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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  Excelent - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By tomus - February 19 - 8:33 am

  Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla??? he, he, he If you want realy good car, only Elantra should be your choce for 13000$

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  Pleasantly surprised. - 2018 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brian McDonald - February 19 - 4:50 am

  This is my first Hyundai vehicle after much research and i am pleased with my purchase. There are great discounts on this model in my case 3k discount. I wanted a reliable comfortable car with decent room and great gas mileage. The Value Edition Elantra fit the bill. My test drive revealed an uncommonly quiet and smooth ride for the class. Im 6 ft tall and was able to easily find a comfortable driving position. Once warmed up engine was smooth and quiet for a four cylinder. The performance for me was more than satisfactory as im not heavy on the gas. If i wanted more performance i would have opted for the sport version but you also pay more for it in gas and insurance. The sport driving mode gives this car a decent amount of pep if you want it but you take a hit in gas mileage. Regular mode is just fine with me. Ive been averaging 34 mpg in mixed driving. I hit 41 mpg in just hwy driving at one point. In addition this car has a real spare tire, a hand brake as opposed to electronic , real knobs for tuning , volume and other functions! Apple car play works flawlessly as with Bluetooth and phone functions. The fit and finish are top notch. I am impressed with Hyundai and will likely buy another one fir my next vehicle.

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  Long-time Hyundai customer has a LEMON - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jon Thomas - February 19 - 3:33 am

  PLEASE be careful when purchasing this vehicle. I am a long-time Hyundai owner, previously owning a Sonata. I recently purchase a brand new 2007 Elantra. I have had nothing but problems with it since I bought it. A week after the purchase the transmission was acting up, jerking and stalling. The service department said it was a manufacturing defect in the seal. A week later now, STILL having major transmission problems, and still stalling. Also, the left turn signal wont cancel and the service department said it worked find. I am truly disappointed in this vehicle and regret buying another Hyundai.

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  100% Referral - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By EM - February 18 - 8:33 pm

  Excellent car and value overall! I reluctantly bought my 1st Hyundai based on a friends referral of the Santa Fe. Turned out to be the best and least- expensive auto I have ever owned. Now owned for 6 years without a SINGLE problem. Historically, I sold previous cars within 3-4 years because they were junk and everything would begin failing. Surprisingly, not so with my Santa Fe. I highly recommend this car and am on Edmunds looking at the new models.

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  Great Car, little money - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lee S - February 18 - 3:49 pm

  My wife and I bought an 04 Elanra VE as our first car. Weve had it 6 months so far and other then the radios clock being fast, weve had no problems. The exterior looks of this car are great we love the front end especially. The warranty (in Canada its 7 year powertrain/5 year new car) was one of the main factors for purchasing this car. Fuel economy is not great, its OK, but I find my 95 Saturn gets more fuel range, but I drive it more on the highway so it is hard to compare. The VE comes with air, power locks, windows, mirrors (heated), keyless entry. The handling has a good combination of smoothness over bumps and stiffness when cornering. The engine is powerful enough for our needs.

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  My First SUV - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Kathy - February 18 - 3:26 pm

  I purchased my Tuscon in November of 2005 and absolutely love it! I have always wanted an SUV and this fit my budget and the safety ratings sealed the deal. It was wonderful in the snow and ice this past winter and has driven beautifully on the beach this summer. I love the fold flat back seats and my kids like the fact that the back seats recline back a bit. I do wish it had better gas milage. It really only gets driven around town and the mileage is up to 17.5. Also, I find the center arm rest great for storage, my not so much for resting my arm! Needs to be higher and more forward. I would buy another SUV from Hyundai anytime :)

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  Looks like a lincoln LS from the back. - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By cancerman - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a Ford Taurus, the Hyundai is a bit smaller and a little more cramped, but a whole lot peppier and quiter. I wish at least the GLS and LX came with power seats, I miss this feature as my wife and I use the car and always adjusting mirors, seats ETC. Waa Waa no big deal We really love our Hyundai. Have 12000 miles on it and am taking it in for the first minor problem.

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  $ for $, Best Buy Out There - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By ChuckO - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have been extremely pleased with the reliability and versatility of this little car. Very tall friends fit comfortably in the front or rear seats; very long packages (9 feet) can be carried with the rear seats folded down. And its reasonably fun to drive. Its no Porsche, but for $13,500 out the door, I could buy five of these for one Porsche. On top of everything else, the dealership gave me ten free oil changes.

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  reliable - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By jlong - February 18 - 2:00 am

  a good solid reliable vehicle for a first time new car buyer

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  what a car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By bernard n.edwards - February 17 - 8:23 am

  I have had my new azera and I have to say hyundai has hit a home run. It has it all extreme luxury, high quality, excellent ride and superb handling, very agile, extremely quiet, 27 mpg, drop dead looks. I like the way it is hunkered down in the rear flanks, interior is gorgeous, love the florisant dash lights, what more could a normal person want. I feel like I have been reborn. This car is very competive in the 40,000 range. Thanks HYUNDAI