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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  Better than I Could Have Imagined!!! - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Stan Morris - February 16 - 4:45 am

  Id like to make this review brief as possible, but I know thats not going to happen. I am so blown away by this vehicle that I tell everyone who comments on it that its now not just the best car Ive ever owned, its the only car to get in my mind(regarding the options/performance/warranty/reliability you get for the money). If you want to drop $70k on a vehicle with the same options and a little more pep, more power to you(literally). I own a Sonata Ltd with the Ultimate Package, and after driving in the high end Infinity/Audi/BMW, this vehicle is just as comparable in regards to the luxurious feel and amenities. From the Xenon headlights, LED running lights and LED interior lights(so crisp), to the LED taillights, to the sophisticated new styling, this car is the epitome of high class without the high class cost. The smart cruise, which is one of my favorite features, works beautifully and I use it frequently when on a long commute. Also, have you ever been trying to follow a friend or family member on the highway or interstate for a long commute and cant seem to get your cruise control set just right and either slowly gain or lose distance between them? Problem solved! With the smart cruise I just set my cruise speed for higher than I know the car in front of me will go, and simply stay behind them. If they slow, the car slows. If they speed up, the car speeds up. Even better, I can choose if I want to be a car length behind them or a few car lengths behind them. I have not tested it in city traffic, as I do not live in a big enough city, but I could see how it would come in handy(strike that, become a valued asset and seen as a necessity) when in slow moving or quick stop and go traffic. The Xenon headlights and LED taillights are truly remarkable in both functionality and in style. My wife told me she had to drive the vehicle so I could see the lights from the outside, and I was more than impressed. When seeing this vehicle traveling down the road at night you expect to see a familiar luxury emblem on the front, not the ever increasingly popular "H". I currently have my phone hooked up with the "Android Auto", and also have the BlueLink and Bluetooth set up on the car and all flawlessly perform as they should. I was impressed with all of those "little features" that the Android Auto provides and couldnt be happier with that addition. My only complaint, which cant be stuck on just the Sonata, is the visibility. My previous vehicle was a Navigator, and comparatively the visibility felt like it was cut in half. With that said, in all cars visibility has been cut down the same, so again this isnt just Hyundai. One positive note is that the blind spot works beautifully and it has saved me from cutting into a car on multiple occasions. On a side note, the blind spot has an ability to judge the speed of the car behind you, so if said vehicle is coming up really fast the blind spot will adjust to warn you earlier, as opposed to other blind spot systems that simply warn you once the vehicle trips the sensor. I suppose the only real downfall are the leather seats. They are premium leather, but not as soft as the napa leather that Ive enjoyed in the past. That being said, it seems like these seats are more durable and will hold up better. Additionally, the heated and cooled seats work beautifully, and Ive gotten multiple comments on the heated seats in the back. Alright, I could continue on and on about this car, but it feels like Im just going through the options package and commenting on how great it is, so you could just look at the package and know that all of it is exceptional. I purchased the extended warranty that covers bumper to bumper, excluding bumpers :-), for 10 years/100,000 miles, which I would suggest wholly to anyone considering this vehicle.

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  I LOVE my new Genesis Coupe! - 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By daunen - February 15 - 11:50 pm

  This car is beautiful. One guy even asked me if it was a Jag. I just laughed, because not only is my car as pretty as a Jag, it cost a whole lot less! I traded my Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT convertible, and while the Genesis isnt quite as comfortable or feels as substantial, it was an excellent choice. The 4-cylinder is surprisingly responsive and really quick if I floor it. That being said, its still a 4-cylinder and doesnt have that nice little rumble that a larger engine does. However, I am overwhelmingly happy with this car. Did I mention it is BEAUTIFUL?? ;-D

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  Great Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kathy - February 15 - 5:30 pm

  I purchased my car in May and so far have no complaints. I have been accustomed to driving higher end cars, but have to admit that for the money spent on the Sonata vs. more expensive makes/models, in my opinion the Sonata is the best bang for the buck! Good gas mileage, plenty of pep, great looks, lots of bells and whistles. Overall a fantastic car for the money.

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  Comfortable for the Long Haul - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Gerald Burda - February 15 - 4:46 pm

  I Purchased mine on 06/20/2009. I drive 90 miles a day round trip. I find the ride very comfortable and relaxing to drive. It performs just like or better than my XJS Jaguar ever did. The handling on the curves, is like riding on a rail. I find the acceleration is there everytime you hit the gas. No slow response from the engine, its up and running before you know it. I do recommend when you buy this car you better buy a radar detector, because you get lost with speed of the car and feel as if your not traveling at a high rate of speed, even though, you really are. Its a must buy if you like a fast running, head turning, hand waving, second look fun driving car. And yes its a HYUNDAI.

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  6300 miles - so far, so good - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By seedygal - February 13 - 8:34 pm

  This car purchase is the meeting point of lowest cost for the highest number of desired features, relatively good gas mileage for reasonable cabin/trunk space, and operational reliability. I plan to drive this vehicle for the next 10 years, so the Hyundai warranty was a very strong selling feature. Didnt pay the extra $800 for two features I wanted (AT and cruise) but I havent been sorry. The car drives well thru all conditions including snow/ice, tho an 8 hr road trip is about as much as I want in it. It does have the highway floaty feel to it. For mostly about town transportation, Im quite satisifed w/ it, tho I will be acquiring after market cruise control (for less than $800!).

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  New 2014 SE 2.0T 1k miles in - 2014 Hyundai Sonata
  By nirvana4all - February 13 - 8:12 pm

  I have had the car now for just under 1k miles. I do not see much difference with the steering wheel comfort/sport settings. At 62" it has plenty of room for me even with the sunroof. Back up camera is good, power is nice, averaging 26 MPG total. Was able to use Boostup website to get additional $500 off for a total cost for the 2014 Premium package SE 2.0T at $26885 before tax, fees, etc. Felt like amazing deal to me.

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  superb! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jesusa emma gison - February 13 - 2:23 pm

  the performance of Tucson is great and its interior are nice and comfortable. all in all its 2 thumb- ups!!

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  Hyundai Santa Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jgessert - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I have been nothing but pleased with my Hyundai Santa Fe. It has predictable handling with sufficiant horsepower to back it up. Interior seating is comfortable and cargo space is generous for the vehicles size. The list of standard features is impressive and make the Santa Fe a great value.

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  I love my hybrid! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By teke45 - February 12 - 12:48 pm

  Purchased Limited 2.4L 4-cyl. Hybrid 6 speed automatic. The car is not slow or noticebly shifty when merging into traffic. The ride is smooth and braking is precise. If you drive like a teenager then this car may not be for you. I travel approx. 90m a day, mostly highway miles. Avg. miles 44.5 per gallon. I am saving serious money on gas! The seats are comfortable and the cabin (two tone camel/black) is roomy. The dashboard is pleasant to look at and the navigation system is easy to manage. I am so happy I did not dismiss this car based on the expert reviews. Find out for yourself and test drive this car, you wont be disappointed.

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  Nice - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By JOe - February 12 - 2:28 am

  ....didnt realize all the warranties and abilities this car has. At this point im satisfied, just purchased it today. Only 9 miles on it!