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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  Personal experience - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Al - August 26 - 3:33 am

  I am 69 years old and I found my perfect car in the Hyundai Sonata. I have been looking for a new car for 6 months. This car has it all. Quiet ride, roomy, plenty of zip getting onto freeway, good looks, good price. I have been getting between 24 & 26 MPG around town. The only option I bought was the power seat and I am glad I did.

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  Look out Honda! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By kerriandwill - August 25 - 1:53 am

  I just came home from buying the new 2007 Hyundai Veracruz. It has more power and a smoother ride than the Pilot. I went to buy a new Santa Fe, but fell in love with the Veracruz. Hyundai has packed a lot into this model, even in the base and it has the room. Second row sliding seats allow for adult size room in the 3rd row. Engine is smooth and fuel economy is great. I took a 200 mile trip and got 24.8 mpg. Everyone is looking at this car when I drive by. Look out Honda!!!

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  Goodbye SUV....lovin the van! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By AZ Entrourage - August 24 - 11:54 pm

  Probably the best bang-for-your-buck vehicle on the planet, and it looks sharp, too! Paid $25K out the door for an SE trim even with over $1K upside down on the trade. SE trim is worth the extra $$ -- much "nicer" inside and out. I dont know how the rest of these people drive, but gas mileage for me averages between 20 and 23 mpg -- great considering it has the biggest engine in its class. Drives like a dream -- great visibility, power and comfort. Considering a comparably equipped Honda or Toyota was $8K, not to mention their warranties were no match, the decision on this vehicle was an easy one!

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  Swinger for seniors - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By papatom - August 24 - 4:24 am

  We bought our 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited in the spring of 2012, and have driven it 70,000 miles. We are senior citizens (one still working, one retired) -- we say that because neither one of us was looking for a high-performance car with impressive off-the-line acceleration. In fact, we have never driven it out of "Eco" mode. The performance is fine by our standards. Gas mileage on our frequent highway trips is 35 to 40 mpg; this car seems to like tailwinds a lot. Our only warranty issue was that the steering wheel began to peel. The dealer replaced the steering wheel promptly; the problem has not recurred. The dealers service department has been excellent; they often suggest added preventive maintenance, but never push for it. Surprisingly, the dealer offered the best price on tires (offering a wide range of brands). We bought the Limited for the tan leather interior. The Limited came with 17-inch wheels and low-profile tires. I would have preferred 16-inch wheels with higher profile tires (which would offer a wider range of replacement options). Overall, the Elantra is as good a car as weve ever owned.

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  Lovin it - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lovin it - August 23 - 11:26 pm

  I LOVE this car! Ive been spying the Hyundai Sonata from the first time I saw it. Being a person who gets what she needs rather than what she wants...I had to wait untill I needed a new car before I could buy one. I bought my goreous Sonata last month and I am lovinit! It is so sweet. The way it handles...drives on the highway...awesome. It is so good looking and comfortable I feel like Im getting away with something. Do yourself a favor...test drive this sweet ride.

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  Up -and-Comer - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jimmy Cole - August 23 - 9:50 pm

  You will not see this car reviewed in many magazines, but do not let that stop you from considering these little pocket rockets. One drive and you will see what the combined efforts of the Koreans and certain Japanese companies, are spawning a love-child of possible historic value. I personally bought the 2.0L 4 cylinder with a manual transmission due to rising gas costs. But if you want power to spare you should go with the GT V-6. I do not know why all the magazines are not testing these cars, but I am sure once they start testing them there will be a great demand in America for them.

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  What an awesome machine! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Patricia - August 23 - 9:36 pm

  I really like this car. I have a 2005 Elantra and I am amazed at the differences. Both are excellent autos, but I really like the classy feel to my new 2008. She gets great gas mileage, good on the roads, and just overall a very comfortable car.

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  The Facts - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Bob S - August 23 - 5:40 pm

  For the mileage I drive mostly highway (80%)and after 3000 miles I averaged 22 MPG. I can only say that if you are seeing 15 MPG as some have stated, there is a serious problem that needs to be looked at. I cant see why there isnt more of them on the road. My dealer took 2 weeks to find one in red and they didnt have any on their lot. My negatives are... No mp3 jack. Brakes are way too sensitive. Hyundais radios have always been poor. ( I have owned 4 other Hyundais)The reception is even worse with the in the window antenna. Darker carpet color to hide tracked in dirt. Floor mats are not standard. Give me a break.

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  Far superior value to Toyota or Honda - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Tom - August 23 - 2:33 am

  After extensive research & lots of hoofing it on foot in car lots, & many test drives the Tucson rose to the top like cream. The Honda CR-V is ugly & uncomfortable, the RAV-4 was *way* overpriced & lacked features we wanted & the Toyota dealers were arrogant beyond belief. As soon as we drove the Tucson, it was obvious. Super quality build, all the features one could ever need (Even in the bottom of the line GL trim we purchased), & most importantly, safety features beyond compare. Throw in the warranty & it is a no brainier. I find it hard to believe anyone would buy an RAV-4, which is overpriced to start then the dealer wants list price. Yeah right, Ill take my Hyundai thank you.

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  WOW!!!! What a GREAT Car - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Roger - August 22 - 3:34 pm

  I now have my Azera Limited for about 2 weeks. All I can say it what a truly great car it is. You sit back and feel like you are driving a $40-50,000 car. The features are excellent, but the drive is what really sold me. It is quieter than the Mercedes or BMW I previously owned. My Acura lease was up so I decided to see what the Azera was all about. On the test drive I could tell it was built well and was the car for me. It is very quiet and yet has plenty of power with its 263 HP engine. All my friends ask "what is this---it is beautiful". When I take them for a ride, they just cant believe how nice and luxurious it is. We are so glad we decided to get the Azera.