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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  My 1st brand new car! - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By ronda h. - October 19 - 1:12 am

  scary about purchasing a new car, been many years since I purchased a car. wanted to make sure the chose I made was the right one. my brother and sis-in-law were a deciding factor. over 20 years they have either both or one have owned a Hyundai. now the three of us all own 2016 Hyundai Tucsons, in different colors. happy with my chose. mine is in Caribbean blue. makes me smile.

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  Huyndai is a Big Name now - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Worth every Pennies - October 18 - 8:46 pm

  This v6 sonata is incredible. I tested drive Mazda6, Mits Galan and Lincoln Zypher, they all priced 6-8 K more but cant beat the sonata performance. Its so powerful and quiet and drive smooth. My kids didnt like huyndai but after they drove it, they said dad, it drive like a mercedes, a little exaggerated but they mean it was great. Thats for my wife. Thinking about buying myself an Azera. My relatives still think I am crazy buying huyndai. They can think that way but I just love huyndai.

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  Accent - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Thomas - October 18 - 3:39 pm

  I get more mileage than shown in your report. City: 35MPG, Highway: 40MPG

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  BUY IT NOW - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By OZOGBY - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Sonata not beeng so sure about it, but now, after one year of driving it I can tell you that it is better than other cars in its class. the warranty is exelent and no body at the dealer gives you any problems. in conclusion BUY IT

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  Gas Mileage, fantastic on highway!!! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By bernibookh - October 17 - 10:20 pm

  I cant believe it has been almost a year since I wrote the first review on the Veracruz and I must admit I am still "VERY MUCH SATISFIED!!" My son and I traveled to Boston MA. two weeks ago, and we were so impressed at the gas mileage the Veracruz gave! My son and I decided to split the miles in half(389 each). I started out first from NC. I decided to stop and get gas after traveling 479 miles (son went to sleep) I still had a quarter of a tank left! I have to admit, I was so impressed! This was a comfortable and inexpensive trip!

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  Great inexpensive car - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Howie - October 17 - 5:57 pm

  Got my 04 Accent 5spd at used dealership tent sale a couple months ago. It had 4975 miles total and I got it for $6500 plus tax...around $7200 OTD! How can you beat that for a car that was practically NEW w/a great warranty? I ride my motorcycle 90% of the time out here in CA but needed an inxpensive reliable car for errands, taking the dog to the park..etc. This car so far has been excellent...no frills....am/fm cassette only but has A/C. Good on gas and drives really nice for a little car. 5spd is actually kinda peppy. Can ride 80mph w/out much problem. Styling is nice. Buy one used...they can be had for MUCH under msrp....almost 1/2 with low miles. Very happy w/the Accent!

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  Poor tires and Poor tire warranty - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Elantra - October 17 - 5:24 pm

  The Michelin tires are very poor that came with this vehicle. Any nail or flat will require an automatic replacement of the tire. The warranty on the tires is meaningless. Generally the vehicle is good although I did have to replace the odometer and the stereo. The headlight replacement on the driver’s side is very cumbersome even for the dealer. The dealer never seems able to align the lights correctly. I have had no trouble with major electrical, powertrain or engine. I have also had to replace a number of headlights a little too quickly, from my view.

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  Very Very Pleased - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lexck - October 16 - 3:39 pm

  Very pleased with my new Sonata!!! I shopped the Toyota and Honda, they were left in the dust as far as quality, price, bang for my buck and nobody can beat my warrenty...

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  Dangerous - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Unhappy - October 15 - 8:27 am

  Like other reviews the DCT is dangerous and this car should not be on the road. Had 3 occasions when the car has completely failed to accelerate, luckily in each case no one behind me and not crossing a road. After the first occasion took it into the dealership they "updated" the software but did not inform me this is a known issue. Next day happened twice within a few minutes, plus overrevved when changing from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3. Took the car back to the dealership and they admitted this was a know issue and the software update does not work. Hyundai are meant to be working on a new version, timeline unknown. I have requested a buyback from Hyundai and filed complaint with NHTSA, where there are hundreds of similar complaints. Hyundai and their dealerships should be getting this car off the road. Based on my customer service to date I will never buy another Hyundai or use this dealership chain. Even if they provide an update will almost certainly sell immediately.

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  Tons of issues - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - October 14 - 8:40 pm

  Wow! Where to start. Here is the beginning. Not even a year, air noise on the drivers side back window, oil pressure gauge, oil temperature gauge, inside gauge for the outside air temp, engine ideling issues, brake rotors warped at 8000 miles, multi CD player sticks and wont eject, auto shut off of lights stops working from time to time, a major rattle in the dash, and not to top it off, The TRANSMISSION is having issues. The dealership is waiting for the district rep to come in. What more can I say. I got a lemon.