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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  Awesome compact - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steve franklin - December 10 - 4:53 pm

  VERY NICE CAR! Younger people dont know that in the 70s 80s that small cars had no options to speak of .A/C was a huge option. No power windows ,door locks ,cruise control etc.... My first new car was a1979 Toyota Celica. Those were great cars and sold like hotcakes! Little 22 r 4 cyl 5 speed stick and dealer added Ac. Hp rating 91!! Oh and Manuel steering. Loved it! Drove it everywhere including 3 trips from so cal to the east coast. Up mountain roads, no problem fast forward to 2016 and people bemoan a compact with only 147 Hp. Really? And all the options any one could want. And reiewers complain it has a little wind noise,some road noise. They do know this is a moving car right?. And some say it rides ok at 55 .please it drives just fine at 80 85 mph all day long! It sure does on my trips to Vegas and back! In this owners opinion, it is an awesome well equipped comfortable competent car, an economy car thats light years ahead of those that came before them. Not one thing that man ever built is perfect. Just buy it. Enjoy it take care of it.and it should serve you well for many many years.

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  Love my NEW Sport Santa Fe - 2.4L AWD - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By vivivalencia - December 10 - 2:57 am

  I really enjoy my New Santa Fe, this is my 3rd Hyundai. I owned a GT Elantra (manual) and I still have my 2005 Santa Fe GLS, at 126,000 plus miles it still runs great. I tested BMW,Subaru, Audi, Explorer, Toyota, and after testing the new Santa Fe, I opted for another one. I chose Pearl white, first time with a bright color, my 2005 is black. Love to drive it, everyone loves the interior and exterior. My only concern had been the reviews on steering, so I tested roads, city and highway driving. People need to understand its a new technology, electronic, and all modes are sensitive to roads and conditions, and each wheel is sensitive to dry, wet, rocky pavement. Love it, I feel secure!

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  Out with the 11 and in with the 16 - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By Paul - December 9 - 6:17 pm

  With no intention to upgrade my 2011 Equus, I was visiting Pugi Hyundai as my wife was getting service on her Pugi Mazda. I walked over to the Hyundai store and saw a 2016 Equus on the showroom floor. The pricing was awesome with Hyundai rebates and I learned the Equus was going away and was being replaced with the G-90. Without a blick, I drove it home 9-26-2016...on my 29th wedding anniversary. It was my last chance to buy the greatest value luxury car I have ever owned . Note I have had 80 cars since 16 and now 52. BMW, MBZ, Cadillac, Buick, Ford, Pontiac, etc. and I have never purchased the same model twice. The Equus is an amazing vehicle and I was so happy to get the last of the best. Free advice; dont look at the badge or brand. Drive it, look at the beauty, look at the value and put the $50-$70k savings into diamonds for your wife or partner. Last point...dont wait to buy one......period.

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  Great Car! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Carrie - December 9 - 3:56 am

  I am a mechanical engineer and did extensive research before buying a car. I keep my cars for 10+ years and wanted something with longevity. My previous car was an infinty G20t and I thought I wanted the new G35, but I simply could not justify spending $35k on a new car, when I am planning on going back to school next year. The Hyundai is SO comfortable! I LOVE THE SOUND SYSTEM~! I wouldnt call it the sportiest car, but at this point in my life, Im enjoying a softer ride. The warranty and features are UNBEATABLE for the cost. I am so pleased I was able to get all the features of a luxury car for so much less! I bought my new Sonata through Costco and got a great price.

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  Great car! Cool love it! - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ohiobob - December 8 - 8:06 am

  I love this car! I looked around didnt like competitors styling. This Car is great deal. I get looks by people in High End cars. Upgrade your stereo speakers and this is great car. Mine gets great mileage. Its good value! its not for everyone! But its great deal. I removed the "h" on the lids. And painted the "H" on the wheel caps black And it really looksa great now. Its a Super Super Car!

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  My Second Elantra - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By golfergod - December 7 - 8:00 pm

  My first Elantra was a 97 which I bought new in Michigan. I drove it for 8 years and spent less than 600 dollars for repairs during the 8 years. When it came time for a new car to drive around town I chose another Elantra. No one sells a better car for the price. I sold my old car to a neighbor who could not be more pleased (neither could his 16 year old daughter who drives it.) The car is loaded with premium features for a bargain price. It is comfortable, reliable, and economical. What more could you possibly ask from a car which cost under $12,000 including tax and delivery? I could use a CD player instead of the standard tape player but for 200 bucks that was easy to fix.

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  Great car for the money - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By Allanj60 - December 6 - 10:45 pm

  Great!

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  PRETTY DAMN GOOD - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By WALTER66 - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I MUST SAY, FOR THE MONEY. THIS VEHICLE HAS TREATED ME QUITE WELL. WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. ITS FUN TO DRIVE AND GREAT ON GAS. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER.

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  The Best Car I Ever Owned - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By Roger Barwise - December 5 - 3:09 am

  Dont be put off by age or styling but pay attention to the way the car has been cared for and maintained. I bought this car in 2013 and its a 1999. I paid $2500 for it here in Korea where Im living now. It was in mint condition and needed nothing. In the 2 1/2 years in which I have driven this wonderful car daily it has performed like a champ. Its only a 4-banger and I left a Ford Taurus V-6 24-valve OHC in LA before moving to Korea and I like this car better. It is so comfortable and gets great mileage. The 4-cylinder 16-Valve OHC engine really does perform. I can cruise at 160 Km/Hr all day long if need be. I have only had one problem in all the miles that I have put on this car: it needed a new head gasket (a relatively cheap job in Korea). After that all has been fine. The car had 90,000 Kilometers on it when I bought it and, despite the high mileage, I have never had a more comfortable or reliable car. I love this car and, after all these years, it still looks mint. One thing I particularly like is the cloth seats and cozy, comfortable interior. The air conditioner is powerful and cold and the heater will burn your ears off in the winter. I drive hard and fast and this car cooperates wonderfully with me. But one must maintain any car religiously with oil and filter changes and inspections. One of the virtues of this car is that it is long, wide and low with a low center of gravity and excellent road-holding qualities in curves and driving through the mountainous terrain of Korea. It hugs the road like nothing else Ive ever driven. It is, far and away, the best handling car I have ever owned --and at 65 years old--this is my 29th car! No kidding. Ive owned English, German, Swedish, American, and Japanese cars but this one does take the cake as the best overall, but I have always had a soft spot for well-performing 4-door sedans. I highly recommend this car to anyone and bear in mind Im still driving this 17-year-old car daily!

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  Great Buy - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By NDM - December 4 - 11:03 pm

  I was a little worried about buying a Hyundai, especially their cheapest model. My wife and I have always purchased Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. However, we needed a second vehicle, and we did not see the need nor purpose of spending major money on a second car. The Accent was just right. I truly recommend this car to anyone. Hyundai has really come a long way!!!