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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  AWD Genesis Ultimate - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By Chris - May 15 - 10:48 pm

  I am a third time Hyundai owner (2012 Genesis 4.6, 2014 Equus Ultimate) and now 2016 AWD Genesis Ultimate. First Genesis was great, no issues, put 80k miles on it, Equus had some issues so traded in for the Genesis Ultimate. Bought white with black interior, windows tinted, car really looks hot. For the price after discounts, a compatible BMW 535 was $20k more, Lexus GS350 was $10k more; overall the Genesis has more features and drives similar to the others. Love the fact we may have CarPlay added and all of the toys are top notch. Starting car with the Apple Watch is fun and now you can turn off car as well with the app. Treated by dealership very well and they have always had nice loaners for me. Equus was a lot of fun, kids loved the TVs in back and the reclining sets, but mostly I am on the road for business so I find the drivability of the Genesis much sportier.

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  Engin starting is not properly working. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By SK Joo - May 15 - 4:50 pm

  I purchased the brand new sonata 2009 model GLS on march 2009. Current total mileage is 3545 mile. But I found the critical issue which is related to engine starting. Since we bought we had met several time "Engine starting is not properly working" Symptom: When it comes to not engine staring well, Accelerator, brake pedal is on stuck, and all electric power down include radio & clock memory was disorganized. I think the key- holder or electric system is something wrong. To be honest, I dont want to recommend this model to other person until US made Sonata include parts quality proved.

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  Fun, Stylish, Righ Price - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By SethB - May 15 - 4:16 am

  Traded in a 2004 Maxima for the new Tucson. Quite peppy for a 4-cylinder. Nice and quiet on the highway. Getting right about 25mpg with mixed driving in an AWD is outstanding! I can see with every rear-view mirror just fine. Actually turning my head to check traffic does produce some significant blind spots but managable with mirrors. Bluetooth and stereo controls are awesome but the iPod interface is a tad wonky, but works well when you get the hang of it. The horn belongs on a tiny pink plastic Barbie car. The leather interior is top notch and very comfortable. The cup holders are a bit large for most of the drinks I get but nothing sloshes around. I am extremely satisfied with this car!

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  New 2012 Santa Fe - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By 2012nomore - May 14 - 6:45 pm

  Purchased this car new & do not like it. Seems to hesitate while accellerating. At a stop light,stop sign, or going slow when you press the accelerater the car hesitates and takes a second to finally go. Cannot make any fast decisions. Tried to go into traffice from a stop sign quickly,car hesitated & I almost go into a accident. Makes you drive completely different from the way you normally drive. Does not happen every time,but 2-3 times a day. Took car back to the dealer,they test drove,pulled the computer results,said all looks fine. Was told the computer controls the accelerator & it takes a while for the accelerator to go to the computer then back to the accelerator.Trying to unload it

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  Excuse my language - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Victor Tom - May 14 - 7:39 am

  Manual sucks------index is limited.

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  Love It! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By sassy - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I did extensive research before test driving the Sante Fe. I was impressed with the above average scores in every category by Consumer Reports. I fell in love after driving it! It is so comfortable, quiet, smooth, great turning radius, and roomy. It is also so much easier for me to get my kids in and out than it was in my Jeep.

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  GREAT CAR - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By RICH RENNIE - May 14 - 2:00 am

  CAR OVERALL IS GREAT.STYLING IS GOOD,BUT THE REAR OF THE CAR IS LACKING IN MATCHING THE STYLE OF THE FRONT END.

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  02 XG350 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Pudgey - May 14 - 2:00 am

  VERY pleased with this car. Ive owned a Mercury Sable, Chrylser Cirrus, Chrysler New Yorker, Honda Accord, and a Benz. This is the best of the lot. Ample power, surprizing pick-up (lots of low-end torque), all the amenities. Roomy cabin. Very comfortable for short hops or long trips with dual power adjustable front seats. Heated seats are nice in winter. Was never a fan of moonroofs before, but Im a convert now. Decent enough stereo. 8-CD changer in the trunk is a nice touch, too. No difficulties or problems of any kind in 18 months and almost 20,000 miles.

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  Great car to drive - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By o0O0oecho0O0o - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Tiburon eleven months ago and have already put 19000 miles on it. Its a lot of fun to drive, and I havent have any mechanical problems. There was a recall on the rear brake tubing but the newly produced ones havent been affected. The car is perfect for someone on the shorter side, like myself, but if youre over 510" its probably not a good idea. My 6 boyfriend has trouble seeing under the headliner, and there is not a lot of head room, or leg space on the passenger side. Overall, if you want a small car with lots of style and great reliability, the tiburon is a great choice.

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  great car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By greg020594 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful car for the family, roomy and stylish. This car has a lot of get up and go to it. Would recommend this car to anyone who is economy minded.