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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  best family Sidan - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dead - January 2 - 11:23 pm

  i bought my GLS 2.4 sonata in Feb. 2006 and it was the best automotive decision i ever made the bulid quality is the best and after 1.5 year im still in love with this car if im in the market for midsize car i would never buy anything else ,, im really amazed wih korian quality .. HYUNDAI keep it ON .

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  Our experience..... - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Shannan - January 2 - 9:20 am

  We have had our Entourage for over a year, and have been overall happy with our van. As a family with 5 children, we give two thumbs up for spaciousness and being comfortable. I love the deep well in the rear for grocery shopping day. The two side auto doors are so helpful! I have found the gas mileage to be horrible at 17 mpg on the hywy. Also, I do not like that every time I fill up the van with gas....without warning, when it is full, gas spews out! I have to be careful.

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  Love It - 2012 Hyundai TUCSON
  By adamsdad1 - January 2 - 2:08 am

  Ive owned my 2012 Tucson GLS for two months now and just love it ! It handles well..rides great..and just an all around in & out attractive vehicle. Is it the quietest..or the smoothest..or have all the bells and whistles..NO, but it didnt cost me 45,000 or more either ! The mileage is VERY close to what is stated, Im getting 21-22 around town. I have the Iris Blue and get compliments on the car all the time. I have no complaint at all. Worth the money.

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  Not all is perfect - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By ACT - January 1 - 3:03 pm

  Purchased Limited w/nav in Jan 09, traded in 2002 Honda EX and paid 16K, best deal for 4-door sedan bar none. Incredible list of features for the money, and after 5500 miles, I feel this car is superior to Honda. Happy with engine performance, seat comfort, sound system. But considerable body roll and suspension noise on bad pavement, as many people have noted. Gas mileage not as good as advertised, only getting 18mpg in city. Mileage computer only tracks mileage since last fill-up, no lifetime stats. Controls on drivers door not lit, hard to find at night. Limited options for viewing and playing music on USB drive. Trunk is hard to close when holding something, you really have to push down.

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  Awesome little car! - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By Leo - January 1 - 1:00 pm

  Mine is the sedan with automatic and bought it almost 2 years ago from the original owner. The car feels solid and has amazing fuel economy. This last year took it to 2 road trips from Nevada to Ensenada, Mexico and my wife and I are very surprised of this car! Cruising at 75mph the car feels safe and stable. Its no Lexus or Mercedes, but it offers enough room and comfort for up to 4 people. Its a basic commuter car but we just love it.

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  Super value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tym T - January 1 - 10:32 am

  I bought this car used and commute across town daily. I have had zero problems! As others have said, the fit and finish and quality of build is far better than expected. The switches feel solid. It is fast (coming from an owner of many muscle cars) and inspires confidence in traffic. I would like a bit tighter suspension, but I didnt buy it as a sports car,so thats fine. The seat felt strange for about one day, and Ive found it quite comfortable in the last year. I have no problems with the AC/heater controls and radio positions that others have noted. I added a subwoofer to the factory stereo and it is incredible, and I still have lots of trunk. This car is a great value.

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  cheap price, great value - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By car shopper - January 1 - 2:00 am

  We drove it for a year. With 300 miles long distance trip every week. Nothing needed repair, just smooth. My hus just had an accident and walked out unharmed at all. The car was totaled mainly because the cost to fix it can buy a new one. We are happy with the result especialy my husband is not hurt. Next vehicle is going to be the Santa Fe and we currently still owns a Tiburon. We believe we have put our money into true values. We paid 14000 total for the Elantra, which includes tax, etc.

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  Dont Buy One!!! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Bernie - December 31 - 10:09 pm

  We bought this van because of what you were supposed to get for the money. The van is very nice looking inside and out, however the problems just keep getting bigger. Problems started with warning lights coming on then the A/C compressor, now its the brakes and doors.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By bradstew - December 31 - 3:56 pm

  I needed a quiet, comfortable car that I take on long trips. I looked at luxury models including Lexus and Mercedes. For about $15K less, the Azera compares favorably. Its smooth and powerful, and most importantly, quiet. Gas mileage is decent--about 21-22 around town and 27 on the highway. Quality is outstanding. And the engine is responsive and powerful.

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  My Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Monica K. - December 31 - 4:40 am

  This is one of the most reliable vehicles I have owned. I was in a horrible crash (T-bonedI was doing 40 she was 20, I did not flip), and the other vehicle was totaled (front end torn off) my Santa Fe looked remarkable. A blown tire, dented (inside) door, and the axle. Other then that, I have replaced a few fuses. Thats it. I love driving it. Quick pick up, handles great around sharp corners, looks sharp on the outside, inside features easy to reach, comfortability OK.