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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  Navigatio n System is Worthless - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By David - October 26 - 9:02 am

  I love just about everything about this car. Its too bad that Honda decided to sell me a $2,500 in dash GPS system that is totally useless. The voice recognition is impossible to use, the maps are inaccurate from day one, & a map update cost hundreds of dollars. The very last thing that I want to do after spending $22,000 on a car is get home and find out I need to spend another $250 for accurate maps. Its a deal breaker for me and will steer me away from the Hyundai dealership the next time Im looking for a car. I feel like they have taking me for a ride, and not the kind I was hoping for when I purchase my Elantra.

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  2016 sport/limited - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By sngldad1@bellsouth.net - October 25 - 3:01 pm

  Great overall value. Comfort level is good with seats, multi position electric drivers seat is roomy and comfortable, however, my knee seems to be pinned against the shift console so I have to move the seat back further than Im comfortable with. Same with my previous sonata(2011).. Technology features with android auto are great. Didnt come with garage opener remote. that option was 10 times the cost of ordering another remote and clipping it to the visor...So far with econo function engaged Im averaging 35 mpg.

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  Allot for little - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Fast - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a 96 Celica for 6 years. Great car. The Tiburon is better. A very powerful car with eye catching body lines. This car says fast from the Euro style headlamps to the muscle car looking dual exhaust. It must say it because Im constantly being challenged by people in the typical tricked out Japanese models. Theyre learning quickly that the V6 Tiburon isnt their Moms coupe. Ive been looking for a new car for over a year and was VERY disappointed with Toyotas choice in redesigning the Celica. Im very happy Hyundai put this great car together.

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  real diamond at a cubic zirconium price - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Rick W. - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car for 6 mos./7500 miles. The driving behavior of this vehicle (engine/transmission, acceleration/speed, cornering, stopping, etc.) is smooth and first rate. The interior is thoughtfully designed and well appointed. Space/comfort for front/back is suprisingly very good for a subcompact. Final word: I am a concientious consumer. And I consider this car the very best bang for the buck.

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  VALUE - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Avshcky - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is build with such quality it really is too good to be true.

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  Well done! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TheEngineer - October 24 - 7:23 pm

  My review is based on my past experience with cars. I currently drive a Lexus LX470, Accord, Lexus LS, and a Audi 90 Q (the audi I actually gave up a long time ago and it sits in my garage). As for qulaity, from the short time I had it is SUPERB ! I thought only the Japanese could deliver this level of quality. My first Korean import and I am happy though I do worry about the significant portion from Canada (bad experiences in the past with Canadian parts). The fit and finish is right up there with the rest of my cars. I would not mind paying for extra safety features such as side impact air bags and a safety cage. A XM radio with USB MP3 feature would be great. Less Curves.

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  Love the car - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata driver in NC - October 24 - 4:52 pm

  When I buy a car, I keep it on average about 9 years, about twice as long as the length of the loan. I will keep this car for at least that long. I like that its body style -sort of Mercedes/Jaguar looking. Glad I got one of the last new 2005s with that body style. The only complaint I have is the paint on the door handles (inside and out) is starting to flake off, especially on the much used drivers door. A small fix, Im sure. I have only had 4 cars in my life (the first 3 were Datsun B210, Mercury Sable, Chevy Lumina -- I kept them for a long time, too). This is by far the all-around best one Ive owned.

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  Great car for little money - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Matt - October 24 - 2:25 pm

  Ive owned this 08 Elantra SE for just a couple of days and have been loving it so far. This is not my first Hyundai, more like my 4th and they have all been excellent cars. The 2008 is no exception, great price, so many standard features, good performance, quiet ride and good handling.

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  Good Car - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By PAULO - October 23 - 11:04 pm

  After a lot of research I found that the Accent was by far the best vehicle for the money. I got the SE with all the options including sunroof/body kit/Auto for $14700 including tax and fees. Just like the one you see in the marketing posters. If it wasnt for my wife I would have preferred a 5M and saved some more. I wanted a economy car with great looks and some options and the accent covered it. I avg 30mpg with DC traffic. Low 27 high 35.

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  Couldnt say enough good things. - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By ptshredder - October 23 - 9:35 pm

  I did the research online and with Consumer Reports. Came down the Azera or the Toyota Avalon. Drove the Avalon, nice ride but handling was way to mushy. The Azera was much tighter, lots of power. Car has every option except bluetooth. Incredible trunk space. Drove it from Colorado to my folks in Nebraska with my Wife, Daughter, SIL and Grandson. Babying it on the interstate I got 31mpg, coming home with that load and 100lbs of apples at 75mph constant I got 27mpg. I would have like more mpg, but the available power is incredible. Havent driven anything this much fun since my 71 Firebird. The heating/AC is great, dash and instrument layout is great. 10Y/100K warranty, closed the deal.