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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  like it more with every drive - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By peacepad - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I researched and test drove many suvs that compare with Santa Fe. More bang for your buck and a solid vehicle to drive. Handles great, rides great, low noise level,and comfortable too.It fits like a glove. The transmition is aimed at smooth,quiet shifting, sometimes giving the impression that acceleration is a little less than peppy.It is there when you need it, especially when your already up to speed. There is really nothing I do not like about the Santa Fe. Only wish I would have got one with sunroof and built in DVD player.

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  After a half dozen Hondas... - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ralph Stein - June 11 - 8:16 am

  I didnt think Id buy anything but a Honda again. A looming bill for an expensive selective college for my teen made me rethink the equation. So I test drove a Hyundai. It felt like a Honda, had a comfortable interior (Im 62") and for a little over 16G I got the most feature-loaded car Ive ever had. The sales experience was also the most low pressured ever and after two months of driving this car Im thrilled with it. Will probably upgrade to another Hyundai - in four years.

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  Great, Inexpensive, Car! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Zach - June 10 - 11:13 pm

  We looked at the Toyota Rav4, GMC Envoy, and Honda Pilot, and this is the best of all of those. There are so many thoughtful features in it that Ive been discovering for the past 2 weeks. It has lighted cup holders when your head lights are on, a gasoline sensor so the air in the cabin doesnt have gas in it, and the Mp3 capibilities. The ride is a bit rough, but the leather seats comphensate for that. Getting leather at 26,400$ is a great buy! The wheels may cost a lot of money to replace though. This Santa Fe blows its older model away with better looks, better interior, and better fit and finish. (One word of caution: The limited AWD w/ 5 seats only is very rare, so look around)

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  Good buy for the money! - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jake Tayler - June 10 - 8:38 pm

  This is my first brand new car to purchase. I may be a little biased due to the fact this was the first car that I looked at, first dealership that I went to, and I ended up buying the car. I have put 1600 miles on the car so far in the month I have owned it ( I know, my girlfriend loves it and always wants to drive it). The car has been great so far, it feels nice on the road, when i get on the highway going at a fast speed the tires grab the road very well when sliding, if i hit a bump i never feel like my tires arent in contact with the road, I know this has to do with the traction control the car has. Once you get on the road or highway the drive is nice, its a little noisy but nothing you cant get used to, the stock radio/cd/xmsiruis rado is delightful. I got the base model SE which my only upgrades are rubber mats (highly recommend) and the auto-dimming mirror/compass. You can hear road noise but its not overwhelming, I dont expect silence when I drive anyways, its really not safe when driving long distances and with this car you will get amazing gas mileage doing that. I have been getting around 38 MPG although I drive a lot of highway, once you put on the Active ECO you can get higher, my highest yet is 40 MPG. My only gripe with the model I got is there isnt automatic headlights and I would have liked the window lock button to light up the same way that the other window buttons on the driver side light up. The car drives great though even with a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine, the transmission shifts very smooth and I never have a problem merging with traffic or accelerating to make a lane change. The body of the car is very sexy. I chose the black version and with tinted windows its a very good looking car. If you are looking for a reliable car with a 100,000 mile power train warranty and a 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty that will definitely last the length of your car loan, this is a great choice.

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  Great Car - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By gorpot - June 9 - 5:42 pm

  Bought at end of August 2011. Have 10,000 miles on it now, No problems yet. Love the exterior design. Interior design is very nice. When the weather was still warm I was getting 37 MPG on the highway, and 27 MPG around town. As all cars do,the MPG have dropped off in the cold weather. One of the best new cars I have ever bought. Just wish I knew where the dip stick is located to check the automatic transmission fluid was located.

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  Seven series killer - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By James - June 8 - 4:06 am

  Believe it or not I once believed that Hyundai was an inferior brand, after buying my Genesis And driving the car for the last week I must say that anyone in the large performance Luxury Market would be foolish not to buy this car every aspect of this automobile screams Luxury From the twelve way power seat to the throaty almost three hundred Horsepower v-6 I have owned a diverse selection of luxury cars and I have to say I have never been more impressed with a vehicle. I am also surprised how many people break their neck looking at the car If you are considering a new Luxury car drive all others first and then drive the Genesis. better yet just drive it first then take it home

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  Fun car to drive - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By duey65 - June 7 - 10:08 pm

  I bought a 2012 2.0T limited after two months of reviewing and many test drives. The Sonata in my opinion is the best car in its class for value. I love driving this car although the ride is a bit harsh. (stiff suspension and low profile tires). Its quiet and comfortable on the highway and the heated leather is nice on a cold Minnesota morning. The one thing I am concerned with is the mileage. The car has 1500 miles on it now and my mileage has been getting progressively worse. I started with 29 mpg combined and I am now down to 21mpg combined. I Drive 104 miles a day round trip to work and I have had to go back to driving my Saturn which gets 40+. Love my Sonata but cant afford the gas.

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  very well done i am very happy - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By joe - June 7 - 3:50 pm

  I am very pleased with the limited v6 the handling is very good hyundai did a excellent job with the 09 sonta limited those that have the models that are under the limited should have test drove the limited you would have been sold on it this car is very well put together with a very good ride and excellent gas mileage i am a premium gas man and my mileage is 32 on the hwy nothing to complain about this excellent car

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  Excellent Value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cirdan - June 6 - 11:40 pm

  Traded in a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer for a V6 GLS. After 15 years of SUVs and pickup trucks, the Sonata handles like a Porsche (okay, not really). Still, the handling is crisp and the V6 winds up nicely. I drive in the Mountains a lot, and this car moves right along on steep twisting roads. Mileage (25mpg for first 1k miles) good for a V6. Bottom line - this is a VALUE purchase. There are better cars available, but not even close to this price. At some point, the Honda/Toyota brand just isnt worth it.

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  Great Car - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By jtrager3414 - June 6 - 2:11 pm

  I just purhased a 2012 Sonata Limited 2.0T with the navigation option, and it is a great car. I replaced my 2003 Honda Accord V6 with only 31,500 miles on it (also a great car). The new Sonata is fun to drive, with excellent build quality. The interior is very nice. The Sonata shifts just as smoothly as my V6 Accord, and has many options that the Accord didnt have (but then it is 8 years older). Its 2.0L Turbo engine produces 274HP with 268 lb-ft of torque from 1750 - 4500rpm. The 2011 BMW 535 Twinpower engine is only good for 300HP, and it is a 3.0L engine? Something doesnt seem right there! Perhaps it isnt a twin-scroll turbo, and is loosing power at the interface to turbo?