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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  Bad Experience - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By lucille - September 18 - 8:26 am

  I purchased my 2011 in may. I drove my car to Memphis and was coming through ms and my car stopped and would not start. I had to call roadside and they had to tow my car to Pine Bluff ark. It was said that it was the fuel pump and it was not. They had to replace the fuse box. I am very upset, my car has been in the shop since the 13th of July. They had to order a fuse box from Korea. Finally I get a call to say that my car is ready today, 29th July. My car is being shipped from pine bluff, because I live in Texas

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  Think about it. Drive it. Do the math. - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By ppirf - September 18 - 4:00 am

  Bought my Hyundai 4.6 last week. My first impressions are this is a great car for the price. If you are reading this and are thinking of buying a BMW, Lexus or MB you need to drive this car. Traded our Volvo s60 R for this car and I couldnt be happier. The steering is not as tight as a BMW or MB and the ride is softer but thats okay for my driving habits. I had a deal for a nicely optioned 2008 BMW 535I that fell through.When all was said and done we financed $17k less for a fully loaded Genesis 4.6. More reviews to come as I get more acquainted with car, but at first impression this car is great value for the money.

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  Excellent Economy Hatch - 2017 Hyundai Accent
  By Lucas S - September 18 - 12:14 am

  Very enjoyable ride, holds tight in the corners and has plenty of power for emergencies, though high reving is needed for such, cargo space is great, huge space with the back seats folded. I would suggest adding an upgraded entertainment/infotainment system (Im putting in a 6.2 inch screen with Bluetooth, GPS, DVD player, backup camera, OBD2, etc), K&N 33-2472 High Performance Air Filter, as well as cruise control as the SE doesnt have it. The car is very responsive in handling, though if you like a sportier feeling like I do, Id suggest adding Storm Lowering Springs and a short throw shifter. For an even better driving experience, a front strut tower bar (upper strut brace), rear torsion bar, 2 or 4 point (I prefer 4) lower tiebar brace, can be found at piercemotorsport.

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  good car for the money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By steve - September 17 - 11:00 pm

  my wife and i purchased our sonata last fall. it was the most car we could find for the money. we are very happy with it. it has a smooth ride and great comfort. it is an extremely quiet ride. the pick up is adequate, although there seems to be a little drag shifting from 1st to 2nd if you are easy on the gas. the gas mileage is average, about 24 city and 28 highway. if you stay at the speed limit or lower, it improves. i did get 33 mpg on one such trip! the cd system is great.the abs and 4 disc brakes work extremely well.

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  Pretty good but not enough - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Ed&Veve - September 17 - 9:29 pm

  This is a 5-speed A/T. Mileage to date is 22K. We purchased this car as new. The only major problem encountered so far was on the rear brakes (factory defect) when about 3K miles. Longest trip was from Georgia to Ohio (500+ miles) with 3 adults, 1 child, and lots of baggage. With a combine load of about 800lbs, we traveled for 8hrs, 60- 80mph on highways. Fastest trip was for 2hrs, 70-90mph with 2 adults and a child. Acceleration from traffic stops, uphill and passing is slow. Combine mpg is about 30. A/C, heater, steering, braking, controls are fine. Enough spaces for front seats but cramped for 3 at the back. Overall, pretty good economy car for lower end buyers and small family.

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  Highly Recomend - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By H TURNER - September 17 - 9:15 pm

  Almost 104,000 miles. I drive this car. If I do 55 -60 mph I can get 32mpg Everything has held up well and hyundi dealer has been great. I do not use them for service but when i need them they have been there. I compared it to civic,coralla,focus etc. I can buy a new 2005 for less then my 2002.

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  A-OK - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By justine - September 17 - 12:18 pm

  I really like my car, a Silver, 2004 Hyundai, Sonata. I bought it brand new in July 2004 and have put about 9000 miles on it so far. The only thing I had a problem with was the fact that a few months ago the circuit for all of the windows went out, none would go up or down and the dealership I went to for help told me I would have to wait a week to fix the windows. Beyond the window problem, I do love my car. I also like the fact that the exterior design makes it look like i spent a lot more money on the Sonata than I actually did. Overall, I am very happy with my car.

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  Very Pleased - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By ryan - September 16 - 12:36 am

  I have been nothing but satisfied with my purchase. I bought the car a week ago and it has been great. I expected the weak fuel economy, but it offers a roomy interior with great lines, and awesome styling on the exterior. I bought the Limited model and it comes with more bells and whistles then my parents Lexus Rx300, which cost almost 10,000 dollars more USED. This car will be with me well into the future, if you just bought one, hope you enjoy it as much as myself.

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  Review of Hyundai Veracruz - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By rhodes - September 15 - 2:10 pm

  I have driven this car 5000 miles. It is a pleasure to drive. I have not had any problem as of yet. It drives good on expressways and handles well and is quiet. The car gives me a safe feeling and has plenty of room in all three seats. It is an elegant looking car.

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  ongoing CD troubles 2011 Tucson - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By litlebit1 - September 15 - 1:28 pm

  We purchased our 2011 Tucson brand new, top of the line, all bells and whistles. It is a great little car and we like almost everything about it...but one problem is driving us nuts! CD player makes a cracking/scratching sound at various intervals of use. We like to listen to audio books but anywhere 20-30 minutes into listening the CD starts making noises. We turn it off and can turn it on to use again after 5-10 minutes until it happens again. This is so disruptive. Hyudai has addressed it by supposedly replacing it 3 different times...each time we continue to have same problem. Our CDs are new, never used.