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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  NOT GOOD FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Linda - March 31 - 8:36 am

  After driving the car now for eight months, I can now give a more authentic review. I am extremely disappointed in the gas mileage. When I first got the car, the mileage was great. Now eight months later, the mileage is no way as good as when I first purchased the vehicle. The Elantra is a great car if you are only planning to drive around town. The Elantra is NOT for long distance driving. The pick-up is lousy. I have a short commute to work, so the Elantra works for me. Its a nice car for short distance driving.

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  New Tires Please - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Grapeman - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Excellent build quality. The only downfall is a severe handling problem with the small, soft tires. I drive a very windy road to work every day and the Accent is very spooky on some curves. The tires feel like they are going to fold under. It reminds me of the old beetle. It a shame Hyundai cant spend a little more on safer, quality tires and wheels for an otherwise solid car.

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  A Previous Veracruz Owners Review - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ultcar - March 29 - 10:07 pm

  The media said that the 2013 Santa Fe LWB was a Veracruz replacement, but it is not so in reality. They basically nerfed many of the standard convenience features on the Veracruz LTD, so I expect that Hyundai is developing a true Veracruz replacement in the near future. That said, the 2013 Santa Fe Limited is a refined piece of work in its own right. The chair is very comfortable and adjustable and the technology package makes the car feel connected. I do concede that the design outside and inside are several notches ahead of the Veracruz.

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  Fun Little Car - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By blondie7940 - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car for 2 years and love driving it. Its fun and zippy. I have a 5-speed and think its acceleration is pretty good. Its everything I expected for a $10,000 car. The backseat could be a little bigger, but other than that it suits me just fine.

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  Elantra is OK - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Larry J - March 25 - 7:00 am

  Insurance is very high!! Good quality for a low cost car, warranty was the major selling factor for me. It is a little too small for my family now, have to move up to a SUV or mini van.

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  Fun Runaround - 1995 Hyundai Accent
  By renfnl - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car, especially in ways you would not think...like performance, very sure footed, and ample power. However a bit uncomfortable if you intend to leave town with it.

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  turbo pulls to the left - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By esperandrich - March 24 - 9:42 am

  just got the car today. drove it off the lot and pulled to the left like other reviewer pointed out. dealer aligned it and i drove away. still pulled to the left. going back to the dealer this weekend so they can try to fix it. always have the Lemon Law. other than the above everything else is great.

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  Second Hyundai in the family - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By way older man - March 21 - 1:50 am

  Mostly, I am very impressed with this car. I have owned 6 Hondas over the years...they were all great. This mfr has come a long way with their line and particularly with the Elantra. This car needs more "Get-up & Go"... and less (Mitsubishi) engine noise. I can and will live with these two minor flaws...just an annoyance. Best mileage to date: 37 mpg; the qualifier here is: did not exceed 70 mph & no air conditioning on. While the car has no trouble traveling 75/80, the mileage suffers. Watch the tack and keep it as close to 2500 rpm and you will see your best mileage, also use cruise control when possible. Still lovn this car and hope it keeps on keeping on.

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  Who Would Have Thought - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bkhuna - March 20 - 10:46 pm

  I never considered a Hyundai when shopping. I wanted a mid-sized sedan for my wife to use for business and as a car for the two of us to use for weekend use. I looked at the Ford Fusion (I really wanted an American company), Chevy Malibu, Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Altima. The Malibu lost out because it is tacky and Im still ticked about the bail-out. The Camry was boring. The others, comparably equipped, were thousands more than the Sonata. After reading all the reviews and watching a segment on Motor Week Magazine, I test drove and bought the Sonata. Im over six feet tall ant this car has plenty of room. Love the gas mileage. I cant rate the reliability yet.

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  Good car, poor service department - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By The Queen - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Im 64" and very comfortable in this car. The ride for a small car is excellent, better than an accord we also own. Gas mileage not up to expectations however, I have found that non "reformulated gas" delivers about 36 mpg at 75 mph. Unfortunately it isnt available locally. Have brought the car in twice for minor service. Both times, dealership broke something and had to wait for parts. At least they gave me a new Sante Fe to use, and it cost me nothing.