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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  It is what it is! James Bond car at a discount! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By teinte31 - December 6 - 2:18 pm

  Im writing this review to basically respond to the Edmunds review. Ive had my GT V6 for 6 years now and have had not one problem with it. I feel the Edmunds review was very harsh towards the Tiburons power/engine. Guess what guys? Its not a Corvette! It is what it is, I knew when I bought it after the test drive it was weak, but I still bought it because it has the sexiest body style Ive ever seen. Thats why its nicknamed a Baby Aston Martin... Its a great tuner car as well, Ive put a cold air intake/exhaust/headers on mine and I can vouch the Tiburon has enormous power...Its just harnessed by the factory specs and state laws. Dont blame the Tiburon for that...I love it!

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  Gas Mileage not adding up - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By dynamat - December 5 - 7:13 am

  My main reason to buy a Hyundai Sonata was because I had the 2001 model that never gave me any real issues so to go to the latest model was a no brainier. However I am not that impressed with the engine technology. Considering that my 2001 sonata got around 24 mpg with a six cylinder engine. I thought that the 24c-35h that was on the sticker would be the way to go. I live in Fort Myers and sometimes have to drive to Ft Laud. I figured this would be a perfect test to check the gas mileage. I filled my car with premium gas and set the cruise control to 70 mph. Oh and also turned on the ECO control. Started the 110 mile test at 25.3 mph but finished at 23.9mpg. I lost mileage. That is not good.

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  Better than expected - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cheeshead - November 28 - 7:15 pm

  Bought car with 57K & 16mos later have 84K. Great car. Smoother ride than our Windstar. In fact wife will take the Sonata over the Windstar often. Two dealers in my area wonderful. Even matched price of local garage to keep my business. Only major problem was a missfiring cylinder. After paying $400+ to get spark plugs, engine flush etc done, went back in a week and they had to replace the oxygen sensor. Other than that, it does pull to the left and after alignment steering wheel shakes. also, water in the taillamp...$220+ to fix/replace. Those probs aside, it really has been a great car. Would totally buy another one. 1800+ miles/month got me 25mpg. City has been 22mpg.

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  Upgraded Accent - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By gadgetmgs - November 27 - 11:30 pm

  This Hyundai is our second. First was a 2000 Accent and find this one much improved. 10/10 is unbeatable and Hyundai took excellant care to meet my needs on the 2000 Accent when things went bad.

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  Nice price for a good competitor - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By BigDave - November 26 - 12:33 pm

  The tiburon has sufficient power to put you back in your seat. The shifter feels loose even while in gear. The car has problems taking off when the rpms are higher than 3000. The clutch is grossly inadequent if you plan on taking to the races. The car comes alive with a few small engine mods. This car has tons of features for the price and will beat alot of the competitors in this class. The ride on the highway is remarkably smooth for this type of sport compact car. There are 2 seats in the back of the car, but are not comfortable for a person taller than 55".

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  hyundai 2002 accent - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By e r kelly - November 24 - 4:29 pm

  Its been a grat traveling car, putting on the first 8000 miles within two months of purchase. Its been from Maine to California and Milwaukee to New Orleans. Not too much twon driving as I have a little old Chevy, still in great shape, for that! I take good care of my cars!

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  Great Car, but VERY small gas tank! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By MotherOfTwo - November 24 - 3:03 am

  Overall very happy with this car! Its just the right size for us and looks great.

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  Not Bad - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ken C - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a new 2003 Sonata LX V6 in Dec 2002. Have put 3,000 miles on it and it runs great. I agree with others, this cars is not as polished as a Toyota or Honda. We useally buy larger America cars. The Sonata matches them in ride but has less power. The trunk space looked good when we bought the car. But on our first trip found the rear speakers and other stuff really cut into the useable trunk space. Overall, we are very happy with the car and feel it is a great value.

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  Love the 09 Sonata Limited - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anurag - November 23 - 8:00 pm

  The Altima and Mazda6 are sportier, the Camry and Accord have better resale value, but nothing in the <25k price range beats the Sonata for value, comfort and technolust. Standout features - - iPod integration: The aux+USB interface can charge your ipod, and you can browse artists, playlists, albums etc on the display. The wheel mounted controls can be used to ffwd, rewind and play next / previous songs. No need to touch the ipod once its plugged in. - Hood and trunk have struts. No chance of the hood dropping on your head, no need to move stuff out the way of the trunks hinges. - The console and interior styling belong to a luxury car - superb sound system. Crystal clear treble, deep base

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  The Underrated Alternative - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Matt - November 22 - 6:51 pm

  The car is great. Comfortable, fun to drive and very affordable. But the dealership experience was horrible. I am very happy with this car. Drive this car if you are considering a Civic or Corolla.