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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  Pretty Good - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mikeeha - December 5 - 6:00 pm

  I was comparing the Santa Fe and the Equinox. They are the largets SUVs at the price point. So far Ive owned it for over a month and have about 1200 miles driven. When I was test driving the vehicle I noticed how smooth the ride was. The newly paved roads probably had a lot to do with it. I now notice how poorly it handles bumps and pot holes. You really can feel everything. The handling is a bit clunky. The fuel economy is a lot less than I thought it would perform. The model I purchased was said to be 21/26. The city mileage is nowhere near the estimated. I live in the city of Chicago and get roughly 15mpg in city, while I do get around 23mpg highway.

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  Good for Tall Guy - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve - December 5 - 11:36 am

  Review for Sonata GLS with floor mats and Bluetooth options only. Im 66" and this is one of the only cars in this class that I can sit in and be able to fit my knee between the steering wheel and center console. Only other acceptable car was Nissan cube, but it didnt have armrests. Plenty of head room and my view outside front window is not blocked by roof. With driver seat back fully, still room for passenger legs in back. 4-cyl engine has adequate acceleration for commuter car. Auto Trans shifts smoothly. Has more road feel through steering wheel than my old Jeep Grand Cherokee, but not unacceptable.

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  2106 Elantra SE Great Choice - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By millet george - December 4 - 3:06 pm

  Was going to lease a Sonata but was more impressed with the 2016 Elantra SE. Seats were more comfortable, handling was better, overall like the Elantra better. Have driven for 1 month very happy with our choice, have gotten 38 MPG on the highway also good gas mileage in the city.

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  It is what it is. - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Denis - December 2 - 10:23 pm

  After 8 years the stick is still a fun drive. Typical of exposed braking systems is noise and caliper rattle at times. The headlamp filament is probably too wide for the vibration it receives and is prone to break about every 6 months-- I dont see this as an electrical problem with the headlamps. The brakes are very substantial for the cars weight and braking on slippery roads requires some concentration to maintain control. This was surely designed to be a fun, economical sports car. With TLC and a little help from the warranty, it is exactly that.

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  Value Edition is not a value - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Derek Linville - November 29 - 2:18 pm

  Pros: great gas mileage on one trip was averaging 50 miles to the gallon in Economy Mode. Comfort is really good, electronics is good and easy to use. Cons: Very poor acceleration nomatter the driving mode your in, braking is OK but can be better, 6 speed transmission shifts weird at times.

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  Please Consider This Vehicle! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By 1st Time Suv Owner - November 28 - 10:46 am

  My last 3-4 cars leased or bought, have been Dodge or Chrysler products. Since this is my 1st SUV, I dont have a comparison. But, after a LOT of consideration about what kind of car I would want to keep for 10 years or more, this vehicle fit my needs. With annual mileage being always less than 12,000 miles, the 10 yr/100,000 mile warranty was a great incentive. Saftey and standard features were also a great selling point. Most other vehicles in same class were not close.

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  WOW !!! A mini-Ferarri !!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By RacerX - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Who could possibly knock this weel engineered new Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 w/ Ultra Sports Pkg 3?? Maybe Toyota and Mitsu execs? This thing is great ... and priced where the others should be!!

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  A Great SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By billssuv - November 24 - 8:02 am

  I bought my 2005 Santa Fe with 23 miles on it. I have driven it down to Texas and Mississippi and had great gas mileage. I now have 86K miles on it and have only put new tires on it at 79K as well as new brakes for the first time. I also have done my normal maintenance on it including new timing belt. I have had ZERO issues with my SUV and plan on driving it hopefully another 100K before deciding on a new one. It is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned and driven.

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  I hope mine is Not a lemon! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Guy T. Neff - November 24 - 6:10 am

  I purchased the car on 4/2/06. I drove it to Florida on 4/7. Enroute,the "ESC OFF" and the ABS warning lights came on,and the brake lights stopped working. I took the car to a Hyundai dealership in Gainesville. They replaced the brake lamp switch,and reassured me that it was the cause of the trouble. While on the way back home, I dicovered that not only does the "ESC OFF" light still come on, but the brake lights stay on, the cruise control wont set, and the Check Engine light is on! The car is now at the dealership that sold it to me,awaiting proper repairs. I hope that they will be able to correct the problems,or I will seek relief under the NYS Lemon Law.

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  Drive before you buy! - 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By spark1952 - November 23 - 8:05 am

  This auto performs and handles excellant. The problem is the ride ( of course it is a sports car) and the road noise. I own a 1968 RS/SS Camero that rides better. I drove this vehicle 400 miles on interstate and wasnt impress with the quality of ride and road noise. I bought new drove 400 miles and 3 days. In contacting the dealer. He would take it back if I tok a $10,000.00 hit on it. Not a very good deal. Wouldnt recommend. Stick to American sports car.