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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  What a lovely car!!. Great MPG - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By citizencane - February 11 - 2:40 am

  I have never considered buying a Hyundai before. However, 2011 Sonata really changed my attitude toward this car company. Everything is perfect for a midise family sedan. Especially, mps is very impressive. I could get almost 30 MPG during ordinary drive(50/50). Very satisfying

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  Bang for the buck! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By jnelson - February 10 - 10:19 pm

  I have almost 18,000 miles on the car now and not one problem. Have done oil changes every 3000 miles. Rides nice, is quiet, gets 32mpg. My Smart car gets 39-44. The Elantra rides better too! Great warranty. All things considered a truly great car.

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  Velociraptor Girls Club - 2015 Hyundai Veloster
  By Kris Kelly - February 10 - 7:03 pm

  Our family loved my 2014 Veloster so much we went back and got the 2015 Matte Grey for my 18 year old daughter when she graduated high school. We are seriously considering getting the 2016 Matte Blue next. We do live in Florida so we dont have to worry about snow, so cant speak to the other review complaining about the snow but you can preheat the vehicle by remote on some models I think. Anyway we love, love, love this car!

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  Doubting Hyundai buyer - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By JW - February 10 - 3:17 pm

  When you turn your car on, does your car turn you on? Mine does! The only problem I had was the position the highlights were reflecting on the road, but the dealership adjusted. This car is wonderful. From the sleek exterior design, the plush interior to the horse power under the hood. My husband forced me to test drive a Sonata, but when we went into the dealership and I saw this Azera I knew it was something special. Like other comments Ive read, its hard to believe there arent more on the road.

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  So far so good - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By HusbandOfToyotaLover - February 10 - 2:19 pm

  Bought my Hyundai Elantra 2009. I had to convince my wife, who is a loyal Toyota driver, that at 15K - 16K Hyundai Elantra is the best deal over against any Corolla we can buy. So far I havent regret it and my wife likes it. The engine is adequate, I mean who buys an Elantra to floor-it anyway? It is surprisingly comfortable and handling is surprisingly adequate (mind you I am used to driving Honda Civic myself.) Rear seat is small but trunk space is adequate. I have to say, at the price for VSC, ESP, ABS, XM (3 months), BlueTooth, MP3, and IPod player this car is the best bang for the buck. Of course you will take a hit at resale so keep that in mind. We like to drive them to death

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  Updated 05 Tucson GLS review - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By shane1v - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the Tuc for a year and 7 months/18,500 miles now. I do like the car overall. The main problem is GAS MILEAGE. Check a few Tucson forums and you will find this is a major complaint. I get about 14mpg city! That is unacceptable. Hyundai has to address this, there IS a problem. Ive also had a couple problems(A/C system almost caught fire) that required dealer attention. Other than this, I really enjoy the Tucson. Great looking, inside is very nice and well thought out, & all the standard safety features make this a great value Also, if you run into snow where you live, get the AWD. I wish I did now. PS to some other posters-I dont think the sideview mirrors are heated.

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  Love this car! - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Meghan - February 9 - 10:32 am

  I bought this car in September 08 as a replacement for my previous car, a 96 Saturn SL2. I test drove this car and the Yaris before ultimately purchasing the Accent. The Yaris felt narrow while the Accent felt much wider, and has a warranty that cant be beat, for a couple thousand dollars less. There have been mixed reviews about gas mileage but I am averaging 30mpg with the manual. This car turns on a dime, and I have gotten TONS of compliments about how cute the car is. (Tango Red - looks much better in real life than on the website). The shifter isnt as smooth as the Yaris, but all in all I am very satisfied with my purchase.

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  Not as great as expected - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Karen - February 9 - 2:33 am

  Car looks like quality but after driving it a few months can see that I may have overpaid for what I got, Rides stiff (could be the SE model), tires had flat spots, some surprises and some disappointments--lots of storage spaces, vinyl inside doors, dash, seats scratch too easy, good head & leg room, Worst feature is the way all 4 doors unlock when car put into park (I got nervous at a gas station on a recent trip, I was getting my credit card out of my purse before exiting my car and realized some questionable guys nearby were "checking me out" and I wasnt safe with my back doors unlocked--gotta always remember to immediately re-lock the car when parking so no one jumps into backseat or side.

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  bad ass - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By shirley - February 9 - 12:20 am

  na, just bought it 3 weeks ago, love it. simmering white. rearview camera, leather seats. just beautiful. still learning the ins & out. I just love this car,the style+make cannot be beat.the first time I ever picked the first car I seen.

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  No complaints...except for the way it eats tires. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rmcg77 - February 8 - 2:27 pm

  I didnt see a place in the ratings for that, but it seems the Santa Fe has a penchant for tires. Something I read on another forum about the way the AWD has a natural toe-in or something. Whatever...I never seem to get more than 35,000 miles out of a set of tires, which is expensive as hell with 18" wheels. Other than than, this car has been a gem. My friends bought an Infinity Crossover the same year, for $25,000 more, and were shocked...wouldnt have spent the extra money if theyd known the Hyundais were so nice. But Hyundai was still working the "cheap" reputation back then. No longer. Weve been looking at a Vera Cruz now, but new models are due so I think well wait to upgrade.