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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  The best luxury car for the money - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By Eli - January 21 - 8:01 pm

  As the Hyundai Equus is getting to its end of life (Being replaced in 2017 model year by the new Genesis brand and a new body style and AWD option and will be called G90), the Equus ultimate can be had at a steep discount and excellent financing. We grabbed this opportunity with both hands, and are we glad we did. The comfort, road handling and performance as well as “all gadgets known to man” stand up to the luxury car brands out there. The road handling combined with the amenities are simply exceptional. At the price point of the car, it is unheard of. The engine has all the power one can ask for, the transmission is very smooth shifting, and the air suspension is simply the best. The sitting position in every seat (both front and rear) can be adjusted to the comfort of every person. The driving position and controls are out of this world. I would not even attempt to describe at the electronics and luxury amenities. I will not do them justice. Outside of every possible gadget known to mankind, one can use the remote app on their smartphone to start the car as well as may other functions. I am glad I got the Equus, because I can only imagine the cost of the 2017 Genesis G90 replacement. If you do not care about the emblem, I highly recommend this car. Even if you have already written a check from $85K to $110K and haven’t yet handed it to the dealer of one of those luxury brands, you owe it to yourself to take the Equus for a test drive. My bet is that you will not be sorry you did.

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  Style, Comfort, And Afordability - 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tim bana - January 21 - 11:40 am

  Purchased new 2016 Santa Fe SE AWD 8/31/15. Added on the Premium Package which offers numerous features. Ride is very comfortable with 19" tires and very positive steering. This is my first SUV, but searched the market place comparing it to other SUVs with options, price, dependability, and warranty. The Santa Fe had them beat. The 3rd seat is really for the grand kids. The V-6 has plenty of power for expressway entry and for passing. I have heated seats and wanted air cooled seats, but Hyundai has them with an additional package including a Panoramic Roof which I didnt want or need. I wish they bundle the heated/ cooled together. I took a road trip and put on 5,000 miles (averaging 26mph could be better) with no problem. During the trip stopped in El Paso Texas for an oil change. The dealer treated me very well like I was a local resident. They knew I was from another state, but that didnt matter. Hyundai has a good thing going for themselves. Time will tell how well they back their warranties.

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  Buyer Beware - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By jon grant - January 20 - 3:38 pm

  i owned a 2005 elantra and it caught fire after 4 months 4000 miles. it was determined by the columbus fire department to be a defect in the car and then later determined by nationwides fire specialist to also be a manufactures defect. the dealership and hyundai in fountain valley california have done nothing to resolve the loss of my vehicle. hyundai motor finance company through which i financed is still making me pay for a car that obviously is unreliable and a lemon. buyer beware and check out NHSTA.com.

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  Limited Edition V6 - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sean - January 20 - 3:00 pm

  Its no-more "good for the money Hyundai" I would get this car even without the rebate. The build quality and the design is amazing. It has fast, yet smooth acceleration, unlike other competitors. Very comfortable interior, largest among other similar cars tested. Im very happy that I made the choice to buy this car.

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  I want my Taurus back - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Peter Sawatzky - January 19 - 5:46 pm

  Before driving 2000 km . rear suspension began to rattles ,bang ,etc. Dealer said it was the high performance struts and the cold weather and all 2007s did the same thing.The banging is getting worse even over small bumps.They ordered new strut brackets;havent arrived yet. Annoying squeak between windshield and dash. None of my other cars had this problem in our cold climate.Could never get the XM radio to work.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kathleen - January 19 - 10:46 am

  I bought this car new in 2000 and have since driven it 140,000. It could not have been a better car to own. The gas mileage is great for my situation (a 60 mile round trip to work each day) and I have done nothing but routine maintenance. I do keep the oil changed every 3000 miles, but other than a few belts and tires, it has been maintenance free.

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  Great car.Look out here comes Hyundai!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mahlon Willams - January 19 - 4:43 am

  Great power train packages.The 3.3 is better than Kias 2.7 V6 and delivers a good punch being sister cars in body style. Fuel milage is better than fair even with the heavy foot.They do share the 2.4 4 cyl engine.Hyundai offers alot of standard features other cars call options.For ex. fog lights,electronc stability control for few.In a nut shell Hyundai is getting better fast.Dont fall asleep other asian auto makers Hyundai is paying attention to consumers demands and has come along way.Whos laughing now.

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  06 accent, getting much better - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Daniel Rosen - January 19 - 3:39 am

  I traded my 01 accent in and planned on getting a tiberon with the v6. I ended up going with the accent again. I had 93000 on the 01 and it is great on gas. The build quality of the 06 is much better then the 01, which is great to begin with. The main thing and the only thing I do not like with the 06 is the rear suspension, which I can live with. Hyundai has done it again with the 06 accent and is getting better fast year after year, Toyota, honda, watch your back. This korean manufacturer knows how to build them. (I was also looking at the Kia spectra 5, but the 2.0 is not worth the extra cost, same company anyways.)

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  great car for a great price... - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By DK - January 19 - 1:52 am

  Bought the car a year and 4 months ago. Havent had any problems other than the crappy Kenwood MP3 player - it never wanted to play mp3s. Im happy with the car though and I recently sent one to Europe. I havent had any mechanical problems and I would definitly recommend the car to anyone whos looking to buy a compact sedan. I have friends with Civics and Sentras and they are not any better yet theyre more expensive. The car is even roomier and better laid out inside. The GT is a great value but I think they should add a bigger engine if they wanna call it a "sporty."

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  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dentheman - January 19 - 12:13 am

  I reviewed this car right after i bought it when i was in love with it. After a year and a half of ownership, i have realized the good and bad of this car. Replaced alternator, transmission at around 56,000 miles. Constant power window problems. Have had engine light issues for the last 5 months. My car was a flood car, but that doesnt explain issues like interior door handles snapping without warning. Bottom line: If you only have 13,000 to spend, Elantra is a good choice. If you can afford better, definitely get something else. I intend on moving up to a Camry or Accord soon.