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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  Good So Far - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By jayachra - August 16 - 12:26 pm

  Nice vehicle for a family of 5 and no troubles so far. Lots of Space. Own a GLS model which has many features available as Standard which are either Optional or available only on higher models with other Manufacturers Vans. Bought the vehicle for the just over 20 grand price & due to its higher safety ratings. We have made at least 5 long distance drives and surprisingly the mileage was 27 mpg on the Highway. City driving is around 17 mpg. We have traveled 16000 miles in the last 1 year and the van has served the purpose well. Struggles a bit going uphill. So far good experience with Dealership.

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  My wife gets jelous of my g/f - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tiburoncin - August 16 - 11:43 am

  By girlfriend of course I mean my tib. There is absolutely nothing I have been displeased about since I bought it. I love to drive it; and I still smile like a 16 year old who just got their first car, every time I get behind the wheel. The interior fit and finish is immaculate for such a bargain car. Besides being slightly under powered for a 2.7 liter V6, I have no complaints.

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  "comfort mobile" happy family hauler - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By JE - August 16 - 8:59 am

  Its a minivan. Its bigger than a car and very heavy, like other minivans. For us its an appliance like a refrigerator or washing machine. Yes, the doors will close on little fingers- dont let your kids put their hands in closing doors. Let them fear any doors closing. It will squeak. Push on panels to reseat fasteners. They will be quiet. Two minor issues repaired under warranty: Cold weather caused spring loaded parking brake release to stick, replacement of cables and pedal assembly resolved issue. Idler pulley bearing failure, replacement solved issue. Van will average 29 MPG on flat ground at 60 MPH with NO stop and go. Daily drives around town average 17 MPG.

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  ok car - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By faraway - August 15 - 1:33 pm

  We got this car and its very Nice looking. The inside is very Nice. The only thing is the trany needs to be replaced. We are not happy. We talked to some one who has 2001 Hyundai sonata they told us that they had to replace the trany at 12,000 miles and now 68,000 miles later again same problem. Also the airbag light comes on and that will cost about $1000 to fix. If you need the spark plugs replaced it will be about $400 to do it because they have to take part of the motor apart. The tires are different on this car so they are about $160 a each. We have the v6 2.7litter and the oil filter for that style motor doesnt fit you have to get the 4 cylinder. Good looking car.

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  Third Hyundai Owned Review - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jack - August 15 - 12:26 pm

  I purchased mt car on 31 Dec 2008 and it now has 7,200 miles on it. I have owned 3 Hyundais and have NEVER had one in the shop! My last was an 07 SE. This time I decided not to buy another chaepo model. I have installed a rear spoiler color matched and a K&N air filter since purchasing. When I drive the new 4 cylinder car, it was hard to believe it was a 4. The old 4 cylinder was a pure dog!

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  _ - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By RandyT - August 15 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Sonata (lost a 2000 base to an accident) and I love it. Since 2000 they have made a number of small but appreciated changes including split folding seats, more space efficient trunk hinges, and a power outlet in the trunk. I’m still in the break in period, but even without revving the engine the car has plenty of power. I would recommend it to my friends.

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  The van died - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dead Van Man - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Bought a used GM van 2 months ago. It died. I needed a car, so I bought an Elantra GLS (Dealer clearing them out with auto-trans at $11,950 for 2003s!). I recommended my girlfriend buy one last year after a lot of research told me it was the best car for the money and besides, the warranty cant be beat. I agree with Edmunds on this one - a great car. If youre shopping for an economy sedan, do yourself a favor and get an Elantra. You get much more that youd expect for the price. Now we both have one and both are superb. Beats the "gold standard" Civic hands down in my book.

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  bang for buck - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By rick - August 14 - 7:46 pm

  Bought the 06 lx new off the floor in Aug 05 after owning an 02 sonata. Much improved power, handling, style. Gas mileage was not improved - due to improved power. My wifes car is a MB E320 and yes, a far better ride, but, considering you could buy 2 1/2 sonatas for the same price . Its not sexy, but the safety features, warranty, and thus far reliability (40K) cant be beat. Im impressed with Hyundai - put a different badge on this car and the price would jump $15K.

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  Lug at low speed - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Joe - August 14 - 6:05 pm

  While I do enjoy the fuel efficiency and it is comfortable for 6 ft tall man to drive for extended periods, I found that right after you have to decelerate for traffic and then try to pick up the pace, the transfer lugs sometimes. Go with a manual for stop and go traffic.

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  My New Vehicle - 2012 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kimkim4 - August 13 - 7:51 pm

  The Tucson is a very stylish midsize crossover. I love the look of this vehicle, it’s still hard for me to believe it’s a Hyundai. The only downfall so far in the seating....the seat needs to be a little wider so the seatbelt wont dig into your hips.