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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  Big Buck Bang - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tbow - July 27 - 10:00 am

  You want more bang for your buck?? Then youd better get a Santa Fe. Im a tall man and need a little more leg room at the drivers seat. Other than that I love my car.Very very reliable. Not one problem after 14 months of driving.

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  No more GM cars - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Patrick - July 27 - 6:53 am

  After owning five new american cars and having nothing but problems, I decided to buy a foreign car. Many months of review and test drives kept bringing me back to Hyundai.I am so glad that the reputation Hyundai has put behind them as a cheap unreliable car.Only owning the Tucson for a short time ,I am sure with the quality and craftsmanship that went onto building it, I will be happy for years to come.Take note,another company to overtake American cars...Hyundai

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  incredible for the price - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By raybeem01 - July 26 - 7:47 pm

  Extremely well made for the price, runs flawlessly, with effective manuevering excelleration is ausumn when needed. Highway long distance driving, absolutely perfect. Negatives, some of the paneling in the trunk flimsy and easy to knock out of position. Should have cd player instead of tape in the radio system

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  Solid Value - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rebel Engineer - July 26 - 4:46 am

  I was shopping for a replacement for a 98 Accord EX V6 and read Edmunds review of the Sonata shootout with the Accord and Camry, so decided to check this out. I had been aware of Hyundais dismal reviews for earlier models and was very surprised after a drive in the Sonata. The handling of the car is composed and feels secure for family driving (I drive an 03 Infiniti G35 coupe, so I cant call it sporty), power is more than adequate (better than the Honda), and quietness of ride at 75 mph is better than the mentioned Accord or Infiniti. Fit and finish easily match the Accord. MPG thus far (with 3,000 miles): 20 city, 27 highway. Thus far Im very impressed with the Sonata SE.

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  Whoa - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By In love - July 25 - 10:00 am

  Its never thought Id experience love again, after driving a Camry for 2 years, but this Sonata SE is beyond my expectations. Better city gas mileage then the Camry, better looks, and just the over all feel of the drive. If feel comfortable that I can throw this car into a turn if I have to and not worry about losing control. Word of advice, drive the GLS and the SE, they drive way differently.

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  Glad I upgraded! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By KDubb43 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 2010 Sonata for a 2011 GLS in Pacific Blue Pearl. From the first time I saw the 2011, I was hooked. I love the styling, ECO feature, and power lumbar. It also looks great in my driveway. What a difference! I would recommend this car to anyone, and I also had a pleasant dealer experience as well.

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  New Azera is quite a find - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By PF - July 24 - 7:30 pm

  I found the Azera early in the year when it was first released through reviewed automobiles on the web comparing cars at the Lexus-Avalon level of quality, performance and comfort. The automobile site reviews were so positive and both the look and technical info for the car on Hyundais web site so imnpressive that I went to a dealer to see it in person. It had just arrived at dealerships and I wouldnt have known about the Azera if I hadnt stumbled on to it during my web research. Its a great entry in to this class of automobile by Hyudai with a strong engine and comfortable ride. Its fun to drive and it looks great. Its a great car for the money.

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  Nice, Fun SVU - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Brad - July 24 - 7:23 pm

  I have been driving this SUV for our two months and love the way it drives. It is so much smoother that the Explorer I owned prior to this vehicle. It handles better than any SUV I have driven and can turn on a dime. The interior is very comfortable and my two young daughters love riding in the third row seats. Overall we are extremely happy with this purchase.

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  Great decision to get my Sonata!!! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By agamez84 - July 24 - 3:55 am

  I love my car! I wanted to wait to write a review now It recently passed the 100k mile mark, I bought it brand new on 6/11/2010 and it was one of the first on the road. I received lots of compliments and still do. I have many people tell me how well it rides, comfortable and roomy it is. I commute about 60 mile round trip for work and I average 30 mpg. The car still sounds and runs like new. All around everything has worn well, the steering wheel is starting to show cracks but 100k miles worth of driving and the Texas sun/heat I dont blame it. Only issues Ive had is replacing an alternator bracket and a inner fender well. Thats it! Well besides basic maintenance. Absolutely great car!

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  Great first sports car! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tattoodude426 - July 22 - 9:50 pm

  As searching throughout the market for a decent sports car to start off with in my area, I had found an eye-catching 2006 hyundai Tiburon GT v6. The car had so many great features that I had been looking for but what had sold me was the style of the interior, the sleek body style and the low mileage it had on it. Ive owned one of these cars for about two weeks so far and Ive found that it is quite fun to drive and even got a few compliments already on the car. Id definitely recommend this car to anyone who wants a nice reliable sports car.