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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  Disappointing fuel economy, but I still LOVE it - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By stephen_b - March 26 - 9:53 am

  What initially drove me to look at the GT was the fuel economy, but what sold me was the sleek styling and comfortable roomy interior. I am 63 and have ample head and leg room. The leather seats are very comfortable. And the car just looks sexy. I got it in red with tan leather and the style package, and its just beautiful. It is visually far more appealing than any other car in its class, imo. The only issue I have with it is the disappointing fuel economy. I have only had it for a little less than a month, but its averaging about 25-26 mpg with a substantial amount of highway driving. Ive only had it for a month, and put about 1k miles on it. I also live in a congested area.

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  Hyundai of Escondido - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Frank1495 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  6000 miles and still no problems. Biggest issue is gas mileage which averages in the 19-20 mpg range. Way below the advertised economy rating.

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  Midnight Madness - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Big Dee57 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  The reason I chose this SUV is because it is easy to handle and it drives just like a car and besides that it is so easy to shift and the stereo system is outstanding. I really love the way it handles on the highway, so smooth and flows so easy over the roads. I wouldnt trade my Santa Fe for nothing.

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  Wanna know about the new 2011 Santa Fe?? - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By misterbill2 - March 25 - 6:01 am

  Got the vehicle on Thanksgiving. Had a 2005 CRV, traded it in. The Santa Fe SE is a better SUV. I have been an industrial mechanic and Honda owner for 35 years. Hyundai won me over. I got the SE 3.5 version. As hard as I could try the only thing I didnt like was the harsher ride than the Honda, but more quiet inside. It feels a little more sporty, on smooth roads, but all in all I dont think you can go wrong. This car is well built, and designed, the engine had plenty of power if you put the pedal to the metal (its too new to do it too often) it is truly a little pocket rocket, pulls some Gs! Considering the warranties and Consumers Reports rating its better than Toyota or Honda overall!

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  Great car - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joe - March 24 - 3:36 am

  Hands down, the most reliable car Ive ever owned! The turbo is awesome if you like power. This is my second Sonata in a row. We also purchased one for my wife last year. My only complaint is the resale value.. Its terrible!

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  I love this vehicle! No regrets! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By 2004xlt - March 24 - 2:42 am

  The critics review of this hybrid game me doubts, but my own personal experience in the first 5K confirmed that I made an excellent choice! I drive both city and highway miles and saving a fortune on gas. Im averaging 38 mpg. The mpg automatically resets when you refuel. Occasionally the transition from electric to gas engine is noticeable, but I wouldnt describe it as "quirky" like the critics suggest. I have never even noticed the braking issue that they describe. This car does not go unnoticed and draws a lot of attention.

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  none - 1993 Hyundai Elantra
  By louis j arnold - March 23 - 2:00 am

  body and suspension very solid. this vehicle had 76000 miles when purchased, not even broken-in. great little car. only problem was that it had no a/c.

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  Best car I ever purchased! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By vickiepayne - March 23 - 1:48 am

  All I can say is WOW! I did not test drive this car, I bought it online and had it delivered to me at work. I was a little worried about it only being a 4cyl. But to my surprize this car has the get up and go to pass anything on the road. It rides and handles great, I live in the ozark mountains and it is darn right fun to drive through the curves, climbs the mountains without hesitation. I get 34 mpg through the mountains and got as high as 37mpg on flat land with cruise. some of the plastic in the interior could be better grade, but for the money this is one sweet ride. I used to have a lexus SC400 and I rate the sonata right up there with it!

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  Ejoy your ride. - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anand - March 22 - 10:33 pm

  I am very satisfied with my new 2006 Sonata. My old car was Accord. Sonata is much superior than the Accord.

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  6 months and happy for the most part - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Suetalk - March 22 - 4:53 pm

  I have now had this car for 6 months and 7,600 miles. I love it but it does have some flaws. The mileage is not what its rated at all. Its actually 2-3 gallons lower on city as well as hwy. I did have a bad battery and the car had to be towed twice in the first week before they replaced it. The biggest gripe with the car is the bluetooth. Its totally lame. I can get good reception for the most part but the party on the other end only can only hear decently on "outstanding roads when driving in little or no traffic". When does that ever happen. The bluetooth is a totally cheap unit and is a burr under my skin. Its probably the reason I wont keep the car more than a couple of years