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 Car for the Money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By John Lee - January 17 - 5:13 pm

  I own an Infiniti FX, BMW 530, MB E320 and the Azera is quickly becoming my favorite car to drive. The interior, fit/finish, build quality, ride quality is on par with the other luxury makes I own. In fact, the Azera is faster and has a more quieter, potent V6 than the MB and BMW. The interior cabin is absolutely quiet at high speeds. I installed after market Xenons and an Eclipse Dual Din Navi, which completes this vehicle. A poster here claimed that the Azera had below average crash test numbers. That is false! Look it up yourself on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (safercar.gov) and the Azeras only been tested for the frontal test getting 4 stars.

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  Perfect if ride is fixed - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Carolina Bob - January 17 - 1:38 pm

  Updated review of Limited with Ultimate package. At over 7,000 miles and 10 months, everything works perfectly. Still has the best interior layout of any car I have looked at and exterior is very impressive. The ride is good, except over road bumps and imperfections. Even with new shocks, I still feel bumps in the car seat when I hit them. Tested 2008 Lexus LS 460 and Infiniti M35 last week and still prefer my Azera. LS rode much better and M35 was somewhat better. Fun to drive would be a 10 if ride was better. Get anywhere from 28 to 32 MPG on the interstate at speed limit plus 5 MPH. Hyundai dealership in Anderson SC has been outstanding and very cooperative.

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  2016 Genesis - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By John edwards - January 17 - 9:28 am

  Nice car, feel I may have overpaid for a "Hyundai". Lots of bells and whistles. Nondescript design as I have lost it in a parking lot and confused it for Chyrsler 200.

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  many plusses one negative - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pghbob - January 16 - 6:53 pm

  this is my fourth hyundai--sonata, azera, tucson and now the santa fe. Lots of bang for the buck. Safe feeling with loads of comfort. Leather seats--heated--wife loves them.

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  Push Button Start Not Working - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By nothappy2013 - January 16 - 8:03 am

  Purchased the 2013 Elantra GT 8/31/13, no start issues until 11/15/13. Very nice vehicle except it will not start daily without pressing the brake and start button multiple times. Stranded once and called Roadside Assistance. They tightened the positive battery terminal. Also stopped at the dealership later the same day and the negative terminal was tightened. Last problem required 19 attempts to start the vehicle, number 20 was the lucky number. A very frustrating problem, dealership tests showed no problems found, certainly something is going on. Second trip to the dealership Tues. 12/10.

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  Great Car - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By pt - January 16 - 4:15 am

  Bought this car at auction and got at GREAT DEAL on the BASE model, (didnt give the option to change) going on 2 years and still love it. Giving bullet points" Great acceleration...I like to drive fast, hugs the curves nicely. Great breaking (I drive 35 miles each way to work on a major highway in rush hour traffic) Good gas mileage (depending on driving conditions...but I drove a 99 Suburban @13 mpg) average about 24 mpg hwy. (17 gallon tank) Stereo is fine...not as good as my 05 Altima or 2000 Infiniti but it does the job. Heated front seats (comfortable) and outside mirrors...awesome. Back seats...not sure..but heard nice ride...heat/ac vents for passengers. Back seats do not fold down...but there is a small pass thru behind the middle arm rest..not sure why people get so upset about this...its not a truck to haul things. The trunk is smaller than what I am used to (Chrysler 300/Chevy Suburban) but downsizing means just that. Groceries still fit. Console is smaller than what I am used to...but there are 3 usb ports and another (not sure the name but like a cigarette lighter)...oh and there is an ashtray and lighter. Not sure about the phone sync option...I dont use my cell when driving..but it is available...mic is right above my head. No problems with paint, gets washed every week. Oil changes run about $50 every 5000 miles......book says 7500. Uses Regular unleaded gas... My only complaints.... The front floor vents Not the best in snowy conditions....

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  Very Good Car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By LionJuly - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This is just the most enjoyable car! Though, I believe its under powered for its weight. But, aftermarket mods can take the Tib to a whole new level. Ive had no problems with mine. Its just a dream to drive. The sound system is great, the leather is comfortable and that huge sunroof doesnt get any better in the afternoon driving the back roads.

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  Hyundai XG 350L - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Joe Trangata - January 16 - 2:00 am

  We liked the XG 350L that we purchased two of them. The gas pedal is very sensitive however when you get accustomed it is fine. The auto is one of the best values on the US market. We have owned previously German vehicles as well the Cadillac seville the XG350L ride is just as comfortable.

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  New owner - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Nadine59 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have always drove a larger american model of 4wd suvs. I fell in love with the Santa Fe and felt real comfortable in buying the Santa Fe as my husband and I spoke to strangers that owned the Santa Fe and have found that no one had anything bad to say about the vehicle. We were sold!

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  Great while it lasted...... - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By JMZ HET - January 15 - 11:36 am

  My car was flawless for the first 21,000 miles (2 years). The problem was initially diagnosed as "collapsed engine lifters" but after this repair failed to correct the issue a new engine "short block" was installed. After another 1,750 miles the "new" engine short block proved to be "defective". During the 5 weeks the dealership had the car to install the 2nd short block we gave up and bought a Nissan. Very disappointing.