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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  Great suv for the money - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kriglv - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I will match this car with any other in its class on all factors: ride, paint, interior feel, quality, handling, reliability, looks, etc. I find it a great car considering the price I paid (very inexpensive) considering all the xtras and the 5 year warrenty.I figure if Hyundai will stand behind its product for 5 years bumber to bumper where not many if any other auto manufacturers will; they must be doing something right.....

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  Wat to go Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By MIKLO - June 30 - 2:05 am

  What a great car,although I dont think its perfect it sure is nice.Although price did enter into my decision on buying it wasnt the only item. My last car was a Cady CTS and was nice car but way overpriced IMO.I got the 6cyl Genesis after testing both I went with the 6cyl and its got plenty of power 4me.I got the package that has everything except backup cam and GPS,4me it wasnt worth the extra money.I find this car so much fun to drive and am amazed at how many ppl stop me and ask questions,I could be a salesman due to my high praise for this car.After buying cars for 40 years this is the first car I have been so fired up about.Cant say enough good things and only have very minor dislikes.

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  living the dream - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Karen Borinstein - June 29 - 9:05 pm

  I love the car I chose. I am very frugal so to me I spent more than I wanted. Love the safety features but wish you did not have to purchase packages to obtain them. I guess you pay for the quality you get. I am happy every time I get in my car to go somewhere. It is a joy.

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  Excellent value - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By sprinty - June 28 - 6:23 pm

  I was skeptical about purchasing a less known name car. The car has performed wonderfully and I have experienced no mechanical problems. The Hyundai people are great for roadside service and questions. I do not work for Hyundai, but I truly am impressed with the warranty and ride. The mileage is great. The car gets up those mountain roads with ease. I would buy another one any time.

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  Great Value - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By SKR - June 28 - 10:36 am

  better packeges at a greater value as compared to honda crv and toyota rav4. Fun to drive.

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  It is a pleasure to drive this car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Gurmeet - June 27 - 4:24 pm

  We bought this as a second car to our first one being MB GL550 and I have to tell you from interior and performance perspective it is comparable but from technology perspective this car is years ahead of MB. Ride is great, acceleration is awesome - mixed freeway, in-town driving is giving us 18.5-19.5 mpg with only 450 miles on it so far

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  Better than expected - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Smithey - June 27 - 2:20 pm

  I bought the vehicle knowing it was a good vehicle because of the hyundai brand. I never thought it was going to be a smooth driving as it is. The ride is amazing it turns heads when i drive by, and i love all the features, well worth the money!!!

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  Look out toyota - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lee reiman - June 27 - 3:56 am

  This car is the best kept secret in the automotive industry.Absolute impeccable quality inside and out.Its very obvious that Hyundai has done its home work and is producing a mid size suv that will compete with high end name plates in its class.I have just recently purchased my first Korean car and can not say enough abouthow happy I am with the purchase.I am very proud of this vehicle.

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  I got a good deal - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Wigglypuff - June 26 - 4:27 pm

  I researched sedans on Edmunds 3 years ago and compare all the foreign cars as well as domestic. Hyundai turned out to be the best deal hands down over ALL OTHER car makers. So I decided from that point forth to buy a Hyundai. I got a great deal from my dealership (below invoice per Edmunds). I have 27000 miles on this car. I havent had any real problems with it (except for the recall). I have since upgraded this car with the factory keyless start system (its awesome). Great fuel economy. I started off getting 27-31mpg. Now Im getting 35mpg. Ive driven this car in treacherous snow conditions and she handled like a breeze. Ill probably update again at 50k miles.

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  10th Birthday and still going strong! - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By mweinmann - June 26 - 7:43 am

  I purchased this car in 2000 when it was one year old. I was looking for an economical, dependable car. This little gem has exceeded all of my expectations. I fit an unbelievable amount of stuff in the back....it is so much larger than it looks from the outside. My fuel bills are less than anyone that I know.....it drives great in snow....and the best part is that I have had to put so little $$$$ in this car!! At ten years old, it is still going strong. Best value I have ever had.