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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  Nice Car, but Bad in the Snow - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By mccarthr - January 22 - 3:32 pm

  I love this car, but Hyundai seems to have chosen wheels and tires that were not designed for winter driving. I bought the car in Green Bay late in May 2013. I live in Michigans Upper Peninsula. When I first started driving in the snow, I couldnt believe how poor the tire traction was. I was so bad that I didnt feel safe. After buying new all season tires (rated good on snow & ice) for the fronts, I could tell a big difference. The back original tires still would slide out on turns so I bought the rears too. Also, the wheels are beautiful, but they suck up snow like a magnet on the inside. It quickly will throw off the wheel balance. I constantly having to clean out the snow.

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  Amazing Coupe - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By flashgordondayton - January 22 - 10:46 am

  I bought my coupe Saturday June 13, 2009 and it is amazing. The ride, power and comfort level are great. I get looks from people driving corvettes, porsche and Nissan Zs. It is a great value at a low price. Its 306 hoirse power is refined and the ride is smooth. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  Awesome car!! - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Banana - January 22 - 8:40 am

  I love this car! I bought my Tiburon new in 2005 and have never had a problem with it. It is Super fun to drive and speeds up really nice. Very smooth acceleration and great gas mileage. Interior design is incredible as well as exterior. This car comes equipped with tons of features and is definately worth the money. Trunk space is enormous for such a small car. My massage table fits in there perfectly. Only problem is if you have someone who is 6 in your back seat. haha.. not too comfortable. But otherwise the car is very comfortable and a great ride!

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  The best luxury car for the money - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By Eli - January 21 - 8:01 pm

  As the Hyundai Equus is getting to its end of life (Being replaced in 2017 model year by the new Genesis brand and a new body style and AWD option and will be called G90), the Equus ultimate can be had at a steep discount and excellent financing. We grabbed this opportunity with both hands, and are we glad we did. The comfort, road handling and performance as well as “all gadgets known to man” stand up to the luxury car brands out there. The road handling combined with the amenities are simply exceptional. At the price point of the car, it is unheard of. The engine has all the power one can ask for, the transmission is very smooth shifting, and the air suspension is simply the best. The sitting position in every seat (both front and rear) can be adjusted to the comfort of every person. The driving position and controls are out of this world. I would not even attempt to describe at the electronics and luxury amenities. I will not do them justice. Outside of every possible gadget known to mankind, one can use the remote app on their smartphone to start the car as well as may other functions. I am glad I got the Equus, because I can only imagine the cost of the 2017 Genesis G90 replacement. If you do not care about the emblem, I highly recommend this car. Even if you have already written a check from $85K to $110K and haven’t yet handed it to the dealer of one of those luxury brands, you owe it to yourself to take the Equus for a test drive. My bet is that you will not be sorry you did.

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  Style, Comfort, And Afordability - 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tim bana - January 21 - 11:40 am

  Purchased new 2016 Santa Fe SE AWD 8/31/15. Added on the Premium Package which offers numerous features. Ride is very comfortable with 19" tires and very positive steering. This is my first SUV, but searched the market place comparing it to other SUVs with options, price, dependability, and warranty. The Santa Fe had them beat. The 3rd seat is really for the grand kids. The V-6 has plenty of power for expressway entry and for passing. I have heated seats and wanted air cooled seats, but Hyundai has them with an additional package including a Panoramic Roof which I didnt want or need. I wish they bundle the heated/ cooled together. I took a road trip and put on 5,000 miles (averaging 26mph could be better) with no problem. During the trip stopped in El Paso Texas for an oil change. The dealer treated me very well like I was a local resident. They knew I was from another state, but that didnt matter. Hyundai has a good thing going for themselves. Time will tell how well they back their warranties.

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  Limited Edition V6 - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sean - January 20 - 3:00 pm

  Its no-more "good for the money Hyundai" I would get this car even without the rebate. The build quality and the design is amazing. It has fast, yet smooth acceleration, unlike other competitors. Very comfortable interior, largest among other similar cars tested. Im very happy that I made the choice to buy this car.

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  Great car.Look out here comes Hyundai!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mahlon Willams - January 19 - 4:43 am

  Great power train packages.The 3.3 is better than Kias 2.7 V6 and delivers a good punch being sister cars in body style. Fuel milage is better than fair even with the heavy foot.They do share the 2.4 4 cyl engine.Hyundai offers alot of standard features other cars call options.For ex. fog lights,electronc stability control for few.In a nut shell Hyundai is getting better fast.Dont fall asleep other asian auto makers Hyundai is paying attention to consumers demands and has come along way.Whos laughing now.

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  06 accent, getting much better - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Daniel Rosen - January 19 - 3:39 am

  I traded my 01 accent in and planned on getting a tiberon with the v6. I ended up going with the accent again. I had 93000 on the 01 and it is great on gas. The build quality of the 06 is much better then the 01, which is great to begin with. The main thing and the only thing I do not like with the 06 is the rear suspension, which I can live with. Hyundai has done it again with the 06 accent and is getting better fast year after year, Toyota, honda, watch your back. This korean manufacturer knows how to build them. (I was also looking at the Kia spectra 5, but the 2.0 is not worth the extra cost, same company anyways.)

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  I Call It My PseudoSaab - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bushwatz - January 18 - 10:00 am

  First the cons... the trunk cover panel rattles slightly at low speeds and my AC fan developed a rattle after 10 months. Now the pros... Of 5 new cars Ive owned, only my Honda Accord gave me less complaints in the first year. Its a true pleasure to drive. Great, responsive handling, generous driver and passenger room, solid passing power, and that gorgeous styling. Im just sad to say that in 6k of driving, Ive seen another one on the road once.

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  I love my car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By meffagogo - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Its so good, comfy and an awsome sound system, throaty valve system on the exhaust an responds well to tuning.