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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  winter done review time - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By mark - February 21 - 8:53 pm

  Well, heres my third review of the touring. Made it through another CT. winter. So how was the car in the snow??? With the Hankook tires on car they were ok. Snows really should be used for greater traction. Anti-lock brakes work great. Kind of scared me when they came on, a little loud. All options worked well. So far after 10500 miles I get 33 mpg. city... 40 highway. No rattles or defects as of yet. Had to change cabin air filter not to bad, but you must be careful when removing side tabs...sidearm support easy to detach. Air filter hard to get out. MUST use a screw driver tip to catch edge of filter to get it out. took 20 min. first time. Will go faster next year.

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  My wife loves this car! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Scott P - February 21 - 5:46 pm

  My wife loves this car! I like it myself. It is sound, comfortable and even the 4cyl. engine has a decent amount of get up and go. Everything inside is at the drivers fingertips.

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  Santa Fe, Best Choice by far for us. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By davidc5 - February 21 - 10:46 am

  Previously owned a Subaru Outback, then Mazda Tribute. Test drove Toyota RAV, Highlander, Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-7 and 9. The Santa Fe was by far the best vehicle for us and best value. Quiet comfortable cabin. Plenty of HP and smooth shifting. We were looking for a larger vehicle than the Tribute and though we would buy the Pilot but after comparing all, it was no contest, Santa Fe hands down. The size is right for us, the finish inside is outstanding with great controls, plenty of knee and leg room, firm but comfortable seats and a great driving position. Exterior styling has an "attitude." Getting 18 MPG around town and 23+ on a trip from Denver to Aspen and back.

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  Beware of 2013 Sonata remote starter kit defect - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By mdh2 - February 21 - 6:10 am

  Bought my car in May. Everything is excellent with the car EXCEPT OEM remote starter kit had major defect if installed in the 2013 Sonata. Purchased kit during sale. Needed to wait 4-6 weeks before 2013 kits were available. When it was available, Hyundai dealership installed it but it failed (i.e., would actually turn engine off). Dealership informed me wiring instructions were wrong from Hyundai. Dealership kept car for 2 weeks and couldnt figure out problem. Regional technician came in and also couldnt figure it out either. Dealership removed unit and returned car back to factory default. Finally got my money back.

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  Sante Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By plr518 - February 20 - 10:36 pm

  I like driving an suv that handles like a car. It is very roomy and easy to manuever. I wish the mileage was better. but overall, I am very pleased with my Sante Fe and would definitely purchase another when the time comes

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  Big value for minimal money - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Seth-in-Chicago - February 19 - 4:56 pm

  I purchased a 2005 GLS SV on 2/19/05. Same car as the LX sans leather seats and power driving seat. Everything else upgraded. Wow!....what a value...I financed $16K for a new vehicle. Give Camry and Accord a run for their money on all aspects and certainly beats them in value for the money. Resale is not as important to me as I will drive this for several years. I will be selling my 95 Accent @ 81k miles....too bad...its been flawless and gives me 35 MPG. Hyundai, you have a life-long new customer. Job well done.

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  Decent Wheels - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Frank - February 19 - 3:02 pm

  Really wanted the Elantra GLS, but this was a decent trade-off. It is an enjoyable drive, though I havent taken an extended trip in it yet. Im hoping to get one or two in soon to see if I can get some decent mileage. That is my biggest complaint to date - barely getting over 20 mpg. Second least favorite fact - lack of lighting on the ignition switch makes it hard to find at night. Third least favorite fact - the in-curving lines on the hood do not provide a good visual clue to how straight I am parking the car. It would be nice if the foglights could be used as daytime running lights.

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  Discouraged in NJ - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Discouraged in NJ - February 19 - 10:50 am

  Having many troubles with the Check Engine light. Local dealer tried 2 times telling me the gas cap was not clicked closed 3 turns. On 3rd visit they found problem with a sensor. Said they fixed. Problem continues today, one year later. Just Failed NJ state inspection for Emissions. Love the look and comfort but Hate the hassels and under the hood problems.

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  Great alternative to camry - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By carguy150 - February 19 - 10:40 am

  Traded my 2003 Camry SE, this car is great the fuel economy is great Im getting mid to low 30s. The interior layout is great everything you need is at the tip of your fingers on the steering wheel. Power is good for a four banger. I have owned this car for 3 months and have a little over 4000 miles. Im hoping I have the same luck I had out of my 03 camry not a problem one. I keep my cars 8+ years. The one complaint I would have is the drivers seat is a little uncomfortable at first but the lumbar support helped greatly. At this point Id recommend this car to anyone looking for a family sedan. If youd asked me years ago Id never thought about buying a Hyundai, build quality is great.

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  My little car - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Steve Williamson - February 19 - 10:28 am

  I have no regrets in the purchase of my Accent. It is not a luxury car but it is economical, reliable and I enjoy driving it. I get on average 38 MPG but I have had 44 MPG. For a small car it is amazing how much you can pack inside. With it being a hatchback, the trunk storage is very spacious for the size car. The main thing I dislike about the cars interior is the fact it has no interior armrest. This model didnt come with a clock on the dash either. In order to purchase the one that fits into the dash would have cost me around $200 which I thought was ridiculous. All in all, I love my little car. It provides me cheap reliable transportation. I enjoy the drive.