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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  Homerun of a deal - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mark R - August 20 - 12:30 pm

  I got my 3.8 with the technology package and I can not say enough about the car. I also deflated the tire pressure to improve passenger comfort. It is interesting to hear people complain about the suspension, when in fact Hondas, Mazdas, and now fords ride give me a backache every time I drive one. The dealership experience was solid. It felt like I was getting a luxury car at a costco. There was nothing wrong with the dealers at Hyundai. They treated me well, they knew the details about the Genesis. As well, they did not rush me or push me to make a purchase on the Hyundai.

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  Love my Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By doug - August 20 - 11:39 am

  After visiting local dealerships-who quoted sticker prices only-less trade or rebate. Sought an out of state dealer who quoted in writing exact price Edmunds said you should pay-saved $5000- persistence pays. Considered Honda Fit and Civic and Nissan Sentra but Hyundai was much less with more features and much better warranty. Have not had a sedan in awhile-fairly fun to drive. Great mileage so far running @34 average with mostly city.

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  For the money its super - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By mike34293 - August 20 - 9:50 am

  There isnt much to say except that there isnt anything on the market that competes with this car. Its short comings are minor and the quality is unbelievable.

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  great value - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By dan herz - August 20 - 1:16 am

  Ive had this car for one week and love it. I had a caddy cts before this and the performance and pickup is much better. With the $1k rebate its an unbelievable value for the $$ especially since I got the dealer to throw in the 02package for free and still only paid dealer invoice.

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  bought for college - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By polystang - August 19 - 10:30 pm

  Bought for my final year at school. So far I am very satisfied. The engine is quite powerful for its class and its handles well. The sound system is nothing to brag about but all in all it is a very good little car at a good price. Recommended to anyone also, Im a big guy. 6,2 and build. I fit in it very well. Good head room and decent legroom

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  Loyal Hyundai owners - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robin - August 19 - 6:47 pm

  This is our third Hyundai, our first sonata. We have put 80000 miles on it in three years. We love the 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Can travel from Houston to Wichita Falls on one tank of gas! We love the roominess and the low cost of maintenance. We have not had any trouble with it.

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  Great All Around - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By gen 36 - August 19 - 3:30 pm

  You just cant get more car for the buck than the Genesis. I wanted an entry full-size luxury car for a little over $30k, and so my options were limited. Shopped against Toyota Avalon, a few Buick models, Ford Taurus, even the Hyundai azera, and theres no contest here. Of course one can get a used Lexus or something, but I wanted a new car, plus Hyundai has the great warranty. And even if I could afford a new Lexus es or gs, Id much Rather save the money for gas and go with the no-name Genesis.

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  A sweet ride - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JS - August 19 - 3:03 am

  I love everything about this SUV except the low speed shifting points. I hope theres a software upgrade. A minor request would be better apps such as WAZE.

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  In general a great car. - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By ElantraOwner - August 18 - 5:41 pm

  I give high rating because I only compare this to other makes in the same class, meaning hyundai can still build a better Elantra. 7 for Build Quality is because a window came off from its track only 2 weeks after I got it. Otherwise it would be a 9. Very roomy for a small car, pickup is good, seat is comfortable. Everything just looks right and better when comparing to civic, corolla, or sentra. Like my friend says, it looks more expensive than its price. They say tinted windows on the website, but cant see how it was tinted.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By HyundaiNewbi - August 18 - 4:31 pm

  Had the car now for two weeks and am very happy. Traded my clunker for $4500 plus the $2000 discount then showed the dealer my TMV report - bottom line is I got a great car at a great price. The car accelerates and brakes well and the handling is very good with little body roll in corners. The car is a bit noisy under heavy acceleration but quite under normal conditions. I have not noticed wind noise at highway speed. Overall the can is nimble, fun to drive and fits four very comfortably. Gas mileage is good but I havent had it long enough to really determine true MPG for me. Finally you cant beat the warranty.