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 family car! - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Love it - May 12 - 2:22 pm

  I never thought I would drive a minivan but I actually like this one. It is a great family vehicle and it rides very nice.

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  new GLS Accent 2009 manual - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By kisiel - May 12 - 2:18 pm

  I needed second car, so we decided to buy something small and fuel efficient. So the most important for me was fuel economy, I did not care about others "comforts". So after two months I have to admit economy is good, when I am not speeding (average 50 mph) accent is doing about 37 mpg! I read editors review here on Edmunds and I knew that accent does not belong to demons of speed, but I am fine with this. So car let say is ok, worth money I gave, but I would do more improvements: 1) put smaller engine (1.4l) so they will beat Toyota in fuel efficiency 2) I do not really like in this car gear stick is not smooth and is hard to change gear, Hyundai schould work on this in manuals.

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  My Tiburon - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Louise - May 12 - 8:16 am

  I love my car, ive never had a problem with its performance,and I receive many compliments, i bought it in sunburst yellow so it stands out. I have the six speed version and its fast, it doesnt drag to get going, it has comfortable front seats, the back seats lay down for more space if needed. I was skeptical on buying a Hyundai and walked the whole lot and this one just caught my eye and I never regretted my decision.

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  Ruby - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Carl Carlson - May 12 - 3:00 am

  I love my car, though it looks like a rhinoceros. Lots of interior room, great Heat & A/C. Smooth, quiet ride. Inexpensive enough that I am not paranoid about keeping in shiny. Good automobile for a gal looking for a SUV.

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  Great Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By timmy - May 11 - 6:13 pm

  Bought the car about 3 months ago, have over 6000 miles on it. Very comfortable, decent acceleration, average almost 32 mpg combined unless I am hard on it.

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  Overlooked Mini Genesis - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By WHG - May 11 - 8:01 am

  Great car, but right in the gap between Sonata and Genesis. I am now on my 3rd Genesis, a 2017 G80 Tech 6cyl; the past 2 were 8s. We just bought a 2016 Azera Ltd to replace my Wifes 2012 Sonata. The Azera has almost all the features of my G80, and few I dont have. If you are looking, and would love to have a front wheel drive car, but like the Genesis, look at the 16+ Azera Ltd

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  1 year review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By James - May 11 - 5:10 am

  Review: 10 months, 10,000 miles, relatively heavy-footed and agressive driving style. If curb appeal is your thing, this is definitely your car. My metallic-beige LmtEd draws glowing comments (inside and out) everywhere it goes. Power and refinement remain excellent as well. In a recent 2000 mile trip I rarely cruised at below 80 MPH, often hit 100 effortlessly, and topped out at 120 for one memorable 45 minute stretch. Nitpicks: The handling is somewhat mushy. The car needs a performance handling option. The mileage could be better. I know, I drive too fast. The steering wheel stereo controls could incorporate MANY more features using only the same amount of buttons.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By Benjamin A. - May 10 - 6:15 pm

  As much as I want to say that my new car is great in every way... It isnt. But its extremely GOOD and very well priced. The interior materials use hard plastics in very unfortunate places (hurts to rest elbow or side of knee on door panel!), the seat bolsters arent big enough for slippery leather, and winter traction has been downright alarming. On the other hand, the stereo has absolutely fantastic sound, the car has a very comfortable suspension and steering, and while it is on the slow side, its great for cruising once youre up to speed. Fuel economy has also been better than expected. The place where it really shines though, is price. It was a full $4000 less than similarly outfitted midsize sedans. While it isnt the best car Ive ever owned, its not far off, and the value-for-money is outstanding.

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  2012 Tucson Limited FWD - 2012 Hyundai TUCSON
  By psanning - May 10 - 3:15 pm

  Owned for 7 months, have racked up 14000 miles. As weather conditions vary in central Midwest, its handled well in snow. Safety features, quality all positives. Just returned from 3500 mile driving vacation, avgd 29.7 mpg - included interestate, local hwy and city driving. We were very pleased with performance & comfort. Suspension would be a bit better (for Arizona hwy driving--roads stink) and some road noise but not so bad as to want to trade. Yes, there are blindside issues but Ive gotten use to them & have adjusted. At purchase, very few colors available - mostly all dark - I couldnt get my 1st or 2nd color choice.

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  Proud Genesis Owner - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By rbnesp1993 - May 10 - 1:33 pm

  After previously owning 2 mustangs, I am a believer, this auto can do it all. The 4 with the turbo can get up and go, never thought I would own another Hyundai, but this car is tight, quality interior accessories, quality in all aspects. If you can purchase this vehicle, you will be surprised, better yet, just take one out for a test drive, apply the throttle, hello.