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 car I have ever owned - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Laura Butler - September 17 - 3:40 am

  It is so much fun and roomy. Everyone that rides with me or drives my Sante Fe loves it. I am very happy with it and I dont want anything else. Thank you.

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  NOT SO GREAT AFTER ALL - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By mreyes6868 - September 16 - 11:58 am

  Wanted to buy a mid-sized sedan with good gas mileage. Considered an altima but the interior was much better on the sonata. After hearing about the 10 year 100k warranty and the 35mpg rating I had to have it. The panorama roof, 200hp, and 35mpg were the three main reasons for me buying the car. After one year and 16k miles I am very dissapointed with the quality, performance and gas mileage. The car has had several electrical bugs and the engine sounds horrible. It really doesnt seem to have the 200hp hyundai says it has. I struggle to keep my mpg above 26 mpg going about 65-70mph on the highway with eco mode on. This car is not as good as I thoght it was. Dont fall for hyundais mpg lies!

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  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY - September 16 - 2:46 am

  I wanted a tiby more than anything! I bought it 11 months ago with 30,000 & I have put 18,000 miles on it so far. I have gone through 3 clutches!!!!!!!! Yes, 3 clutches! This is the worse clutch, fly wheel & pressure plate quality I have ever seen. There is no way you can go through 3 clutches in 18,000 miles. I have driven clutches my untire life. I have paid $700 for each clutch. This is the bigest peice of junk I have ever had. I like the looks & style, but that is no good if it doesnt run!!!! now I cant stand foriegn cars!!! I wish I would have bought a Mustang!! And I will be trading this peice of junk in for an AMERICAN MUSCLE!!!!! PS-----DONT BUY THE TIBBY----HORRIBLE CLUTCH!!!

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  A mistake - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dncb777 - September 15 - 7:00 am

  While very excited about my initial purchase based upon reviews, it was only a week later that creaks, squeaks and clunks began to appear. After three trips to the dealer the problems only seem to be growing, and are the kind of problems I do not expect adequate resolution to be forthcoming despite very good involvment from corporate. I suggest staying with Honda or Toyota. They cost more for a reason.

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  You got to own one - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Shaun - September 14 - 10:16 pm

  This car is a very dependable It rides like a mercedes or and very fast -n- swift on turns and stability.I have drivin alot of diffrent brands of cars (Driving new and used cars to auctions around USA)and for this Gls 2006 V6 4 door model it tops the other brands you should go out today and test drive one alone and not with a (dealer) breathing down your neck trying to influence you.Also I realy didnt have this one in common at the time I looked at it but once I test drove it and was amazed the way it handled. Ive owned it for 3 weeks now and not one problem with it .I do like to pick up speed when I take off ,it does very well!

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  Surprised by Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By ITSbigeyes - September 14 - 2:53 pm

  The Hyundai Sonata really surprised me; the ride is fun. I have a 2009 sedan 4 cyl. It is a beautiful green color. I previously owned a 2005 Honda Accord 6 cyl. auto. which was loaded. Unlike the Honda, I do not see one at every light. The feel and drive of the car is excellent. I cannot tell the difference in the drive of the Hyundai and the Honda Accord. I am averaging close to 30 miles on open highway. it take curves the same as a Honda, which is great. It drives drives great. I am looking forward to taking it to South Carolina.

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  Helluva Upgrade from My Old Mans Standby - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By GSuzu - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I kept my Toyota Corolla S for 11-years and it served me with dependability but not a lot of pizazz. When I decided on the Hyundai Elantra, what struck me right off the bat were the headlamps...actually the entire front of the vehicle. It looked almost evil, and that made me feel like a kid again! The head-on view of the car is impressive! The headlamp "guns" definitely illuminates the roadway at night with more than enough brightness. The cavernous trunk has room for my golf clubs AND my fishing equipment, AND my storage bin for cleaning supplies! Getting used to not having to use a key took a while, but the convenience cant be taken for granted. Being in Hawaii, I didnt need the heated leather seats but I may use it when water freezes in our state at 69-degrees! The power seat with lumbar support is a dream. The controls are easy to use and I have nothing but praise for the entire dash. And while I may have lost a bit of MPG, this car MOVES with the 2.0 engine! That more than makes up for the 3-4 MPG I lost. When I step on the accelerator, I am pushed back in my seat as the car lives up to the SPORT in the name. I used to have a Corolla-S that got laughed at when I lost a drag race with a lawnmower. Truth be told, this old man doesnt need all that power I have at my disposal, but it sure is nice to have. My dealer (Tony Hyundai in Honolulu) has gone out of their way to make this ownership feel like I purchased a luxury car! Getting a $1000 rebate because I purchased the car during a promotion made this even sweeter!

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  09 Genesis...my wish list - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By jerry - September 13 - 3:06 am

  No doubt the best luxury car for the money. Might trade mine in for the V* when it shows up. My wish list. Back up camera (NAV Model) needs to come on faster at start up. Genesis logo remains on the screen too long when put in reverse at start up. I have backed up 10 feet before the screen goes to back up.

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  Excellent Overall Value - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Don - September 13 - 2:03 am

  I spent over 6 months scrutinizing and driving all brands, including Honda and Toyota, and was very impressed by the Elantras build-quality. If one looks carefully, and objectively compares body panel alignments and consistent seam gaps, the Elantra doesnt take a back seat to any car. The attention to detail and fit-and-finish on the exterior and interior are readily apparent. The Elantra drives well, and the ride is surprisingly supple and quiet. Acceleration is on par with most of the 4-cylinder automatics Ive driven. For an out-the-door price, including tax, of around $13,500, its an excellent overall value. Hyundai produces an excellent car at a most affordable price.

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  I love my baby - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tiburon117 - September 12 - 6:36 pm

  Absolutely love this car! Quick, sexy, stylish, just over all this car stuns people. Could use more power but hey its a four cylinder. Almost beat my roommates El Camino with this car. Ive been rear ended with this car twice and both times there was no damage just some scratches where the license plate lights are. This car drives like a dream. My only regret...well sort of, was not getting the V-6 model but im still happy with my four.