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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  Excellent until 5000 miles - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By slveradoltz13 - August 15 - 8:38 pm

  Bought the car in early 2013, we drive it weekly on the weekends. Loved it until last 2 months ago when we took a long trip in it. It started to surge on acceleration and sometimes fall on its face. Took to dealer and they were unable to reproduce. It gets worse the more we drive it. am now afraid to take a long trip in it. Have driven only a few times since back from dealer. Probably will trade soon as soon as I figure what to try next. Bought a Silverado 2013 this year also and love it, have 12000 miles on it with no issues.

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  Excellent Car. Great Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alejandro - August 15 - 10:00 am

  After looking at Fusion, Accord, Mazda6 & Altima I decided on this car because it was the best buy for the money. Driven it 500 miles so far and I fall more in love every day. Great fuel economy, awesome features. The 198 hp engine has plenty of power and speed even with 5passengers. Im glad I picked this car above the rest. Some complain about lack of pwr seat for passenger. They dont need to have pwr. Besides they have dual zone temp control that s enough. Mine is the indigo blue Pearl, and all I get are compliments on the car everywhere I go.

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  Great Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By zrm - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Drive mostly highway miles, great mileage. Like everything about the car. Still learning about the bluetooth. All features work fine.

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  Awesome vehicle / one complaint - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Felix - August 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best value going. Overall, the car is great. I love the styling and interior. Great Nav and media options. fun to drive and corners well. The only complaint is the steering. Very frustrating driving on the highway for long stretches of straight road, constantly overcorrecting (left right left right) to keep the car straight.

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  Best value for the Money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By TASI - August 14 - 10:33 pm

  After several researches and comparisions and of course test drive comparisons with other cars in this class, Hyundai Azera came out on top. Lots of amenities that are standard with the Azera you would have to pay hundreds more with other cars in its, IF its offered. Bottom line is best value for the money without sacrificing quality. Good job Hyundai. Keep it up. Never considered a Hyundai before until now.

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  Time to pull the Trigger! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bartman - August 14 - 6:13 am

  Been looking at the Sonata since its redesign in 2006 but the Interior Revamp they did in 2009 sealed the deal. My 96 Saturn was now on its last legs and finally last week I had to pull the trigger cause I didnt want to spend any more on repairs. I had also seen the pics of the 2011 Sonata due out later this year and just considered it too flashy for my tastes and decided to grab a 2010 while I could. The $3000 discount helped too since they only gave me $500 for the Saturn which will be immediately sent to Auction. The bottom line is I got a Std GLS with everything already included that I wanted for the last 3 years. Im glad I did my homework and Edmunds helped.

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  WOW what a great car and what a great price. - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By zuuppp - August 12 - 7:17 pm

  I purchased a Veloster at Temecula Hundai. I looked at the CRZ across the street and the Veloster is the better car hands down. I was almost hit because people keep stating at the car while I am driving. Today some guy was hanging out of his truck stating and gave me a thumbs up. I was driving a Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Veloster has so many more features but the same great handling. From Blue Link to XM radio to USB ports and Eco Coach, this car has it all.

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  Value and Design - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Limited W/Nav - August 12 - 10:43 am

  Value and design. Cannot beat it. I have strangers coming up and ogling over it.

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  05 Santa Fe 4Cyl FWD *(Canadian Model) - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Andy Hutcheson - August 12 - 12:16 am

  Have owned this Santa Fe for 3 months. Surprisingly pleased with the performance and gas mileage. Currently getting 31.88 mpg with mostly "around town" driving...only 3 trips over an hour in duration. Vehicle has lots of get-up-and-go due no doubt to a very well geared 5 speed manual transmission.Exterior style and ergonomics of interior very pleasing. Feels very solid and tight on the road. Have no reliabily info yet.

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  Loved my Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By nitlion - August 11 - 7:30 pm

  From the time of purchase, until I traded my Santa Fe in on a new vehicle, I loved this car. Car was great, dealer wasnt.