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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  Great Performance - at any price - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Bob - December 13 - 9:46 pm

  I had bought 3 previous Hyundai models for members of my family and none of them have disappointed me yet. But when Hyundai went into the sports car market I wasnt quite sure what to expect - the Genesis Coupe, like the others didnt disappoint, it is clearly the best yet. I have owned other sports cars, BMW, Mercedes, and a Camaro and the Genesis Coupe outperforms them all in overall performance. Love the exterior and interior designs, everyone who has checked it out has been impressed. The interior is plush but sporty with a cockpit feel to it, the controls are easy to use, and the technology of bluetooth, XM radio, and Ipod connections add to the exceptional performance of the engine

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  Solid Value - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By sigma - December 13 - 1:00 pm

  Purchased my Sonata in May 2009. After careful research, (Edmunds very helpful). To date, I have but one puzzling issue with this vehicle. 5spd auto-transmission seems to "search" for proper gearing while operating. Notice from other owners of this model vehicle finding the same incidence involving transmission. This aside, all else with this vehicle is quite acceptable. Cheers!

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  Tight little car! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By soozers - December 12 - 10:47 pm

  Ive driven a lot of cars and used to work at a car dealership. The dollar/value ratio is outstanding and for the money, you cant go wrong. Im waiting for Hyundai to launch a small size pick up to compare with Toyota Tacoma. That would be cool.

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  fun to drive - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By robert - December 12 - 7:36 pm

  traded in my 2004 xg350l for the azera limited. got the car black with black leather interior and tinted windows. love the look and feel. has some much more power than my xg. I tend to forget how quick the car is. ride is smooth,braking is excellent. Interior looks and feels like luxury, especially for the low price.

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  I like it! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By TG - December 12 - 5:26 pm

  Looked at vw sportswagen, mazda3 and civic. Sportswagen was several thousand more and for what exactly? Civic had not enough space. Drove Mazda3 hatch and touring back to back several times (once in the rain) ultimately no contest -materials/space/dash layout were superior to the mazda3 (IMO). And I own a Mazda5! The ET has a very slightly softer ride but its a good thing! OTD for less than 20K. I do not find road noise or engine noise to be noticeable. Its relative to what you are used too and not the over-riding factor in this purchase. There really isnt anything on the market to compare. Looks better in my garage than in pics online! Hoping it holds up over time like my CRV.

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  Sweet SUV - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By AznTrojan - December 12 - 10:00 am

  i absolutely love this vehicle.. i guess working with a great hyundai sales manager (Walter Van at Lamar Hyundai in Cerritos, Calfornia) made this deal even sweeter.. for 20,500 out the door.. yup.. under invoice.. there is no suv comparable at that price range and with all the SFs standard features... driving is believing.. from a family of all toyotas.. hyundai has changed this skeptical buyer into a believer..

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By EPMD - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I LIKE THIS CAR MORE THAN MY 94 VW GOLF, AND THAT CAR WAS GREAT TO ME.

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  Satisfied whit my sonta - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By orland135 - December 11 - 7:26 am

  As previous owner of a Dodge Durango I have to said the Sonata is the best. I walk in to I Love Lee Hyunday of Fayett and Ms Quiomara take good care of me. I love this car, and my family and friens fall in love whit it.

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  Second Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By duaned - December 10 - 7:30 pm

  Purchased a new Limited with everything except nav system. Traded a Toyota Avalon and no regrets. Recently returned from a 2500 mile road trip and no problems. When not fighting a head wind, managed 32 mpg at 79 mph with the V6. Overall city around 22 mpg. This car has plenty of power and conveniences. Climate control works very well. Mostly quiet car except on textured, pebbled roads etc. (May change tires for quieter ride) Very little wind noise. Front buckets ok but a little short in the seat and leg room for a taller person. Cant stretch out legs when driving. Love the XM radio but expected a more refined sound from the Infinity system.

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  Im Young Again!! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark - December 10 - 8:43 am

  I love my Elantra! At 59 years of age, its great to feel young again! I feel like Im driving a sports car! The white pin-striping the dealership adds at no extra charge really sets off the Rally Red color and black trim! (I call it my racing stripe! LOL!)