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:

• 

  Excellent Value, Car like Ride.......... - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By IlovemySantaFe - January 8 - 6:03 am

  I am so happy with my new Santa Fe I had to come on-line and write a review. It has everything I wanted and more, excellent value and warranty and the sales experience were quick and painless. My salesperson Bobby explained everything and showed me all the features and benifits of buying a quality Suv. Most important Hyundai has done so much to improve the quality of their cars and with their warranty I have no worries.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By sshawkins - January 7 - 1:03 pm

  Ive been driving the car for 3 weeks, and was concerned about the Hyundai name. This car is great to drive and the fit and finish are excellent. I am averaging about 22 miles per gallon, which isnt too bad for the 3.3L V6. I traded a VW Jetta for the Hyundai, and havent been disappointed. The back leg room is great for teens, and they especially love the blue dash lights.

• 

  Love It - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Firefly - January 7 - 12:40 pm

  We were deciding between the Hyundai Azera and the Buick Lucerne. After driving both cars and reading the reviews in Edmunds.com, we decided to purchase the Azera. The milage is as advertised as we got 29 MPH on a round trip from Phoenix to LA and back. In town we are doing 23/24. The performance is outstanding. I really have to be careful not to push it because it is so quick. The ride is smooth and quiet. The car is really sharp and we get a lot of comments on how well it looks.

• 

  Good for the big guy - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Larry - January 4 - 6:33 am

  I am 66", 350 pounds and have been looking for a small car that I fit in for quite some time. I have found it with the Elantra. I have a 2004 Town Car and a 2007 Tundra which have plenty of room but not that great mileage for an everyday driver. I can actually exit the Elantra easier than I can the Lincoln as it has more head room. The interior is a little narrower and the leg room a little less but I am larger than most and I figure I have to give up something for that 34 mpg. The car is very impressive. The mileage on a trip was 34.5 and in all town driving in the 29 range. The acceleration is good and plenty of power for the MO hills. I would recommend the SE to anyone.

• 

  Fun to Drive! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Happy Hyundai Owner - January 3 - 7:11 pm

  I love my Elantra! It handles like a sports car, with tight cornering. Climate control is great and the heated seats are SO nice! The sound system is nice, with lots of speakers. The accessory outlet is handy, but the steering wheel audio controls are the best! Cruise control is precise. Trunk space is good with drop-down seats for added length. Good leg-room in rear seat. The ride could be softer to feel the bumps less harshly, but its firm and responsive. I think its sporty and fun, especially in red!

• 

  Awesome little coupe - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By 08Tib - January 3 - 3:26 pm

  I have had this car for over a month and even though thats not a long time I cant help myself but write a review. The car is pretty quick, not fast but quick for a daily driver. I like the interior design also over something like the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Chevy Colbalt. It looks unbelievable at night too. All in all its a great car but the engine should be able to put out more power stock. Nothing a little aftermarket support cant fix though :).

• 

  Great Little Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hugh G. Rection - January 3 - 1:55 pm

  I purchased this car used with 58000 miles on it. The Carfax report said that it had been a rental in its previous life. Despite that, this car looks great, drives great and even with a V6 is good with fuel economy. I have since put 12,000 miles on the car and have had no problems. Just put on some new tires and have been diligent with the oil changes. I hope this car performs for another 30,000 or so. Then it should be about time to buy a new Hyundai.(Ill get the warranty next time:)

• 

  BETTER and BETTER EACH DAY - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By lindalee - January 2 - 10:18 am

  I research this site among others before buying and I definitely am happy after 3 months. So glad I finally decided to get rid of my volvo s80, which was always a headache. I get 28mpg on highways on my Azera, which surprised me. I love the sound system, xm radio, seats wipers and auto dimming on mirrors. I bought a garmin gps which tucks neatly into the open storage under the radio.

• 

  Fun vehicle to drive - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Sunshine state - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Priced out many other simular size SUV and for the price the Sante Fe ofter the most. We have not had the vehicle very long but are very happy we made the decision to go with the upgraded model. Enjoying it very much.

• 

  MJGIRL - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By MJGIRL7 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I am enjoing the Elantra totally. Engine is quiet, and powerful for a 4 cylinder. Gas mileage is great, and it handles great. ABS and traction control are not standard options and they should be.