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:

• 

  New purchase - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Dan - December 14 - 10:33 am

  Just bought the XG350L - our second Hyundai now. Fantastic value and solid quality and ride. We are very happy with the options and warranty.

• 

  Great drive for its money - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Henry David - December 12 - 3:15 pm

  I´ve had the car for five months and the pro´s are: great soft and smooth ride for a car its class, soft and no outside noise,good noise insulation and good stereo for the price, and lots of amenities. Great room for its size, good trunk space, and great handling in curves. The cons: not great gas mileage 21 to 23 miles per gallon on the city, if you don´t drive fast but if you are those of whom, like driving fast it will give you less than 20 miles per galon, but the car will respond fast enough for city needs, and its fun! On mountain roads you have to push the acelerator, but the ride is stable on fast curves,I personaly use the 2nd gear, and turn off the overdrive and it responds nice!

• 

  Genesis Coupe 0-7500 miles Experience - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Kwakasmith - December 7 - 12:20 pm

  My 1st Hyundai. Previous car was a 2007 VW GTI (owned for 3 years). Reliability Mechanical issues: None to date. Electrical issues: Sterno once slow to respond (Winters day 12 deg F). No problems since. Trim issues: None to date Performance Engine: strong, very smooth and quiet. Try to stay in Auto mode now as quite easy to chug along at 65 mph in 4th gear without noticing. Gearbox: Smooth, fast response. Suspension: Planted but can sometimes feel as though your tires need inflating slightly (when they dont). Overall Impression: This is an excellent car & fun to drive. Knocks the spots off the GTI I owned and that car usually receives 5 top ratings in most magazines.

• 

  Another Santa Fe - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mike - December 3 - 7:16 pm

  After test drive i realized how better it was than my 06 other than engine it was completely redesigned. I loved the 06 never any problems in almost 4 years so i traded it for the 09 leftover and have not been disappointed. Fun to drive and it looks like the more expensive SUVs in its class.

• 

  Slow off the line - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By I like it ,I like it - December 3 - 7:10 am

  Ive only had the car a week and so far I like the car very much. My ONE concern is the car is very slow off the line.When youre at a light or stop sign and you first hit the gas, it takes a second or two before the car goes. This also happens between 1 gear and 2 gear.

• 

  Bugs Fixed - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By kamana06 - November 29 - 9:39 pm

  Shortly after purchase of the hybrid with the electronic package had multiple problems with hybrid system...Finally, after several engineering "fixes" the hybrid function has been as expected for the past 20,000 miles of California driving..I have not experienced any noticeable problem with the transition from electric to motor nor any meaningful problem with braking performance. Overall I think this car is a good combination of price, exterior design, and amenities without paying a premium for an upscale "badge."

• 

  santa FE AWD SE 2011 - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rp - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Have been reading Edmunds for years. So, time to give back. Just bought 2011 Santa FE AWD SE (first new car for me : ) I am coming from an old Accord 4 cyl. - Exterior looks are great. Interior is alright. Drive is not nimble (this is not BMW), but i expected it to be tighter on suspension (its too bouncy for me). - Acceleration is responsive. - Overall features for given price is nice (bluetooth, v6, awd, auto dim mirrors, heated seats, roof rack + cross rails, steptronic transmission, warranty, fog lights, driver power seats) - I only have driven 80 miles so far. I will write back again in 500 miles. - Mpg - 22 combined

• 

  Still evaluating but not bad - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By bigdog66 - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought a SE with the Nav and Sun roof Package. The XM radio, Bluetooth, interior and exterior stying are Great. I dont like the traffic locater on the XM nav but the Nav screen and turn by turn is great. The venetian red gets a lot of Compliments and the MPG on Highway is great. City is about average but the car Has plenty of Room. 200 hp is ok but the Steering is Hard to get used too. Electronic assist needs improvement. The steering wheel Height is not good for taller or bigger guys. all in all not bad but still evaluating, 1500 miles so far.

• 

  Diamond in the world - 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  By Jimbo - November 27 - 3:30 pm

  Brought this jewel home with 6 miles on the odometer! And can tell you its a true elite white diamond turbo so far!! Have almost 3500 miles on it already in 3 months already 2 road trips ! I to Sedona Arizona and its fast, quick, sporty enough handling, comfortable and does get a few looks!! Yes some nits are the transmission seems slow to respond probably my biggest gripe but its good on gas.the interior plastics on doors scratch easily. And visibility can be a hidden problem!! But hay for the money 24000 with rebates and fully loaded with the panoramic moonroof!!! I can hang with this diamond!!! Till next review enjoy!!! Im sold so far on the veloster turbo!!!

• 

  Great suv at a great price - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By donna - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Let your misguided friends spend twice as much on an overpriced, unreliable domestic SUV. THIS SUV is for the smart consumer who wants a great car, style and a superior warrenty at a great price!