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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  I would not buy this car again. - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By connien - October 5 - 2:40 pm

  I love the style of this car as do many people. That said my particular car has computer/electrical issues. I have had to have the radio replaced twice, an amplifier replaced, the driver door button replaced twice, and the push button start had an occasional "interrupt" in the brake connect that kept the car from starting quite a few times. Now these may seem minor, but somehow the computer/electrical system is damaging components in the car! Im very worried about what might be next. I have heard from another owner that his traction control siezed and caused him to have an accident. Hyundai replaced his car but the new one has issues too! Nothing worse than electrical issues.

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  hot stuff - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By billy55 - October 5 - 12:40 am

  I had the Hyundai sonata less then a month and love it!! I got the gls i4 with the popular option package, power seat, trip computer, auto lights, ect: I originally planned on getting an accord or Camry but the Hyundai dealer was right down the road from me and after test ride and pricing I grabbed it. The Camry or accord would of been a few thousand more. My only complaint is the air conditioner. We live in hot Florida and there were a few really hot humid days where the air just didnt seem to be good enough for me, but only around town,highway it is fine. My wife thinks its fine and said that I am just trying to find something wrong. great car! but bad resale value

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  Amazing car - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By flashgordondayton - October 4 - 5:20 pm

  I bought my genesis coupe a year ago and I still get asked what kind of car is that? Driving is amazing Power is great No problems Id buy another one in a minute

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  So far, so good... - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By richmonder1 - October 4 - 10:54 am

  Ive had my Elantra GT almost three months and nearly 4000 miles. Mine came with the "Touch & Go" package. Additionally, I preferred the manual transmission. Which brings me to the point of my review: I am getting better than the advertised mileage. On the highway, with limits varying between 55 mph and 70 mph, I typically get between 39 and 40 mpg. Sometimes more but rarely less. Around town, I can get as much as 31 to 32 mpg or as little as 27 mpg. Typically, it will depend on the number of stoplights that trip has. Even with a canoe and a kayak on a Yakima rack, I was able to get 31 mpg on country secondary roads with 55 mph speed limits. The difference might be the transmission

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  Good one - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Roch Menard - October 4 - 10:00 am

  So far so good

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  With intelligent driving, this car delivers excellent mileage - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By ohio_pop - October 4 - 4:08 am

  I have 2 Sonata hybrids a 2011&12. The cars are roomy and provide excellent comfort. The ride is extremely smooth especially on the highway. For folks larger than petite or who have joint mobility issues, this car provides the most driver/front passenger leg room and ease of entry and exit. The controls are intuitive and the beeping signals - engine on/off, key in car etc easy to follow - somewhat similar to how a pet would communicate with you. The trick to getting excellent mileage is to use cruise control as much as possible - even in city traffic. This maximizes use of the electric vs. gas engine. I consistently get >40 mpg-see fueleconomy.gov OH entries. Luv driving this car!

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  Awesome New Style - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By TH - October 4 - 12:33 am

  We purchased our Sonata SE in February, 2010. We absolutely love it. Everywhere we go, everyone seems to be staring at the vehicle. We purchased the 2011 Sonata sold at our dealership, so few people knew what is was. Our vehicle is Venetian Red. We get compliments on the vehicle everywhere we go. Some have mistaken it for a Lexus.

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  Love my GT - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By stulesser - October 3 - 3:53 pm

  I bought my car in May 06 @ Universal Hyundai in Orlando. First contact was through the internet and I feel they gave me a great deal $13,900. No other dealer in the area could match it. Sales folks were more than helpful. They went over every detail of the car. Service has been very good. If I have it serviced at the dealer I get "tires for life". My wife and I took the car on a trip to NJ. It ran exceptionally well, averaging over 32 mpg. One tank got over 36 mpg. The car is exactly what I was looking for. Well probably trade our SUV for the new Elantra (have to see it first), Also considering the Sonata or Azera. No complaints with the car or dealership.

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  Great Car at a Better Price - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chuck - October 3 - 1:22 pm

  I couldnt be happier with my 2002 Hyundai Elantra GT. Its been trouble- free for more than 20,000 miles, its reasonably fun to drive, and it gets great mileage, especially on the freeway. My wife complains that it is too small, but it is what it is, a compact, economical, comfortable car. Also, with the hatchback, it will haul significant amounts of cargo when necessary. I even fit a set of full- size soccer goals into the back on one occasion.

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  How I perceive my Hyundai Tucson - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By norma schultz - October 3 - 10:00 am

  I love driving my vehicle, it offers a very smooth ride and feels very safe and strong. It is quiet, and operates very efficiently.