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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  2013 Sonata cruising - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By mark waters - November 16 - 9:43 am

  Well, I bought the car about 3 weeks ago and i find it attractive and quite sporty for a 4 cylinder. The ride is smooth, absorbs bumps pretty well but the road noise is a little loud. The interior of the car was mint, well taken care of. All the controls are where you would expect them to be. The screen for this model entertainment system could have been bigger and come with back up assist, but alas no...The blue lights are nice and overall the car has been fun to drive without much fuss. The only thing I did notice was the power steering seems a bit sticky when you turn the wheel, very touchy. I am very satisfied with my purchase and thank Edmunds for the help...

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  Good for Tall Folk - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By John - November 15 - 1:36 pm

  While out shopping for price and value, I happened to get lucky with the 08 Accent GS. While the one I bought has little more than a stripped base car, its well-made, handles better than it should and is a comfortable, peppy little car. Best of all, for a guy 64" theres not only room for long legs but also I can even get in wearing a hat! Right now recording about 25-27 MPG in mixed driving, far better than the EPA estimate. But in Tampa, visit another dealer than Courtesy. And watch out for "full disclosure" financing presentations that try to run up the price, especially for unnecessary, rapacious "gap" insurance.

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  Im Impressed - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By paposdad - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I wanted another hatchback. To my surprise there are few true hatchbacks to choose from on the market. I read reviews on the Hyundai GT hatchback, and they were all positive. Then Hyundai did something that really got my attention; the $1500 cash incentive. The GT hatchback is already well equiped. All I wanted was a pewter color, auto trans and mud guards. Using Edmunds.com I formulated a price to offer the dealer if I liked the test drive. I took the test drive and the car sold itself. I am very satisfied with the car and with the service from the dealer. This car gives you the most bang for your buck and the warranty is icing on the cake.

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  Treadlightly - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Treadlightly - November 14 - 12:04 pm

  The 2012 Elantra will eat up your rear tires. I purchased the car new, and by 20,000 miles the original rear tires were worn out. I thought it was a tire problem, but have come to discover it is a car problem. Replaced the original tires with new Coopers and 23 months and 16,000 miles later and the back tires have ended their life. Front tires look like new. Just spend an hour talking with HYundai customer service who were "shocked" at this discovery. What a bunch of baloney. Of course they tell me it is the fault of the tire. I purchased the tires at Farm and Fleet and they agree it is a car design problem and not a tire defect. Something about no adjustment on the real wheels which are set to a fixed -1.50 camber. Thus the inside of the tires will wear out quicker than it takes Hyundai "goodwill" services to manufacture an excuse. My advise, tread lightly when purchasing a Hyundai.

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  Really nice car - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dave - November 11 - 6:26 am

  I just traded in a 2001 BMW X5 so once I got over the BMW/Hynudai issue, I was fine. Its a great car for the money. I originally purchased the GLS but went back the next day and got the SE. I like the little extras, especially the on wheel audio controls, compass in the rear view mirror, trip computer, and more.

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  02 Accent - great car for the money - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Lori - November 9 - 1:27 pm

  I just resisted the urge to trade in my 2002 Accent largely because it is so much fun to drive and has been so reliable for me. At 80,000 miles "Little Red" is still zipping along merrily. Average MPG in the high twenties for city driving. Totally agree that the standard tires should be jettisoned ASAP. Like all Hyundais this Accent runs and drives (and on the inside, looks) like a more expensive vehicle. Exterior styling is a bit on the dumpy side, but hey, you cant have everything. This Accent is a terrific buy, especially at a used price.

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  My Elantra SE at 1800 miles - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By blkhd07 - November 9 - 2:21 am

  It is exactly what I wanted in an compact car - 1) Decent overall performance 2) Small enough to fit most San Francisco parking spaces 3) Roomier than my previous compact 4) Loads of features and refinements to make me feel that I was NOT making any compromises in buying a sub-$20k car 5) Killer price (especially with the rebate I got) 6) Very good gas mileage 7) Anticipated reliability as good as Toyota (very important) This doesnt get as good gas mileage as a Prius (heck it doesnt even get its own stated EPA city MPG of 28) but it is at least low emission PZEV. Hwy MPG is about as promised--36. The ride experience is just as refined as the Prius, but cost me 10k less.

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  Love the Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JC - November 8 - 3:06 pm

  Have had the Tucson 4+ years and still is fun to drive, good in winter and air con works great in summer. Own an Acura MDX as well but end up taking the Tucson everywhere. Could buy a new car but afraid another car wont be as much fun or as reliable...

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  Over a year - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kiwi - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Great car. 15 months old and now clicking over 30,000 miles. No problems. Oil changes, filter changes and tyre rotations is about it. Lifted the hood about two months ago to check something and realized I hadnt looked under there since we bought it.

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  Perfect sporty/flashy daily driver - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Julien - November 7 - 6:56 am

  Awesome potential. Motor clearly underrated. Wants to breathe so much harder but intake and turbo back constrict this a lot. Tuners car. Also very responsive stock, but also very civilized. Suspension perfect for daily conditions. Indoor surprising, love lighting at night! Outdoor will get you praises. Cat-back piping section is crimped for some reason..again doesnt breathe quite well. Guarantees interesting as few things can and probably will go down between 3rd and 5th year of usage..not to overlook. Insurance go easy on Hyundai brand so thats good too. Watch out winter tire cost.