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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  pleasantly suprised - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Danlo13 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  There usually is a catch to unbelievably low sticker prices. Not this time. Although I expected the standard features and read the good reviews here before buying, I was pleasantly suprised by the steering and shock absorbsion. Even with the auto transmission, the car climbs very steep hills easily. More suprising was that it handles rough roads more comfortably than my American make (2001) minivan. Handles the curves very well and has good acceleration.

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  Think green. - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Go Green - May 26 - 10:16 pm

  So today I bought my 2008 Hyundai Accent in the bright green. I think its called candy apple. Anyway, I have put all of 5 miles on it so I will be writing a follow up review but thus far I absolutely love it. It has an aux jack which is a plus, 90 days free XM and great fuel economy. I would opt for the SE if possible because of the extra features but they didnt have one so I settled and do not regret it. It is a little slow to accelerate which any one of these reviews will tell you, but the fuel economy makes up for it. As far as ride goes its great. Its my first Hyundai and I am super happy. Just do your research because thats what smart car buying is. I hope this was helpful.

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  Santa Fe 2005 - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Frank - May 26 - 5:00 pm

  Excellent value for the money. Good overall quality and fun to drive. Many extras that would cost more on competitive models, plus you cannot beat the warranty and free roadside assistance.

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  Just top Prodigy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By PRODIGY - May 26 - 1:03 pm

  very proud and happy to with what hyundai have done with its brand lately, my sonata was the base gl version i wanted an suv or either a toyota or honda sedan after testting several camrys and accords from diffrent dealers i almost bought the camry, i was so close to buy a camry that all i needed was to bring back a proof of insurance, but next door was a hyundai dealer so i gave my self options and now i drive a sonata gl, i love the pick up from the 4 banger engine, you dont feel too slow on the streets, very comfortable for even my 3 kids riding in the back seat, roomy interior and trunk, very good on ga$, the only time i take it to dealer is to change the oil not flaws yet,best warrant

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  Excellent - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bernardo - May 26 - 8:33 am

  I have just bought the Santa Fe for my wife and newborn son and I am amazed by the high quality and luxury features. Unbeatable price, big warranty, and better trim level. Was initially considering Toyota Highlander, but disapointed with price and low quality on test drive. Was starting to consider smaller SUVs with better trim, but was unable to scape the Santa Fe. My brother has a Tucson for 2 years now and he also loves his car. I guess we will be a hyundai family.

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  Early Genesis 4.6 Review - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By horse56 - May 26 - 2:50 am

  Took delivery today. Excellent build and performance. Ergonomics above average. Plenty of room for 64" driver (and legroom in back). Tech package definitely worth buying. Nav software not as good as Fords Navteq, but acceptable. As quiet as my 93 Mercedes S-class at highway speeds. Lexicon sound system wont knock your socks off with bass, but has very sophisticated imaging that is superior.

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  Love this vehicle - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By alex170 - May 24 - 6:13 pm

  First cross over Ive ever owned always had SUVs. So far I love it, very classy,comfortable, snappy! I hope it is everything I am expecting.

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  update to my previous review: SamboPA - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Sambo - May 24 - 2:21 am

  so my previous review was very positive and I said I would comment once I drove the car more... I still like the car but have found a few small issues with the car: the light in the cargo area is very small weak and totally offset to the left when I am off roads and in the middle of nowhere it is very pitch black back there... I agree the automatic lift gate is pretty slow - so be it.... the wiring for the approach lighting is not even installed on the car, Hyundai assures me they will fix this in good time.... the glove compartment has no lock on it (this is obvious but I overlooked it) Finally I am still not used to the shifting when the car is under 40 MPH it has a hair trigger gas pedal and I feel it shifts too much under 40MPH..... also sensitive breaks - both I think will improve once I drive the car more - my insurance has one of those little computers that records everything to try to give me a discount and I am getting tons of hits for fast acceleration and hard breaking and I am truly doing everything I can to NOT do this but it keeps happening.....doesnt help I am still driving my old car every other day and I have to actually push on the gas or break to get results...also reading the maintenance schedule has me concerned about the 4WD but Hyundai people say no thats only for heavy constant off road use - I hope they are right. I hope wear and tear holds up on this smaller but powerful turbo engine and "dry" dual clutch transmission...the fuel economy seems to be holding true but I have no long highway trips yet....feedback from friends and total strangers is positive they seem mesmerized by the wheels and shape/style asking what is that - obviously it looks more like a Santa fee and I have had some people this it is in Infinity or MazdaCX5 or a few others and they get VERY upset and argue with me when I say it is a Tucson and they say that have "glued" the Tucson emblem on the back of the car......

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  Perfect for single mother - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Speedracer - May 22 - 1:51 pm

  I got my accent last year in July. I have about 25000 miles on my car in less than a year. I live in DC but work in Annapolis so that is an average of 64 miles just for work. It is just me and my 4 year old and I absolutely love this car. I drive to New York at least once a month, the last time i was able to drive from DC into NJ then into NY and halfway onto the NJ turnpike on one tank of gas. I went for this car because I know nothing about cars and the best feature is the free road side assistance when you purchase the car as new. The car can also withstand a lot.I have been in two accidents with minimal damage to my car but major damage to the others

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  very satisfied - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Cecil Gregoire - May 22 - 12:26 pm

  I have only had this vehicle a little over a month, and after trading in a Subaru WRX, was not sure but what I would find this change less exhilarating.To my surprise the Tucson is a fun SUV to drive and offers all that I was hoping for in comfort, gas mileage, zip and style. After a long history of sports car, I think I will be an enthusiast for Hyundai.