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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  Hyundai Sonata The Winner - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By RocketScientist - May 16 - 2:16 pm

  Just purchased after reviewing and test driving the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. My impressions: Solid well built car, great amenities, nice ride. Before buying I read the reviews about the car being a rattle-trap on bumpy roads, well my driveway is about 150 yards of dirt washboard and the car didnt rattle excessively while traversing it. Yes with the very tight suspension you can feel the road irregularities, the car however never feels out of control. And it really feels and sounds solid. My other car is a Merc-Benz S420 and the sounds in the driveway are comparable. I would recommend this car to anyone needing reliable basic transportation at a value price. Paid $200 under invoice.

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  What a Joy - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Lalita - May 16 - 11:40 am

  We bought this car a week ago,I must say that I have never loved any car this much. We have been a Hyundai family since we started to buy vehicles and it is very hard for us to go for other brands though this time I looked at other vehicles as well, I am glad that we stuck with Hyundai. It is been great

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  Great Price Value - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Ed - May 16 - 7:10 am

  Have owned 5 Toyotas and 2 Hondas, Hyundai beats both on price for features. Several consumer publications state the reliability is on par to Toyota and Honda. Replaced an 02 Corolla with 157,000 miles with Elantra Touring. Potential buyers should note the Touring is based on a Hyundai i30 sold in Germany, not the Elantra sedan sold in US. The ride is firmer and the steering tighter. The Touring feels more like a Civic than a Corolla. Got a great deal and service from Hyundai of St. Augustine, FL. No typical car dealer tactics.

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  cant touch the deal - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By m & m - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Does everything I ask it to and at that kind of money, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, none can touch it. Gets me from here to there (commutes over 120 miles) with no fuss and easily cruises at high speeds. Big back seat fits car poolers and more than enough power to pass.

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  what a pile! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By mike_b4 - May 15 - 8:47 pm

  what started off as a great looking, good fuel economy and decent performer has morphed into a money pit. this car was purchased new in 2011 and currently has 73k/miles; it has been serviced only at the dealer and highway driven. the cars stereo screen went out about a year ago and since it was over their "select" electronic warranty, i would have to replace it - cost $800 installed. on top of this slap to the face, the new part would have a 1 yr/12k warranty. if the original factory piece went out after 1 year, then why wouldnt the new one? now the shifter doesnt recognize the vehicle is in park all of the time when you park it. not covered & cost over $300 for a non essential part.

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  Great Vehicle for a Small Family - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Devnath Vasudevan - May 15 - 7:39 pm

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  Questions - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Disappointed - May 15 - 7:33 pm

  Bought the car in jan. 2007, it has 1.500 kms, and I am wondering if the car has front suspension at all... Very noisy in irregular road, the front tren and the direction are causing knockings I am not very happy with...feels like driving a 100.000 kms used car. Further, the audio is poor and in the highway very noisy ( wind )

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  A very pleasant surprise - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By guybrarian - May 15 - 5:00 pm

  Were a small family of 3 and we decided to upgrade from a subcompact after the arrival of #3. After 1 year of research - I was looking for more space and more safety - I stumbled upon this gem. There is more than enough space for road tripping and the cabin is quiet and well designed. I enjoy not seeing the car everywhere...In the past 4 weeks Ive seen only 2!

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  Good LIttle car - 1996 Hyundai Accent
  By tzz50 - May 15 - 2:48 pm

  Just got the a few weeks ago but no big mess ups yet but it has the capability to be a good street racer.

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  Buyer beware - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lee - May 15 - 9:22 am

  I have never had a car with so many problems in my life. The headlights have gone out simultaneously 6 TIMES, which the dealer claims is a coincidence. The car has been at the dealer and mechanic more than my husbands 1991 Ford Escort. As soon as one thing is fixed, another goes wrong, many things over and over again (like the air bag for instance). I have a friend who bought the same car at the same time and she is having some of the same problems.