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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  worst realibility & bad dealer service - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By falkie - July 28 - 1:46 pm

  This car was driven only 70K miles. Dim light burnt out, both at the same time. Passenger power windows stop working. Having contious problem with transmission at 70K. Warranty, which is a complete deception as if you are the second owner instead of 100K/10 YR you only get 60k/5YR. The service/dealership are rude and abusive. Would get charged for a simple repair 5 times more than it cost at normal shop. Never would buy a hyundai again. You get service and care adequate for the money you pay. Next time would spend couple of thousand more and buy toyota. Hyundai is realiable and cheap until the first repair or 60K. Engine wiring harness cost $1100!!!! Dont waste your money on this garbage

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  My bad: its NOT all that - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By honestbroker1 - July 28 - 11:08 am

  I was very enamored in the first month, but its not so great after-all. Two warranty repairs needed in under 9000 miles taking 5 trips to the dealer to fix them. Dealer lacked parts for both repairs, even though there was a TSB on the second one. Dealer did not go the extra mile for me when I needed them to, resulting in additional time living with a broken rear sunshade stuck in the up position (and a dangerous, distraction while driving since the car always tried to lower the sunshade, then raise the sunshade when shifting into R and then D...a LOUD horrible noise). I am going back to Toyota (no warranty repairs, not even in 110k miles) or Mazda (no warranty repairs in 45k miles).

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  The Best For Tthe Price - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By William - July 28 - 4:33 am

  I had this vehicle for 3 years and i love it, It came with a 3.5 liter Engine that has so much power that it scared me in the begining can out run a lot other vehicles fast, very fast. Pretty good milage and runs well on regular gas. Unfortunetley new Sata fe do not have this egine I think they have a 3.3 liter now so i dont know if you will get the kick i get.

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  Perfect!! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Little Nuke - July 27 - 1:23 am

  This car is easily the nicest I have owned. I traded an Acura for this and before that I had a Mercedes. Frankly, neither of them can compare to this car. Its superior in every way. I love telling people I traded my Acura for a Hyundai.

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  Traded Odyssey for Entourage - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By John Bush - July 26 - 3:50 pm

  After suffering sticker shock at my Honda dealer when I found out it would cost over 40 grand for a new 07 Odyssey with the features I wanted, I shopped around and fell in love with Hyundais Entourage Limited. It has more "bells and whistles" practical features than the Odyssey, but after rebate ended up costing $29,300 including the $4000 Luxury Package. The engine and transmission are unbelievably smooth as is the ride, and after 2 months and almost 4000 miles the vans been flawless. Im averaging about 20 MPG for blended driving, which for a 4400 pound 7 passenger vehicle with a 250 HP V-6 engine isnt unreasonable. This van is gonna give Honda and Toyota a lot of competition!

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  OMG love it!! - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Hot Car - July 26 - 12:51 pm

  Since day one this car has continued to impress me. MPG strated at less than expected but has now peaked at 37 MPG. More room than you could imagine from seeing outside. I drive 100 miles every day and is more than comfortable. The elevation at home is about 6500 feet above sea level and work is 9500 feet above sea level. This car has no issues with the hills and is completely fun in the corners. Love it!!

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  Hyundai takes no prisoners - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By zyvox201 - July 26 - 8:43 am

  Was lucky to get the Azera, the car is remarkable in that it has solid performance couple with subtle elegance; yet, it is less than 30,000 fully loaded. It can easly compete with some of the lower end luxury cars and it is arguable the best of this years near luxury cars. I and those who see it have trouble believeing that it is a Hyundai. I hope that once the word gets out on the Azera that Hyundai will receive the respect that it has truly worked for.

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  First Three Weeks - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Roy E - July 26 - 12:00 am

  I had been shopping for a new car for over 1 year not finding exactly what I wanted. The Malibu almost had me, but I wanted to wait for the 2011 Sonata. I looked at it, drove it and left with it 3 hours later. Its a beautiful car inside and out. In addition, I have been getting over 30 mpg around town! It

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  Hyundai right up there with Oddessey!! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Satisified Customer! - July 25 - 5:42 pm

  I am a previous Honda Oddessey owner for 4 years and really liked my van, however when it came time to trade in I just had to look at the new Hyundai Entourage, after driving it I was really amazed the fit & finish was excellent on power to the honda the refinement of the 3.8-250HP motor with 5 speed tran was smooth and powerful more so than my oddessey, the oddessey still get #1 for handeling but lets get releastic this is a mini-van Not a sports car, ride is far seperior to my oddessey for reliability I think that Hyundais 10/100,000 WILL KEEP ME AT EASE. I have put 7000 miles on this Entourage and I truly love it, if you are thinking about a mini-van giv Hyundai Entourage a Close look!

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  On the fence about this car... - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ashley - July 25 - 11:43 am

  I still havent decided if I want to keep this car or trade it in! Interior seems very cheap, back seat that folds down will not click back into place, hood has crease across it like a 2x4 got shut in the hood (but dealer is the only place the hood is opened when they do the oil change). Noise in dash like something vibrating around in glove box but nothing is in there. Great MPG, easy car to drive b/c of size, love the hatchback and fold down seats (when they lock back where theyre supposed to!) which give plenty of inside cargo space. Cheap exterior construction. Seems underpowered compared to Civic, Jetta, and other comparable cars. If I dont buy another its because of the dealership.