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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  For the price, a Great Value - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bill - May 23 - 9:00 pm

  Fun car to drive, after owning a Honda CR-V, this car has a lot of power compared to the 4 cyl Honda. The all wheel drive is just great. You really notice it in the rain.

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  UNKNOWN AT PURCHASE - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jeannie - May 23 - 12:40 pm

  I loved my Tiburon until this week. While getting ready for vacation I took the vehicle to my mechanic for an oil change. He noted there was wear on the rear passenger tire and suggested that I replace the tire before the trip. I contacted the place where I had purchased the tires a year ago and was told that the car was out of alignment in the rear and so I had the alignment done and purchased a new tire only to find out that these vehicles DO NOT have an adjustment feature. Now I must buy an after market adjustment kit which will cost me about $250 so that my tires will not continue to wear. It was very disappointing to find this out. I believe I will be looking for another vehicle.

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  Its a Love-Hate Relationship - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By nanne8 - May 23 - 8:41 am

  Ive had this car for about six months and have some regrets about buying it. It looks great - both the interior and exterior designs are excellent. And the technology its equipped with (I have the tech/style pkg) beats any other car in its segment. However, there are some major deficiencies: (1) the gas mileage is nowhere near what Hyundai claims. The most Ive ever gotten is 30mpg highway and 27 combined. Thats driving conservatively in eco mode the entire time; (2) the ride is VERY harsh - you feel every (I mean EVERY) bump in the road and forget about going over rough pavement, bumps, or potholes. I feel like Im riding in a school bus. (3) the acceleration/power stinks...badly.

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  LOUD chattering, ticking, and groaning engine - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Melanie - May 23 - 12:09 am

  I purchased the 2017 Sonata in February; the car had 5 miles on it when I drove off the lot. At 150 miles, the engine became loud, especially upon starting up when cold. The engine chatters and vibrates and seemed extremely loud for a new car. The engine block also had corrosion spots on it. I took the car into the dealer and the service reps kept it overnight, told me they checked it out and there was nothing wrong, and they cleaned off the corrosion nad told me that was nothing to be concerned with. At around 300 miles, I discovered a defect in the passenger window and took the car back into the dealer. I again told them about the loud noise and that is did not sound normal; the engine knocks and certainly does not sound like a brand new car. They checked it out again and told me the noises are "normal" and that there is nothing wrong with the car. And of course they told me not to worry because if there is anything wrong, its covered by the warranty. My car now has just now reached 3000 miles and I will be taking it in the for oil change. The engine seems to be louder; I was standing near another Sonata that was idling and one could not even hear it. My car is LOUD chattering, tinny sound, and when accelerating there is a groaning sound. It sounds like a a very old car. I drive very conservatively and at the speed limit, mostly in town, and the gas mileage I have gotten is not as advertised; the current "fuel economy" listed on the dash is 17.9. I got the car for its great gas mileage. Has anyone else had similar issues? I would like the dealer to replace the entire car. I dont want them to "repair" or replace the engine because it is a brand new car and should not have such issues, and if they start "repairing" it so early, it will certainly not be a new car.

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  Great family car for the price - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By dan - May 22 - 6:56 am

  Purchased my Sonata GLS V 6 in May 2006. I have driven it to Sarasota Fla twice so far [985 miles one way }. I averaged 30 mpg on the hwy fully loaded with 3 adults & 2 younger children. city milage is about 21 mpg . V6 has more power than needed , but great on the hwy. First time Sonata owner , I have on complaint , disc breakes squeak alot when damp .

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  Great car period. - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By chris78410 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I know its a great car for the money, but its a great car period. The new 350Z came out and everyone I have talked to likes the styling of my car better. I know I do. I realize the Z has more power etc. But it also costs 15,000 more too. The Tiberon is a great car for the money but its also a great car on its own merits. I cant wait to load it with a massive stereo. The stock is not bad but I am used to larger systems and this care is made for a monster.

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  motor tremor or vibration - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By charles walker - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my new X350 from a local dealer ( Wilmington Hyundai )maket street Wimington N C in the spring of 2004. The vehicle was a loaner, with 2,300 miles. Shortly after purchase, we experienced a motor tremor. We repeatedly took the car back to the dealership to correct this problem, and they told me and my wife that this is the way this car is supposed to run. The service manager, shop manager, or general manager was not concerned with correcting the problem. This attitude went on for months. We finally took the vehicle to another dealership in Jacksonville, NC and they replaced the motor. There is still a little tremor.They were very helpful

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  All in all, so far so good - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Barry - May 20 - 12:26 pm

  All in all so far so good. I have owned 40 cars, and this is a very solid car. My only complaints so far. the noise of the engine while outside of the car idling (although inside you cant hear it), and the chrome rings on the air vents reflecting in the windows. In other words, small things. Only been getting 24 mpg so far... but mainly city, with an average speed of 30 mph.. so good in my opinion. Everything is very well laid out, easy to fine, and the vehicle is deceptively big. much more room inside than you would think from the outside. The stiffer suspension than most CUVs is nice, and you can really feel the weight (or lack there of) compared with other similar vehicles. A+ all around

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  Economical SUV, a couple of drawbacks - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rickyp - May 20 - 8:26 am

  The SF has proven to be the right economical choice for a small SUV, but comes with a few surprise nuisances. We love the interior and exterior styling and feel that we are getting more features for our money. We are very happy, but I caution people on two fronts 1) we are not getting 19/24 mpg – we see more like 16.5 2) The front driver seat because of the lumbar support (a late engineering addition?) pushes out at your upper back creating an uncomfortable driver seat. My suggestion is to take a good long test drive to test out the seat and fuel economy (reset the mpg gauge to see what you get how you drive). I still would have bought the Santa Fe, but would have not been surprised.

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  best kept secret in the automotive indus - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By w. sumner - May 19 - 8:50 am

  Blindfold youself. Take a ride in the sonata. youd swear it was something thousands of dollars more!