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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  Consumers Choice - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Baltimore Jeff - April 8 - 4:52 pm

  I did loads of research before buying this car as a cheap, reliable commuter. Looked at Civic, Corolla and other imports. For the money, I could buy new with a better warranty and more features with the Elantra than I could ever get with any of the others. GT 5spd hatchback with all the options. With the backseat down I can fit in a loveseat with the hatchclosed. I used this car as an installer for interior window treatments. I once got 32 boxed 2" wood blinds into the back with the hatch down. Could not believe it! I am 63" 255lbs and I have no problem getting in and out, or with an adult sitting behind me when I drive. The size of this car is deceptive. So far, very happy!

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  New Hundee owner - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata - April 8 - 7:13 am

  Previous Altima owner looking for similar size vehicle with same engine (2.4L)size. Liked the Sonatas styling and warranty; decided to buy since the price was right and so far so good. Satified with its roominess and engine response and smooth ride. Satisfied owner.

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  We love our new Sonata Hybrid - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Hal Baumbaach - April 8 - 4:59 am

  After telling people for the last 4 years how we loved our two Priuses, we were shocked while driving a Sonata at the dealership. We went to look at the Sonatas because they are beautiful cars and came away totally amazed at all of the features, the comfort, and the quiet of the Sonata. Prius is not even in the same ballpark as Sonata. I call our Sonata "our economy luxury car." We only paid an extra $1,000 more than the last Prius we bought, a 2014, and the Sonata feels like it is worth at least $10,000 more in features, beauty, quiet, safe, comfortable ride. I cant tell you how often my wife and I discuss how much we love our new Sonata. We bought the $35,000 Hybrid Limited loaded with all the features for $29,000 about 3 months ago and are getting over 40 mpg which is about 5 mpg less than our Prius was getting.

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  Oh my God I love it - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joann - April 8 - 12:09 am

  I love it... It rides like a dream, so smooth a ride. I enjoyed driving so much I even took a day off from work just to drive it around. It looks like such an expensive car but is so affordable.

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  excited - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By sonia adams - April 7 - 7:43 pm

  My husband bought me this car for my birthday and now he wants to buy him one. We own several cars but I have to say this is the best looking car we have driven. I traded in my 300 for the technology packet. I test drove a Benz, infiniti and several others this car beat them all. Dont let the name Hyundai fool you will love this car

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  Luv my Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jerry - April 7 - 4:33 pm

  OK, I only have the Sonata a couple of weeks but I am very very happy with the car. The power is impressive for a four cylinder and the gas mileage is great, avg 29 MPG all around. That avg is highway and city combined. It has a classy interior that is well layed out and very comfortable. I bought the Sonata to replace an Elantra, 77K miles, that I gave to my son. He needed a car. This is my seventh Hyundai. I traded a Land Rover for a Santa Fe, which I still own. I made a great trade. To date Ive had no issues with any of my Hyundai. I plan to look at the new Genesis Coupe when it hits the showroom floor. I got the Sonata at an I cant pass it up deal, $12400 for the GLS automatic.

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  Good for a while... - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By Abner11 - April 7 - 4:08 pm

  Bought the car used in January 2003 with 36,750 for mileage. Had no problems at all for the first year - plus, and I drive A LOT. In August 2004 I had to replace the pulse generator and oil temperature sensor because the check engine light was coming on and the car was racing a little bit off the line. Cost about $400 at the dealership. Then came Christmas 2004 and all hell broke loose. Brought it to the dealer because A) the engine started racing again and B) the exhaust was awfully throaty. Dealership told me I needed a new transmission, a new front pipe and a new manifold because the existing exhaust pieces were rusted. Also, oil pan rusted through and let go, and head gasket blew.

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  owner - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By wesley mooney - April 7 - 11:50 am

  love the car, it is extremely comfortable, and a very quiet ride. Good on gas,

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  Good car but not a great one - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Luigi - April 7 - 2:03 am

  The interior comfort and the ride is very good for a low priced mid-size Crossover/SUV. Ample power. Good traction. Decent cargo space, although the rear seat fold-down configuration is burdensome compared to other makes. Reliability is fair. I had to replace parts on this car that I never had to replace on any of my Nissan vehicles (Ive had 9 of them!). And my dealers service is mediocre compared to Nissan. There really is a difference in quality, and I think Nissan is worth the extra money. Considering a Rogue, Murano, or Mazda CX7 when I replace this Santa Fe.

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  Worst car I ever owned! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By retwmt - April 6 - 2:44 pm

  I have owned many cars and this one by far is the worst. Its bad on gas, burns oil and the steering is seriously messed up. I keep hearing how this manufacturer has come a long way, which makes me question how thats being measured. I Returned the first week of owning it. If you never driven any other car in the past 20 years this might be the car for you.