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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  Good Solid Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Darin - July 13 - 11:08 am

  I bought my car new and have had little to no problems with it. I have replaced the normal items like tires, belts, etc. I have owned 2 Hyundais and both cars I have over 200,000 miles on. Will buy again

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  Great value for latest safety features - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dkslc - July 13 - 1:00 am

  I bought the 2007 Sonata at 0% APR. No interest, nothing beats that. I was looking for car with all the safety features. I dont care about horse powers or handling at high speeds. I care about going from point A to point B more safely than my old car. This car does and saves me a lot of buck. 260 hp is not going to get me to work/grocery any faster than 160 hp. So if you are looking to get a good car with good safety features and save a buck while at it, go with the sonata.

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  Amazing bang for buck value here - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By meathead212121 - July 12 - 3:32 pm

  Leased a new Sonata after owning a 2007 and wanting something with more pizaz. Looked at/drove the Mazda 6, Mazda 3, Genesis, Sonata, and Ford Taurus. Mazda 6 was pretty peppy for a heavier 4-cylinder sedan but I didnt think it quite had the rep everyone built it up to have in other reviews. The 3 is an amazing little car and handled like a dream but in the end we decided we wanted something larger. The Genesis was hands down the best thing we touched all day with the AWD package on it. Even with the 3.8 it had some MAJOR giddiup to it. The Sonata balanced out the 3 and Genesis offering both decent handling quality and acceleration. We then drove the Taurus to essentially rule it out.

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  Windows not tempered enough - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By offalycute - July 12 - 12:32 pm

  The windows on my Elantra are not tinted enough and the care get extrememly hot - enough to heat a meal if left on dashboard and I have a wheel cover on the steering wheel so I can touch it. I live in the south and it gets very hot. On long trips I have to keep something over my knees if it is in the summer and I have on short pants. The AC is somewhat inadequate unless run on high. Contacted Hyuandi America and they claim it is a problem for the dealership. So much for customer satisfaction. Will not purchase another one

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  Elated by this car! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By RJJZOhio - July 12 - 9:15 am

  I cant say enough good things about this car. 8,000 miles so far and not a single problem. Performance is awesome, handling is very good and the ride, for my standards is just perfect. I have owned BMWs and a Mecedes before this car and never thought I would buy a Hyundai. Well, I dont think Ill ever waist $30K again just for the sake of a Euro label. This car is in every way that matters to me, a better car. I simply love it!

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  Awesome car! - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Daily Driver - July 12 - 5:17 am

  26 months, rolled 56,000 miles with NO issues. Observed fuel mileage of 30 MPG, combined. First set of tires lasted 30K miles am still on the original brakes, front and rear. I change the oil every 5,000 miles. Threw in a K&N Filter when new so the 30K service was just an oil change, tranny flush, and fresh plugs for $150, total. Was thrilled to find out this car has a timing chain not a belt so no $500 timing belt service is needed at 60K, just fresh plugs, coolant flush, brake line flush, and probably another tranny flush with an oil change to the tune of about $300. I drive the car every day and drive it hard. Its been well cared for and has performed flawlessly for me.

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  One Helluva Car - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By sgtusmc - July 11 - 12:34 pm

  I never, never ever thought that I would buy a Hyundai. But, I did. And I am forever so glad. I have owned over 40 cars including Lincoln, Lexus, Buick, Lancia, Karmin Ghia, Oldsmobile, Ford, Volvo, etc. and by far this 08 Hyundai Azera drives circles around all of them. I traded an 07 Buick Lucerne CXS after only 9 months of shear frustration with all of the problems including a bad vibration whenever the engine was doing 1500 rpms regardless of the speed of the car. And the turning radius was horrendous. And you could not see the instrument in the daytime. And the front seat belts were nonfunctional (would not lock up). And on and on and on. This Azera was an answer to my prayers

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  worth every penny - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By frank wagner - July 11 - 4:33 am

  The 2010 elantra touring se/manual is a well built car and easy to drive. Plenty of leg room and comfort for front and back passengers. I traded in my Hyundai elantra 2000 gls manual that I had driven for 10 years. It held up remarkably well and Im sure the touring will do the same. The touring handles the road extremely well and the cloth interior is exceptionally attractive. This car delivers a very smooth ride and is a pleasure to drive on long trips.

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  Middle of the Road - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By picky picky - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I looked at Hyundai because of the warranty...and I fell in love with the leather seats, luxury features, and smooth ride for the great price. However, Ive been disappointed with the paint job, the fuel economy with the lack of pick up, and looking at trade in value...yikes! I like my XG, but I think Ill go back to Toyota for my next car.

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  Is it perfect now? (03) - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By cobas - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This car makes commuting a pleasure I look forward to twice a day. After six months, I still dont like having to get out of it, and still look back at it after parking. I cant believe what I paid for it. I get nothing but compliments on the ride and interior, and the cargo space is huge. I stuffed a 6-foot pine tree back there with the hatch closed and room to spare. I keep discovering thoughtful details.