course, is the performance which is highly rated as well, plus the comfort and safety of the car. On top of that with Hyundai 10 year power train warranty, where else can you go wrong in choosing this car. Its really an excellent investment.

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  First full year - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By jimbeaumi - October 10 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 GLS 5-speed rolled 15K shortly after turning a year old July 9. This car has performed wonderfully during its first four seasons here in Michigan, with only oil changes and tire rotations. No mechanical problems, no recalls. Interior is very comfortable, HVAC is incredibly efficient, audio is good, and it is still very fun to drive. Two very minor but persistent noises (a buzz, a rattle) are present in my vehicle, noticeable only because the interior is otherwise very quiet. This has been my best car thus far. Happy!!

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  2017 Hyundai Elantra too much too little - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By gary knott - October 9 - 10:54 pm

  1. The raised center console gets in the way when shifting, and when just driving. 2. I dont want keyless doors and trunk, and there is no option for "manual". 3. The electronic odometer/etc. is too cluttered and mult-purpose. give me one spot for each function and minimize "cute" inscrutable" symbols. 4. Tire pressure sensors are great, but tell me the actual pressures when I "ask" to see them. 5. Ditto with engine coolant temp. give me the number in Farenheit. (You could add an oil temp output too.)

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  Overall Excellent Value - Very Happy! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mark G. - October 9 - 5:30 pm

  Weve had the Tucson for one week. Traded in 2005 Ford Escape. Checked out VW Tiguan and Honda CRV. Tucson design inside and out won in our book. Interior fit and finish is excellent and options for the money are fantastic. We have 600 miles on the vehicle so far. Hwy. MPG=29.1 and mix city/hwy.=25.2. We think the ride comfort is good compared to other models tested. Transmission is excellent - very smooth six speed makes the four cylinder engine suprisingly snappy. Steering responsiveness seems right on as well as turning radius. Again for the money this seems like an excellent investment considering AWD, heated leather, navigation, panoramic sunroof and overall vehicle design.

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  Best - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By brittany - October 9 - 5:23 pm

  My dad bought a 2001 Tiburon for me in 2003 I thought it was so cute and there arnt that many on the road. It gave me a little trouble but only because the person who had it befor me didnt take good care of it! I wouldnt trade it for the most expensive car in the world.

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  Like this car - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Tom - October 9 - 11:30 am

  I agree with the inconsistency of the transmission, and have had some difficulties with it. With the 10 year, 100,000 mile guarantee, Im not worried. I had an XG 300, which required a new transmission. It was replace, and didnt cost me anything. The price of the car for the luxury you get is well worth it.

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  Must test drive - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tony - October 8 - 6:23 am

  I never thought we would consider buying a Hyundai product. On the way to look at Toyotas we test drove a loaded 2005. Good ride, good standard equipment. good build quality and best warranty as well as saving thousands over the competition. Best Buy!

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  just a great car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By jberrer - October 8 - 12:30 am

  This car replaced my chevy avalanche for reasons of fuel economy. I opted for the hatch to still be able to carry a few things. Im not comfortable in many cars because of my 63" frame but even on long trips this car has been very comfortable. Fuel economy has been excellent with about 31.5 mpg combined. The build quality is excellent and even though this is my first Hyundai, it will not be my last. I would recommend this car to anyone needing a practical and economical commuter that still has a lot of luxury features.

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  Amazing car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By sozar - October 7 - 3:10 pm

  This is the third Hyundai I have owned, going back to 2003. These cars just keep getting better, but I am really stunned at the quality of this car, the value for the price, and the performance. We opted for the SE turbo model, and the fact that this car is pushed along with such authority by a 2 LITER engine that gets 23/33 mpg is really almost hard to fathom. This car gives you everything: family practicality, safety, beautiful design, and it is very, very quick. The interior is comfortable, functional, and impeccable in its construction. I gave it a five for reliability (hard to give a score in that category after 110 miles) because my two previous Hyundais were fives; very reliable.

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  ACCORD OR SONATA? - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By william - October 7 - 11:46 am

  I look at the honda accord and i was ready to buy it till my coworker brought a 07 hyundai elantra and i was shocked at how nice it was inside and outside . enough to make me go check it out but when i got to the hyundai dealer i saw the sonata gls xm with a 4 speed auto triptonic with heated mirrors, am fm xm cd mp3, power winders, power mirrors, cruise, tlit,maplights, 6 airbags, and sunglass storage and remote keyless entry, plus the alarm, tire warning pressure all just for 18,445 dollars and by the timne i brought it it came to 19,245 dollars..for the accord i would had got a alot less things and no auto.. anyways i am more then happy with my buy and would advise anyone to buy it