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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  So Far, Very Good - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By camilio - December 23 - 12:42 am

  I was a Camry guy for years, having two in a row I kept for 9 years. After I started having problems with the brakes (and all the press), I decided it was time for a change. After 3.5 years (I bought the car in August of 2010), and 60,000+ miles, the car has done very well. The only problem was the battery did fail prematurely, but no other issues. The car is a beauty, I only paid 18K for it (base model), has great pickup, and handles a lot better than my Camry ever did!

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  06 Sonata is a winner - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By baltimorerider - December 21 - 7:36 pm

  Sold off my old Camry XLE V6, and got an LX V6 Sonta. It has every feature you find in higher priced cars, but sells for under 25K with better warranty. No more toyota for me. I also tested the 05 camry SE V6, and toyota dropped the ball; that car simply doesnt handle well even with the ESC. I looked at Avalon, and its much better but the price is 10K more.

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  What a Value - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian - December 21 - 6:41 pm

  I bought a 2016 SE to replace my totaled 2013 Outback. I have had the car for 3 weeks and have 1500 miles on it. So far it has been great. I was initially attracted to the car due to the value. I received 5k off MSRP and was out the door for less than $20k. The only other midsize car that I could have gotten for a similar price was a VW Jetta and the Hyundai beat it in almost every way. In no way do I feel I compromised by not going with a more expensive midsize sedan (Accord, Camry, etc). The only feature that we did not get in this car that we wanted was heated seats (3k more to get the trim/options just to get the heating seats). Everything else we were looking for was included in the SE. 7 inch entertainment system with bluetooth/android auto, steering wheel controls, keyless entry, alloy wheels, and the best warranty out there. The car drives very smooth and was completely comfortable on a 800 mile road trip. I cruised at 80 with no issues and returned over 35 mpg on the trip with about 50 miles of heavy city driving thrown in. Car is quiet and smooth. The entertainment system is very responsive. The bluetooth syncs faster than any other car I have used. Rear seats have more space than the outback (we have very large car seats that fit just fine). Hopefully it proves to be reliable.

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  Cant afford the GT, Buy GLS Hatchback - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Richard - December 21 - 7:46 am

  For the money, the best car youll find GLS Hatch, hss same underpinnings and stearing as GT. Save the $2 Gs if you dont have it. Get the CD player with 6 speakers & cruise. Get a respecable 28 mpg overall.

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  awsome - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By jim3159 - December 21 - 3:56 am

  Wow. I use to own a Chrysler T&C and needed traded in for this one. Wow. With a bigger engine premium audio system, DVD, heated seats. I now have more toys. At such a great price. My only regret is not going for the limited with even more toys. Keep up the good work Hyundai.

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  More than I asked for! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By goodwood61 - December 20 - 6:16 pm

  I was looking for a reliable vehicle that had all the creature comforts I had in my 97 STS. I found everything and more in this vehicle. It is quiet, powerful, stylish, and comfortable. I have had nothing but compliments on it and with a super warantee to boot I look forward to many trouble free miles. I compared other vehicles on the web and was prepared to pay more, but I couldnt justify it after a test drive in my the car. It was more than I asked for at a super price. Great value!

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  Bad Gas - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Diane - December 20 - 4:26 pm

  I lost my Santa Fe due to an accident where it was totaled. I then purchased the new Tucson. While it was a great car to drive, roomy and easy to park,the gas milage was intolarable. I was only getting 13 mpg, That was not acceptable so I traded it in for the Elanta. Much better gas milage but i was my Santa Fe back

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  Totally happy with my puchase - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Adam - December 20 - 8:52 am

  I got one of the last 06 Elantras they had on the lot. I was looking for a deal, and boy did I get one. Ive been looking at cars for the past few months, and I never found one that has the looks, features and pricing of the Elantra. It has great pick up, handles beautifully, and has a great warranty.

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  A great Korean vehicle - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LinksmasGrybas - December 20 - 2:00 am

  A bit bigger than the small SUVs, more room and a lot of car for the money. Enjoyable to drive.

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  Good Commuter Car - 1996 Hyundai Elantra
  By Broadway - December 19 - 9:34 pm

  Have put on 100-140 miles daily for for almost 8 years of use. Now have 279K on vehical. Major service include refurbished AT tranny at 147k ($1300) and recent water pump ($450) plus timing belt service, used power steering pump,gas filter,2 radiator fan motors,3rd set of tires (90K ea) Have not replaced alternator,muffler,or injector servicing. Check engine light has been on for 100k now. Have crack low on exhaust manifold but still get 35 to 38 mpg freeway,combo 30-33. Still no oil,tranny leaks...amazing! All my previous American cars have messed up my garage!