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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  Great Car till 84,000 Mile Mark!!!! - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By xphyscokittenx - July 21 - 10:55 am

  This car gave me little problems at first bought it at 30,000 miles then at 80,000 the speed sensor went and then at 84,000 the whole transmission went could not reverse only go forward cost me 23000 to fix !! Cars should not die this early and in addition the body of the car is so weak that the littlest bump will destroy the body of your car, not safe in more serious accidents im sure.. things begin to fall apart quickly on this little car .. great new .. not great used. Plus Hyundai service department was rude and offered no sympathy that my car died so early even though they promise it will last till 140,000

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  Engine Shaking and Vibrating - Becareful..! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By andress360 - July 21 - 4:24 am

  I bought a my first Hyundai ever.....2013 Sonata 2.4 GLS with 9,700 miles, after a couple days (( 85 miles )) I noticed and Shaking, Vibrating sensation that comes from the engine. This is very irritating and disturbing since Hyundai is suppose to be coming up with better quality, sad to say but this gives me much to worry about since it can only get worse as I add miles to the car. I never had this issue with cars., so Ill be taking back to the dealer for service. After finding about this issue I wish I would have bought from Toyota, or Nissan. Very discouraging. If you do decide to buy this car make sure that you get their Top Service Warranty.

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  You Get What You Pay For... - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Honesty - July 20 - 10:34 pm

  Over all I enjoy my car. Its great on gas, smooth ride, great pick up,roomy, I get lots of compliments. I enjoy all the features,especially for the price. Its not a car thats good for driving up steep hills, especially in snow or icy weather conditions,its just down right scary. I was surprised at how easily the interior gets scratched up as well as the outside paint job.I have scratches galore from other peoples car doors, people walking by ect. Oh yes, apparently someone at the factory forgot to put a screw in my rear passenger window, it came loose. The dealership fixed it at no charge. Otherwise the car is ok & Im still happy I bought it.

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  My First "New" Car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sylvia - July 20 - 9:46 pm

  Im very happy with our New Elantra (so far) Just waiting to see how it will handle this winter in the Ice and Snow. With the rising price of gas...I cant complain yet about fuel efficiency..but then again Ive had it about four months and have not hit the 1000 mark.

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  Energizer Bunny - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By parmelade - July 20 - 9:46 pm

  ...keeps going and going.... I love my little Hyundai, bought it new in 2001. It has saved me tons in gas over the years and has never once broken down. At 135,000 miles and 8 years old, I am now reluctantly selling it to my son. I will miss its peppy style and easy parking. The fold-down hatchback trunk holds so much, I will have to borrow it from my son the next time I rent 2 banquet tables and 12 chairs, which fit in it just fine. I am glad my Hyundai is staying in the family.

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  This Car is Exceptional!!!! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Carolyn Todd - July 20 - 2:31 pm

  I Bought this Car the day after my birthday in April. I absolutely love this Car!! It is the best kept secret. Most people think that Mercedes,Lexes and BMW are the best, But "No"! This Car out rides and performs these cars and other luxury cars for less than their prices for sure! I have the 6 cyl and the black on black. I love the Lexicon sound system and the comfort and quiet cabin. I am having the wings put on and drive everyone crazy! I get alot of stares now while driving. Everyone should at least test drive it! You will NOT be sorry! Check it out!!!

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  THIS CAR IS AWESOME!!!! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jclink - July 20 - 12:27 pm

  I bought my Sonata GLS V6 in January 09 and Ive had it for about 6 months now...and let me tell you...I absolutely love this car! It has all the right features of a luxury car except not the luxury price. I ALWAYS get compliments on my car and when its washed (mine is pearl white with a hint of sparkle) you better believe it will turn heads! Even though some people may say they want more horsepower, I dont think the Sonata needs it...if they want more horsepower they need to get a used Mustang! However, I lie to you not that I raced a guy on a Suzuki motorcycle (fully loaded) and I beat him going about 135mph!!! I kidd you not...go out and purchase a Sonata GLS V6 if you want quality!

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  Great Value - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By DeeDee - July 20 - 9:36 am

  Shopped almost every CUV out there. Dealership, Key Hyundai in Florida is big part of reason we purchased. Warranty and way the car is put together are other reasons. Very comfortable on short or long trips. Interior rivals that of more expensive cars. Only have 1600 miles on it and only disappointment is the MPG. Average is 20.8 MPG. Was hoping to get an average of 24.0 MPG. But understand that it is Limited with AWD. First non Jeep we drove in 20 years. We are retired and this vehicle fits our needs. Coming from a car background I would recommend Hyundai to any consumer.

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  The Smooth Drive - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Larry Ballow - July 20 - 7:06 am

  Real pleasure to drive with great feel and comfort!! The smoothest ride on the highway...Bravo to the Sonata!! Love the car

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  40k and rock solid ride - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bob - July 20 - 12:26 am

  We have 40k on our Santa Fe and the ride is still rock solid and rattle free.