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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  Accent Hatchback - 2016 Hyundai Accent
  By Ron Allred - November 14 - 7:56 pm

  Car seems good so far. Noticed the layout under the hood could be better especially the upper radiator hose accessibility. I do a lot of my own maintenance and accessibility to components is very important. Transmission seems to up shift a little early. Car seems to sound very solid. Only have about 2500 miles on the car and am pretty well pleased so far.

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  Love my Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kelly - November 14 - 5:56 pm

  Reserched my new car purchase for several months. Was in the need for a safe, realiable car to drive clients around in and wasnt in the position to spent $30-$40K on a car. I love driving my new car and my clients are impressed with the way it handles and are more impressed how comfortable it is. Thanks Hyundai.

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  Love this car - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Tbs0711 - November 13 - 3:29 pm

  This is a great vehicle. I wish the 2018 had some of the same nice upgrades that my 2010 has. Its crazy my 2010, is nicer on the inside then the 2018.

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  Mileage NOT what I expected... - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Barb - November 13 - 9:54 am

  Weve had the car a little more than a week and since we bought it specifically for the mileage... were not impressed. We drive about 500 miles a week to/from work and was hoping for closer to 40 mpg than 30 mpg. Also, since these are mostly highway miles.. we really thought it would do better. Otherwise, we are pleased with the leg/head room, peppyness, and my husband said "It WILL do 120 mph" and handled very well while doing so... no floating. It really stayed grounded.

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  2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By jons2 - November 13 - 7:05 am

  If your looking for a fuel efficient full size car, this is it. We bought our Sonata last year based on consumer reviews and now have +17K miles on it. We just drove it on a 3000 mile tour of New England and averaged over 35 mpg with mostly highway driving, at 75 mph....close to 600 miles p/fill up. Truly amazing!!!! Even thru the hills of Vermont and New Hampshire, it had plenty of get up and go when I needed it. The combination of the direct fuel injection, the 6 spd tranny and the aerodynamics I believe is the key factor for the performance of this car. My wife has been able to achieve close to 30 MPG in suburban driving back and forth to work.

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  A automobile Elantra GLS AT - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By crb@yahoo.com - November 12 - 9:21 pm

  I am averaging 26 miles per gallon overall. Consumer Reports says 24 miles per gallon. The EPA says the average is 27 miles per gallon average. The reports say the average consumer is getting 24.2miles per gallon. The Elantra I have has ABS traction control with a sunroof. I rate the car as a consumer a 9. As an expert I feel the car is a better than the Corolla LE.The cruise control on the Corolla was difficult toengage.Not so with Elantra.

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  Great car for the money - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By Joe D - November 12 - 5:51 pm

  I bought this car in 1999 and we love it! It is still fun to drive after 6 years and we have had no major issues after 70,000 miles. All we do is change the oil. Still have original brakes, just changed the tires once. Great options, and the upgraded stereo system is great. Overall, we could not have asked for more from this vehicle.

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  Excellent Car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Andre - November 12 - 4:56 pm

  This is my 3rd Sonata. I had the 2003, 2006 and now have owned the 2009 for 9 months. You cant beat the price for such a quality car. I get 33 mpg on hwy and 29 combined city/hwy. The 2009 is superior to both 2003 and 2006 for that. The ride is quiet and comfortable. The oil filter is placed right on top of the engine, which makes it easy to replace... A brilliant idea!

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  Oh Yea! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Patriot_Nation - November 12 - 1:06 pm

  I purchased the pearl white model and its a real head turner. The SUV is beautiful inside and out. I notice other SUV drivers looking at it in traffic and Ive even had some approach me to check it out. I could see their jealousy and envy in their faces. I feel badly for the people who bought a 2006 Santa Fe. I would be kicking myself right now. When my wife suggested a Hyundai I thought she was nuts. (The name stigma). But after ALOT of research, on this, the CR-V, the Rav4, and the Forester, the Santa Fe blew them away. I was impressed with how far Hyundai has come. Its no longer the high rent Yugo, its now the low rent Lexus!

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  Mr. Hyde of the Elantra Family - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By "Ron" - November 12 - 1:13 am

  I have had the car for nearly two weeks and love it. I dumped my Toyota Tacoma in search of better fuel economy, better driving dynamics, and interior room. The Elantra Touring delivers on all three fronts. While not as good as my wifes Civic, the Hyundai is delivering decent fuel economy. My worst tank was still over 27 mpg of mostly city driving. Dont believe the mpg gauge, it is wrong. My SE 5 speed is a blast to drive. It handles on rails and steers very quickly. Ride is firm, but not jarring. You have to expect this with 17" low pro tires. Interior space is class leading and I have no issues with head/leg/thigh room and I am a big dude! Trips to Home Depot should be no problem .