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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  So far money well spent - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Greg - March 20 - 4:22 pm

  Waited to submit the review until I could actually review it properly. After one year of owning the car and driving back and forth to work all I can say is.. Im impressed. 5 speed allows me to grab some decent speed from a pretty small engine and the fit and finish of the vehicle still impresses me. I even took it camping last summer and managed to get all the equiment, three people and a dog in.... Wow... Love the hatchback.

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  Brakes and caliber maintance - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gf - March 19 - 10:00 am

  I cant believe I have to have the Calibers /brakes cleaned and lubricated every 12,000 miles or the brakes "burn up and Lock up" this is what the dealers said and it did happen to a friend of mine! Why arent customers told this before we buy? reliability? poor

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  Real impressive for the price - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - March 19 - 4:24 am

  This car is all around a great buy so far, the Mpg is excellent I am averaging 34.5. On an all interstate drive I averaged over 38. The ride is pretty descent, road noise is average, radio sounds good, touch screen responds well, phone Bluetooth was easy and works great, instrument cluster has all the features you need then some and looks good. The interior is roomy, I am 63" 230 lbs and have plenty of room anywhere in the car. The trunk has plenty of space, the rear access seats are easy to open and close. Blu link feature works well, I schedule a service that the self monitoring system recommended. The only draw back I have is that I change my own oil and there is a cover blocking access to the oil plug and oil filter and no access door to them so you have to take out all the screws and remove the cover to access the plug and filter.

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  My 2011 Hyundai Sonota GLS - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By bud64k - March 16 - 4:53 am

  Ok this is my first new car, Im a 47 year old driver, and I consider myself a prudent consumer. I did alot of research. My issues with the car that made me write this review. The XM satellite. NO SiGNAL, called xm several times, still no signal. I dont want too blame the customer care but obviously they are not technicians. It made me thinking of the other problems I have with my car. Riding over potholes, not a very smooth ride, Not smooth at all, The other issue, the swaying too the left, ooo I cant stand it. I really dislike it at this moment. I wish I had more patience but i dont Im tired of dealing with shady Car people and customer service people who arent trained, Im PSSST

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  new style elantra is a beauty! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By tucker - March 13 - 10:00 am

  although just buying this car, on first impluse, its a great car to look at. It has a very "alive" engine and the noise is kept to a minimal. All the standard features will just blow you away... I managed to take home the "convenience package (which consists of keyless entry w/ alarm, cruise control, and a cd player upgrade)..so as of 2100 miles..im in love with this car. Although i am pro-hyundai anyway because i use to own a 2000 hyundai accent. In my honest opinion, despite all my respect for this company, I really do think they are making a honest and very respectable leap into making nice quality cars. GO HYUNDAI!

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  NOT BAD SO FAR - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By JACK149 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  SO FAR SO GOOD, PICK THE CAR UP MARCH 24,02 BOUGHT A BASE SONATA WITH A V6,AUTO FOR 16.038.00 + TAX TITLE, IN DESERT SAND,TRADED IN A 98 BONNIVIEW, NICE CAR TO BIG FOR WIFE. WE LEASED TWO MAZDA 626 FOR 6 YEARES,TOOK A USED 626 01 FOR A TEST DRIVE,THEN TOOK A SONATA 4CY AND 6CY FOR TEST RIDE. WHAT A DIFFRENCE IN RIDE,EVEN 4CY WAS QUITE COMPARED TO 626,BETTER HANDILING ALL AROUND BETTER CAR. WIFE LOVES CAR, STILL BRAKING IN. AS FOR ABS BRAKES,I HAVE HAD TWO CARS WITH THEM AND I WOULD NEVER WOULD BUY A CAR WITH THEM! TAKE A TEST DRIVE AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK.

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  From Honda to Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Bornitetx - March 13 - 1:56 am

  When the family grew it was time to get into the SUV market...never thought I would have purchased a Hyundai...but glad I did!! I was always a loyal Honda diver..but the Pilot did not compare to the Veracruz (price/warranty/amenities. So far smooth diving and no complaints other than gas mileage could be better but since this is my 1st suv, I expected this to change. I enjoy all the luxury items at a great price that was better than the CX-9, Highlander, and Pilot. I would highly recommend this vehicle. I like having a nice quiet comfortable ride on long trips and this car pampers you, and yes as it has been compared to the Lexus 350 it is much less expensive and still has that luxury feel!!

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  Suprised! - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By MRC - March 11 - 6:40 pm

  I bought this car almost 5 years ago. I dont really have any major complaints about the car. I have been very surprised & impressed with the performance. Its quite peppy when needed. The gas mileage is fabulous, I drive 50 miles a day to and from work in rush hour traffic and still average 32-35mpg. I recently had a kid so it is way too small for me now. And it deppreciates so much, Ive been upside- down since the get-go.But if youre looking for a small commuter car that you are going to keep for a long time this is the way to go. Ive never had any mechanical problems.I wouldnt recommend it if you are a larger person (Im 52 and my husband is 61 and we constantly bump each other.

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  Gas Milage - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jodi - March 11 - 5:46 pm

  I leased my new Hyudai Sante Fe in April of 2007. Everything about the comfort, style, performace and practicality of the verhicle is excellent.....except for the gas milage. I had previoiusly been driving a Buick Rendevous and the Sante Fe was advertised as similar gas mileage. But my expereince has been far below that estimate. I am averaging only 15 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway. This has been a big disappointment. Im glad I only leased and not purchased this SUV. The sad part is if I DID get closer to the advertised gas milage, this would be the perfect vehicle for me and I would purchase it.

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  This is a Hyundai? - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By DMW - March 10 - 2:33 am

  "Thats a Hyundai?" That question I get asked almost every single day. The exterior design is exceptional with the Track spoiler, 19" wheels, and those red Brembo brakes. The interior is nicely put together as well. The touch screen Navigation is in a good spot as well. Performance is not blistering, but youre faster than 95% of the cars on the road. Things I like are the HID lights, the voice control, and the confirmation beep that tells you youre engaged in R, and leather everything. I dislike how there is no memory seats, no telescope steering wheel, no digital MPH display option, no back-up camera, only 1 level for Heated Seats, and the lack of smoothness in the shifter.