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:

• 

  Another Tucson that could get someone killed. - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Steve - June 28 - 9:31 am

  Purchased car four months ago and loved it until about 3500 miles when the transmission started acting up, at an intersection, step on the gas and car goes nowhere, just like youre in neutral. Took in in to the dealer was told the tranny needed a software update, got it back the next day took it for a long ride in the mountains and guess what happened. Dealer doesnt know how to fix it now, started a case with Hyundai, I am refusing to accept it back from the dealer until it is safe. Got a call from Hyundai a few days ago, they tell me they are working on a fix but it is three to five weeks out, they did however, offer to buy it back. I read the sample buyback letter and it looks like if I accept the offer I will pay for mileage, lose the money paid for gap insurance, and since I was about $1800 upside down in my trade in I will owe that money too, great, I will owe $3000 and have no vehicle. Awesome service for a defective car that could have killed someone. Thanks very much Hyundai, my fifth new Hyundai purchase will be my last.

• 

  The car is junk. - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Joe S - June 28 - 8:48 am

  After 9,000 miles, Im embarrassed to take people in the car. Theres a new rattle every day - the doors, the dash, you name it. Its worse than the 1980s GM cars. The car restarts itself - people really laugh at me when that happens. The nav sends me into lakes. The transmission clunks. The engine stalls pulling out into traffic, which is terrifying. You cant stand to sit in it for more than 30 minutes. It vibrates. In cold weather, it clears one side of the wind shield and freezes the other. The rear defroster does nothing. The list is endless. Im a real customer and not a shill thats why youre getting the real truth from me.

• 

  It is a pleasure to drive this car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Gurmeet - June 27 - 4:24 pm

  We bought this as a second car to our first one being MB GL550 and I have to tell you from interior and performance perspective it is comparable but from technology perspective this car is years ahead of MB. Ride is great, acceleration is awesome - mixed freeway, in-town driving is giving us 18.5-19.5 mpg with only 450 miles on it so far

• 

  Better than expected - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Smithey - June 27 - 2:20 pm

  I bought the vehicle knowing it was a good vehicle because of the hyundai brand. I never thought it was going to be a smooth driving as it is. The ride is amazing it turns heads when i drive by, and i love all the features, well worth the money!!!

• 

  Too noisy for a small car - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By MOHAMMAD GHAFERI - June 27 - 5:06 am

  I bought it a month ago. It does the job of taking me around but for an engine this size it is too noisy.

• 

  Look out toyota - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lee reiman - June 27 - 3:56 am

  This car is the best kept secret in the automotive industry.Absolute impeccable quality inside and out.Its very obvious that Hyundai has done its home work and is producing a mid size suv that will compete with high end name plates in its class.I have just recently purchased my first Korean car and can not say enough abouthow happy I am with the purchase.I am very proud of this vehicle.

• 

  I got a good deal - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Wigglypuff - June 26 - 4:27 pm

  I researched sedans on Edmunds 3 years ago and compare all the foreign cars as well as domestic. Hyundai turned out to be the best deal hands down over ALL OTHER car makers. So I decided from that point forth to buy a Hyundai. I got a great deal from my dealership (below invoice per Edmunds). I have 27000 miles on this car. I havent had any real problems with it (except for the recall). I have since upgraded this car with the factory keyless start system (its awesome). Great fuel economy. I started off getting 27-31mpg. Now Im getting 35mpg. Ive driven this car in treacherous snow conditions and she handled like a breeze. Ill probably update again at 50k miles.

• 

  10th Birthday and still going strong! - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By mweinmann - June 26 - 7:43 am

  I purchased this car in 2000 when it was one year old. I was looking for an economical, dependable car. This little gem has exceeded all of my expectations. I fit an unbelievable amount of stuff in the back....it is so much larger than it looks from the outside. My fuel bills are less than anyone that I know.....it drives great in snow....and the best part is that I have had to put so little $$$$ in this car!! At ten years old, it is still going strong. Best value I have ever had.

• 

  Simply a Great Buy - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Careful Buyer - June 26 - 5:02 am

  I researched plenty b4 buying my Elantra because I wanted a problem-free car (a real challenge when buying used). The 04 Elantra is highly rated by many car reviewers. Having owned mine for 6 months and driven 12,000 miles, I want to share how wonderful owning this car has been. I bought this car with 52K mi on it. It is a loaded 5-spd GT Hatch. I like the styling inside and out. I have not had a single mechanical problem. I have had to replace one headlight bulb and it was easy. If the biggest complaint about a car is changing headlight bulbs, common sense told me it is a smart car to buy. And the gas mileage? 35 MPG combined thats 450 mi b4 the fuel light comes on! Worth every $ I paid.

• 

  New Van - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By WCarinci - June 26 - 1:00 am

  I have had two other types of mini vans and this van drives and performs by far above the rest. It has tremendous room and the ability to with one hand change the seating capabilities. This is a great family vehicle. The safety features and the security of them with poor weather approaching is a comfort with our family having a new baby. Thank you Hyundai, this is a fantastic asset.