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:

• 

  BETTER and BETTER EACH DAY - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By lindalee - January 2 - 10:18 am

  I research this site among others before buying and I definitely am happy after 3 months. So glad I finally decided to get rid of my volvo s80, which was always a headache. I get 28mpg on highways on my Azera, which surprised me. I love the sound system, xm radio, seats wipers and auto dimming on mirrors. I bought a garmin gps which tucks neatly into the open storage under the radio.

• 

  Fun vehicle to drive - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Sunshine state - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Priced out many other simular size SUV and for the price the Sante Fe ofter the most. We have not had the vehicle very long but are very happy we made the decision to go with the upgraded model. Enjoying it very much.

• 

  MJGIRL - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By MJGIRL7 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I am enjoing the Elantra totally. Engine is quiet, and powerful for a 4 cylinder. Gas mileage is great, and it handles great. ABS and traction control are not standard options and they should be.

• 

  No apologies: One nice car! - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Andy Whalen - January 1 - 6:50 pm

  This car is excellent. I hate to say "for the money" because that sounds like compromise Azera makes none. The design is tasteful, classy, elegant and understated, the interior is comfortable and fully appointed, and the driving dynamics are quick, smooth, nimble and competent. No torque oversteer. 5-speed transmission + VVT 263hp V6 turns the car into a ROCKET. Every safety feature in the books. We liked my wifes so much I bought myself one two months later. Feels as good behind the wheel as a GS, 5 or E, for 2/3 the price of an IS, 3 or C. Like I said: NO APOLOGIES! Hyundai has EARNED major respect from a car nut here, and Ill certainly be in line at the dealer when Genesis arrives!

• 

  BAD Choice - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By New Owner - January 1 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car, after reading all the good things about it online, Plus good features and support. But after owning it from last 3 months, i feel it was a bad, Bad, BAD decision and i should have gone for Camry. The Vehicle has very high inside noise (No aerodynamics at all), Cold start is really really BAD and noisy. At just 5000 miles, it has started to have some vibration noise, Passenger side air bag OFF sign remains off even when person of 100+ LB sits on it, suspension is not very helpful in rough roads, sometime you literally feel like pushing engine to the full capacity, Driving is no fun, AM radio is not very clear. Never gonna buy anything from Hyundai EVER.

• 

  tiburon se - too good to be true - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By eddolfan - December 31 - 3:53 pm

  i previously owned a 1973 saab sonnett III, which was a limited production sports car. the saab pales in comparison to the tiburon which is both sporty and practical at the same time. the handling is terrific and the comfort of riding in the vehicle is impressive. the most often heard comment i receive is: "is this really a hyundai?" based on the stigma still partially attached to hyundai automobiles, i view this as a huge compliment on my taste in cars.

• 

  Loud Ride - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By SM - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely disappointed with my purchase. I traded in a great Veracruz to get better gas mileage and have better interior features. The car inside is fine but the road noise on the highway is overwhelming. I drive 25 miles each way to work, all highway, and am so disappointed with the noise. I actually had the car checked for mechanical problems and found it was the tire noise. The tires they chose for the 18" wheels are so sub par and not inline with a Limited model. The gas mileage is also no where near 30.

• 

  What have I done? - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Richard - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I was absolutely smitten with this vehicle since the moment I saw it on the lot; it has loads of equipment, is quiet, comfortable, has plenty of power and gets truly excellent gas mileage. However, at 1K miles, the dash began rattling on the right side unmercifully, and then the right door began rattling in the frame. It sounds like something came loose inside the door. This morning, with less than 6K miles on the odometer, while cruising at 65 mph on the freeway, there was a huge BANG from under the hood and the car swerved violently and immediately lost forward speed. I just found out the transmission had "imploded."

• 

  Very pleased - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By cookiewm - December 31 - 9:16 am

  Only have had the van for 2 weeks but we are loving it. The room, the drive. So far so good.

• 

  Im Sold - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Bored with GM - December 31 - 7:06 am

  I have been an American sedan driver for 20 years. I decided a change was in order. I looked at BMW, Audi, Toyota, and Lexus. I saw an Azera on the road 2 months ago and slowed down to see what it was. I did my research, test drove it a couple of times and bought it last week. Id recommend it whole heartedly. I bought the Limited with the premium package (6 CD Infinity Speakers, Sunroof). I love the interior and its well put together. Handles great and fun to drive. The past 2 cars I have owned were both Cadillacs, and I am looking forward to driving this car for years to come.