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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  Another Car of the Year? - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hyundia convert - July 15 - 2:10 am

  Well-known Auto Mags such as Car & Driver compared the new Sonatas exterior to Mercedes-Benz CLS-class. The comments about the interior, they stated that it was "quickly homing in on Lexus-level fit & finish". I was immediately impressed with this car in so many levels: excellent build quality, lots of features, best MPG in its class (35 hwy), and plenty of room (classified as a LG vehicle). It also has the highest crash rating with loads of safety features- ESC, anti- lock breaks, & 6 airbags. Plenty of cup holders (I counted 8- plenty of room to hold a cup of coffee when you forget your mug from the day before. I purchased the car with XM, Infinity stereo, blue tooth and NAV.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chris G - July 14 - 6:43 am

  Ive owned 5 cars in my lifetime (Mitsubishi, another Hyundai, Volvo, Honda). This has been the best vehicle Ive owned thus far. I purchased it used with 15K miles on it for $17500 and the dealership kept the 100K mile warranty on it. I just recently hit 110K miles on it in early 2016, and Ive only had 2 problems with it since purchase. The CD player recently stopped working (stuck CD) and the coolant system blew out and required a complete replacement at 30K (warranty covered). Despite those 2 issues, Im still in love with this car. I have been with it in Florida driving around the city and frequent tropical storms without problems, it has taken me to Virginia/DC/Connecticut and handled the snow/ice very well (despite being 2WD), and currently is enduring Texas weather without problems. It comfortably fits 4 people (5 if the person in the middle is small).

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  This vehicle is a a pleasure to drive. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John Burke - July 13 - 8:26 pm

  This 2007 Santa Fe Limited awd is not only a pleasure to drive,It is Excellent on gas mileage for a mid size suv on a trip all thru upstate New York with the cruise control set I was able to get 25 mpg. Handling on the interstate highway and back roads was just as I expected And A bit more.

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  Happy Me - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Happy Me - July 13 - 6:06 pm

  This car is well-equipped, and I really appreciate how much attention was given to the detail and accessories in this car. The sound system is fabulous. I would recommend the Elantra as a really nice surprise. Just sit in it and youll see. Even the dash is attractive. Good job. Hyundai!!

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  best compact suv value - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By db25 - July 13 - 6:36 am

  this is the forth hyundai i have owned and the best.the features and benifits outweigh the jeep compass and the rav4,crv etc .dont pay more and get less . the hyundai quality and depenability are the best.

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  Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By halldw - July 10 - 4:53 pm

  Awesome car. Loaded with features for a fracation of the price of other sedans.

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  Dropped a Jag for a Hyundaiot - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By GenCoupeLover - July 10 - 7:23 am

  Until I test drove this car, I couldnt imagine buying a Hyundai. But as soon as I got behind the wheel, I fell in love. Being Hyundais first rear-wheel drive car, their first real sports car (Scoupe/Tiburon dont count), I expected a lot less. The turbo gives the car a "peppy" feel you dont get with the V6. The exterior styling is unique and almost exotic. You could probably slap an Aston, Infiniti, or Lotus badge on it and it wouldnt look out of place. Road trips are a blast -- its quieter than my Jaguar X-Type, and it handles like an M3. This is by far my favorite car Ive ever had.

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  Wow! So this is a Hyundai???? - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dallen47 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  2 years ago, I wouldnt have even looked at one!!! Good marketing raised my curiosity. All I can say is WOW!!! Test drive revealed a well made, quiet and peppy vehicle. I bought the 4 cylinder and took it to Florida. 33MPG??? Im in heaven. Only flaw was a distorted side view mirror. One trip to the dealer and it was fixed- free!! Every time I drive it (wifes car), I marvel "I cant believe this is a Hyundai. Now have 13,000 miles and its still as tight and quiet as the day I bought it.

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  Nice Car - steering a little tricky - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rtown1 - July 9 - 3:23 pm

  Had the car for 2 weeks. The steering can be a little scary until you get used to it. Other than that it is a really nice car. Lots of pep, comfortable ride and 22.8 MPG.

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  kudos hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By anish - July 9 - 11:10 am

  great car, very quiet, has a nice and clean feel on the inside, smooth ride,very spacious front and rear seats, gr8 lookin headlights, lots of trunk space. it is an excellent car for families with need of space and who are on budget.