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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  Best Mid-size family sedan - period. - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Happyguy - May 4 - 5:46 pm

  My wife and I have now put a little over 2000 miles on our 2006 Sonata V6 GLS and are extremely pleased. No problems whatsoever. Very comfortable in city driving and on the highway. Many passengers and guest drivers have commented on the quietness of the ride and stealthy performance. "Were there already? It didnt seem we were going that fast". Comparably equipped V6 Camrys and Accords go for $7K more, did not drive as well and came with a substantially inferior warranty. Weve been getting between 21 - 22 mpg in the city and average 29 - 30 on the hwys through the mountains going 80 mph, with 4 passengers and the AC on. Have yet to approach the limits of the motor.

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  Never before, have I had such an incredible car. - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By Azera16 - May 4 - 2:09 pm

  Geez, where to begin on this car? Everything I have ever wanted in a car. The Limited model is truly a luxury car. I mean the outside is just plain oozing with style. It is gorgeous and makes a statement, and definitely makes an impression on the road and in parking lots.....it is just such a "sleek" design. The interior - reminds me of high-end BMWs and other cars with the ambient lighting across the doors and the dashboard (I didnt know it had the interior ambient lighting until later that night after I drove it off the lot.......I already was impressed with the car then I saw that added little thing - it just further blew me away. I swear - I am finding new things on this car every day - until recently I didnt realize the car has a ventilated glove box!! I was like what?? The car drives and handles like a dream - the technology is outstanding, the way the interior is made is so sleek and gorgeous - again "oozes" with style. Honestly - I have had my share of "lemons" and other cars in the past....I have owned sedans, SUVs, and trucks, and the Hyundai Azera stands out by far from all the rest. I mean it when I say it has EVERYTHING. I love the detectors (blind spot, collision, rear cross-traffic alert, a huge screen for the backup camera) - I love how the car is just "smart" and is truly, such a pleasure to drive. Why Hyundai doesnt advertise this dream car is beyond my understanding - I live in a big city and I think I have seen maybe 2 or 3 other Azeras on the road in the last 10 months I have owned the car. If you are considering this automobile - DO IT. Just do it - you will NOT be disappointed. Way nicer and full of amenities than a base model Genesis, and way more value and is just better in my opinion than competitors like the Nissan Maxima or the Toyota Avalon. Did I mention the huge panoramic glass roof? It is a dream on wheels - I will not be trading in anytime soon - again - the Azera is everything I have ever wanted in a car, have gotten NUMEROUS compliments from people on it, it will NOT disappoint.

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  Excellent Value!!! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By RMJ - May 4 - 2:00 am

  After actually looking at and driving the Elantra compared to the other obvious choices in this auto segment, my wife and I were blown away by the quality of workmanship, the smooth and quiet drive and the overall value for the dollar! I noticed that the 2004 model has a revised interior, making it equal to or better than the competition. We are so very impressed!

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  My purple Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Karen Milton - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Easy to drive and fun. A lot of interior space for the 5 of us. Easy on gas, low maintenance. Secure feeling in winter weather. Roomy trunk. Rear cup holders an added bonus.

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  GOOD EXPERIENCE - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mike B - May 4 - 2:00 am

  The dealership was very fair. I was able to get TMV price on the auto without a problem and zero% for five years sold me. The auto has smooth and powerful pick up. Soft ride with good handeling. The inside is cockpit like but comfortable. Got to love all the standard features. The leather with heated seats and mirrors a must.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By damaestro119 - May 3 - 2:04 pm

  I needed a new car that I think would last a long time. Went to a few dealers and could not find a good deal until I stopped at a Hyundai dealer, and I test drove this car. I am 64" tall, and in my experience, it was always hard to find comfort in a car, until now. I have tons of head and leg room, with much room to spare. The performance of this car has been exceptional for the 2 years I have had it. It takes off fast when I need it too, I can pass on the highways easily, and with the ESC, it handles great in the snow (I live in Michigan). It was a great purchase and has never let me down as of yet, and it saved myself quite a few dollars over other cars with the same options!

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  Good car bad dealers - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By bikermark - May 3 - 11:16 am

  The Sonata runs god and has nice power. the seats could have better thigh suport. The build quility could be better. But the worst thing is the dealer attitude. My rear brakes howl when i turn left, and the dealer refuses to do anything because this only happens to the 4 cyl. cars. the paint is peeling off on the bumper. the seat rattles and the dealer says they cant do anything because thats how they build these things. So i went to the other dealer in town who also sells buick and doesnt have any time or desire to help a hyundai owner. So Im going back to Toyota where Ive always got very good cars and very good service. Hyundai a good car but not there yet.

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  Love It!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By LivLarge - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Dropped it with some Eibach Springs and threw on some 18" wheels and my neihbor with a Lexus IS300 is jealous becuase the kids in the neighborhood think mine looks better. I get heads to turn all over town and people in parking lots are always asking me if it really is a Hyundai. Couldnt be happier.

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  I love my Elantra GT - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Eddie/Nilda Vazquez - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my red Elantra GT for almost a year now. I went from an Accent to an Elantra GT and its amazing how different the vehicles are. Obviously the prices alone are going to make a difference, but for the price, I could not be happier with my car. Not only do I love how it looks externally and internally, it has pretty good pick up. Im a twenty year old college student and its perfect if you want a mature, good looking car.

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  Terrible Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By E.Martinez - May 3 - 9:41 am

  I bought this car with 50k miles in 2005. Its been a problem after another. I had to replace the engine at 80k miles and now at 98k it has the transmission issues. The Motor Mounts were also replaced. Yes, its a cheap car. However, the maintenance becomes very expensive. I change the oil every 3k and do excellent maint. on it. Nevertheless, its still a problem. Would never buy a Hyundai and/or Kia in my life again. Pay a little more upfront and save a lot later when purchasing a Toyota, Honda or Nissan. Most of Kia and Hyundai engines are joint venture with Mitsubishi and they are not very reliable engines.