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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  Be careful Honda! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By David - March 4 - 9:16 am

  Honda and Toyota were two main imports that prevailed for the past decades. But it is official, the hell freezes over!! This Sonata out performes those Accords and Camries in terms of built quality and performance. Actually it can be compared with a Lexus or Acura league.

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  build quality - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jon l alto sr - March 4 - 6:36 am

  over all the vehicle is find except to much road noise coming into the vehicle. the car rides nice and makes me less tired when driving long distances. if the vehicle had more less noise coming for out side i can hear the radio more better than to have to turn it up more than like to. but over all the vehicle is great to drive.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!! - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By unsatisfied customer - March 4 - 5:44 am

  I purchased a loaded 2016 Tuscan from a brand new dealership only open 1 week. I had the car for just 1 day shy of 1 MONTH. I was driving home and without warning LOST ALL POWER. Thankfully I was able to get it pulled to the side in a subdivision. I had NO warning of this. Dash light all came on, advising check AEB and TPMS. I couldnt even use my hazard lights!!!! After getting it towed to the dealership we purchased it from we went the next morning and was told the alternator had failed to charge the battery!!!! Really, a brand new car!!!! The manager refused to even talk with us after several attempts to speak with him. Total loss of EVERYTHING on a vehicle is a HUGE safety concern. Thankfully it didnt happen 5 minutes earlier when I was going 60!!!! The manufacturer advises it will be MAYBE February before they can get the alternator since it is so new. Definitely falling under lemon law since out for more than 30 days and major safety issue!!!!!! I would have given this no stars but didnt allow this. BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sometime newest technology not always what they claim and not worth it.

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  Hard to beat - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Beemerdude - March 3 - 10:30 pm

  purchased the Genesis 4.6 with Tech package for my wife as a replacement for her Acura RL. While lacking snob appeal, Hyundais execution on this vehicle is impeccable. After 2 months, she is extremely happy. the car is a pleasure to drive. extremely well appointed. great performance. so impressed with this car are we that Ive purchase a 3.8 liter coupe. while not as much car as a G37, at 15k less Im very happy with the coupe as well.

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  2011 Sonata Hybrid with Premium package - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By marnold4 - March 3 - 6:34 pm

  We just have about 350 miles on the car but so far its great. Plenty of pickup to get on the highway or pass, excellent fuel economy (baby it on the highway, on the flat or slight downhill, and you can hit 50 mpg fairly easily). The interior design is outstanding, nice leather seats, Sound system with Infinity speakers and sub-woofer work nicely. Its nice to have a transmission that actually shifts, and you can shift it in manual mode. BlueTooth works great with our HTC Droid phones and the i-Pod touch works perfectly as well. Nice sound and reception on HD radio stations in the area. The car has more of a luxury feel than a sporty handler for driving.

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  Misrepresentation of gas mileage - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JRSPARROW - March 3 - 3:33 pm

  I get an average of 18.6 mpg. When I brought it back to the dealer they drove it 60 miles under ideal conditions and the best they could get was 23 mpg Cruise control on the hwy. They then told me thats what I should expect even though the sticker advertises 24 city and 31 hwy.

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  Sonata blows doors off Honda/Toyota! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chuck - March 3 - 1:26 pm

  Just traded in my 05 Sonota (which was a great car) for the 06. I LOVE THIS CAR!! Feels like Im driving something much more expensive. Handling is a much better than my 05, but it of course makes for a little rougher of a ride. Thats OK though because I like the sportier feel! Can definitely feel the difference in the 235 ponies, compared with my 05! I really think once it catches on that this car will surpass Honda and Toyota. At least I hope so! Hyundai, keep your price points and you win!!

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  The Best Yet - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Tony near Tampa - March 2 - 2:23 pm

  Ive been fortunate in my driving life to have owned more than a dozen cars, including Lexus, Toyotas, Porsche, Corvette, Mercedes, Chevys, and Fords too. This Hyundai Veracruz is equal or better than ANY of them. Fit and finish, overall performance, comfort, amenities, all are superb. I shopped Highlander, Venza, CX-9, Traverse (GMC and Buick also), and others. None matched for performance, options, and the big one, price. You cant beat this car for the money. Maybe not even close. Options like power lift gate, keyless entry/start, sunroof and rack, automatic A/C everywhere, dynamite sound, power trim and tilt, seat memory, Michelins, five spoke wheels, etc, make this a real winner.

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  First Impression - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By PenguinBriar - March 2 - 1:16 pm

  Really liked what the SE brought to the table over the GLS or Limited. I like to feel the road, and I do with the SE. I test drove 2009 Limited (6 cylinder) and thought it had the flu. No guts and sloppy feel. Even though the new SE doesnt have the same HP, it FEELS like it does and the ride in the 2011 is MUCH more responsive. The styling isnt even in the same league as the previous Sonata. There are a lot of professional reviews that should be read.

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  Value, Value, Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By zudnic - March 1 - 4:20 am

  I have had this car for about ten weeks and am pleased. This car is an excellent value. The GLS model comes with all the bells and whistles standard, including USB, Bluetooth (both phone and MP3/Pandora capability), steering wheel radio controls, manual-override 6-speed transmission, etc. And Hyundai Assurance and the 100k mile warranty. It is comfortable and smooth to drive. Well-built. My quibbles are in visibility - the B-pillar is chunky and the rear visibility is horrendous. I also quibble that you cant disable XM, forcing you to flip through all three stations on the wheel. If you want leather or a sunroof, go for a higher package but you cant beat the GLS for the money