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:

• 

  Bang for the buck! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By jnelson - February 10 - 10:19 pm

  I have almost 18,000 miles on the car now and not one problem. Have done oil changes every 3000 miles. Rides nice, is quiet, gets 32mpg. My Smart car gets 39-44. The Elantra rides better too! Great warranty. All things considered a truly great car.

• 

  Velociraptor Girls Club - 2015 Hyundai Veloster
  By Kris Kelly - February 10 - 7:03 pm

  Our family loved my 2014 Veloster so much we went back and got the 2015 Matte Grey for my 18 year old daughter when she graduated high school. We are seriously considering getting the 2016 Matte Blue next. We do live in Florida so we dont have to worry about snow, so cant speak to the other review complaining about the snow but you can preheat the vehicle by remote on some models I think. Anyway we love, love, love this car!

• 

  Doubting Hyundai buyer - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By JW - February 10 - 3:17 pm

  When you turn your car on, does your car turn you on? Mine does! The only problem I had was the position the highlights were reflecting on the road, but the dealership adjusted. This car is wonderful. From the sleek exterior design, the plush interior to the horse power under the hood. My husband forced me to test drive a Sonata, but when we went into the dealership and I saw this Azera I knew it was something special. Like other comments Ive read, its hard to believe there arent more on the road.

• 

  bad ass - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By shirley - February 9 - 12:20 am

  na, just bought it 3 weeks ago, love it. simmering white. rearview camera, leather seats. just beautiful. still learning the ins & out. I just love this car,the style+make cannot be beat.the first time I ever picked the first car I seen.

• 

  No complaints...except for the way it eats tires. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rmcg77 - February 8 - 2:27 pm

  I didnt see a place in the ratings for that, but it seems the Santa Fe has a penchant for tires. Something I read on another forum about the way the AWD has a natural toe-in or something. Whatever...I never seem to get more than 35,000 miles out of a set of tires, which is expensive as hell with 18" wheels. Other than than, this car has been a gem. My friends bought an Infinity Crossover the same year, for $25,000 more, and were shocked...wouldnt have spent the extra money if theyd known the Hyundais were so nice. But Hyundai was still working the "cheap" reputation back then. No longer. Weve been looking at a Vera Cruz now, but new models are due so I think well wait to upgrade.

• 

  07 Sante Fe is a winner - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Larry - February 8 - 1:46 pm

  This vehicle is worth every penny I paid for it. The exterior body design is such an improvement over past Sante Fes. The interior is well laid out and uses quality materials. Leather Seats on the limited are more comfortable than the cloth seats. All the built in safety features make it very insurance friendly.

• 

  Great Value - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dale Poncy - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Hyundai. I have owned an Elantra GLS, Elantra GT, Santa Fe, and now this Sonata LX. All are 2001 or newer. These are great cars for the money.

• 

  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Corrinne T - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I just got my new Tiburon this week and I love it! Its fun, sporty, and drives great in the rain!!! I cant wait to drive it when the roads are dry. I bought the car because of its sleek exterior design and comfortable interior. The infiniti system is absolutely perfect for jamming to great tunes. The only thing I wish it has is a bit more hp but it does the trick. Having the 6-speed really helps. Its definitely a head-turner and has really wowwed my friends and family.

• 

  Kick A** car! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Boston Babs - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Fabulous car! Great feeling driving it. Pick up, from stop position is excellent. Standard features are above average. Its usually in automatic, but can go into manual transmission if I want to play some road games with some of the big boys! Stereo is fantastic. The ONE BIG THING I MISS IS..... Hyundai doesnt make rain guards for the windows. I get soaked if the window is open a bit in the rain. Otherwise,I really love everything about this car. Great styling Hyundai!

• 

  perfect sales rep. vehicle - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By hantover - February 7 - 4:46 am

  Bought my Sonata new 2 1/2 years ago. Currently have 94,000 miles on her. High miles due to my profession as a sales rep. covering 5 states. Only one problem was a check engine light at around 40K - dealer said it was some problem with the fuel cap. No problems since. Routinely get 32 mpg highway. I have owned 32 cars since 1977. This one and Honda Accords have been the best for ride, comfort, gas mileage, and reliability. Left the sales rep. job 8 months ago, so I wont be driving the usual 50K per year. I intend to keep this one for another 10 years.