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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  Turn heads AND save cash - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jon Harlock - July 21 - 10:00 am

  1. IMAGE Easily the most appealing factor. The Tiburon looks like a very expensive and cultured vehicle (resembling not only the Ferrari 456GT but also the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish). 2. PERFORMANCE Normal commuter driving maintains the speed limit at less than 2500 rpm (and the engine is VERY quiet), managing roughly 100 miles per quarter-tank. One step removed from clutchless shifting, the Shiftronic™ automatic transmission is fun to play with. 3. MISCELLANEOUS Good audio system. Sharp braking, and the front-wheel drive handles hydroplaning nicely. Lots of nifty features come standard. 4. CONCLUSION This car is FUN FUN FUN.

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  Too Much Fun! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By F&F - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Sexy, sleek, powerful, and did I say sexy? If you pull up next to me, expect some fierce competition. This car is made for people who love to drive. I do not recommend getting any other model besides the GT V-6 with 6-spd transmission and the "Ultra Sports Package 3." Too much fun!!!!

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  Still love my Santa Fe! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mary - July 21 - 12:56 am

  I read these reviews when I considered buying a new Santa Fe in 07, so I am writing one to any prospective buyer. I have owned my Santa Fe for over 2 years and I still love it as much as the day that I bought it! In fact, it still drives and rides just like new. Cabin is quiet and comfortable and the paint has an unbelievable shine. I keep vehicles that I love and intend to drive my Santa Fe for many years to come. Thank you Hyundai for making a fantastic automobile.

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  Good MPG? Top MPG! - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By litesong - July 20 - 9:42 pm

  My wife bought her base 2008 Accent for her tough commute. Thru the long winter she managed 30 to 32 MPG, rising to 33MPG into the warmer spring. The clutch & 5-speed short shifter is the 2nd best combo Ive ever driven. It shifts & engages smoothly with little engine drag. As a feather footer I was hoping my wife could get better MPG, but the low gearing hurts just like the Yaris & Honda Fit. I finally got to drive Accent on 3 trips over 1400, 3000, 4000, & 5500 foot mountain passes, to 101 degree E. Washington & to Mt. Rainier. Accent turned in spectacular 41.5, 42.6 & 45.1MPG! If Accent had higher gearing I would get 50MPG on a flat highway.

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  Hyundai proven to have been a good buy - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Happy Owner - July 20 - 7:40 pm

  The Elantra Gt gave me what I wanted. Looks, utility ( thats why I chose the GT hatchback) dependability and price. In 76000+ miles the only things that have gone wrong are 3 low beam headlights bulbs, 1 battery, the thermostat and just recently the A/C compressor. The brake pads show little wear at this time. I was rear-ended by an 18 wheeler and took such a hit that the motor mounts broke. After the repair you would never know that the car was ever hit. Still rides and handles great. Excellent brakes headlights are strong. All in all it has been a very good car in every respect. I will probably replace it with another Hyundai one day, if it ever wears out.

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  surprised - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By eric heikila - July 20 - 4:13 pm

  i down sized from a full size pick up truck for fuel economy. It has a smooth ride ,good visibility a bit under powered but i really like the shift tronic transmision. if you need to pass down shift and punch it,or for steep hills it can slow you down without using the brakes. so far its fun to drive and feels good.i get a lot looks and questions about it ,i have the black on black with rear tint

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  funtastic - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By J A - July 20 - 2:56 pm

  Its been only a couple of weeks since I purchased this model - but i already love it.

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  Update - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Steve P. - July 20 - 11:26 am

  Just a quick update since my post of 06-01-2008. I am still happy with my decision. I have since had the chance to take the car on a thousand mile trip. The car rode very well and my MPG was 26 @ about 80 to 85 miles per hour. So thus far the car has worked as advertised, I am very pleased.

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  14 Ltd 2.0T with Tech Pkg - 2014 Hyundai Sonata
  By mrbeefy65 - July 20 - 9:53 am

  Other than the very annoying legal disclaimer that comes on every time you start the car, no matter what mode, the Nav is improved over 2013. Sound deadening is improved, but the tires are still too hard and noisy with the 2.0T (most people ditch them as soon as possible). Kind of odd that the Kia Optima has more features similarly equipped...

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  You get what you pay for - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve - July 19 - 11:12 pm

  My wife and I have been driving her Honda Accord since 1998, so when I bought my Sonata in March 08 used w/ 18k miles for just over $15k, I was holding my breath a little that I wasnt getting sucked in" to the hype. Four months and 4000 miles later, welllll???? Maybe a tad. This car has amazing power, great interior and exterior looks. Build quality doesnt come close to Honda, though. I guess its true. You get what you pay for. The paint job is maybe the worst Ive seen on any car..theres a big money saving area for Hyundai. Also, sheet metal is thin. I even have a little metal bubble on the drivers floorboard that "pops" when I push off to get out of the car. 20mpg city/30 pure hwy.