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:

• 

  Nice car - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Vlad - February 12 - 9:33 pm

  I really like it. Doing a lot of driving, find this car almost exactly what I need. Despite this is the basic model it has enough for every day extensive driving (sometimes 1000 Km a day). Extra hidden storage in the trunk is amazing! What was a nice surprise for me it ‘s a gas consumption! According to specifications vehicle with manual transmission consumes more gas then automatic. This is NOT TRUE! Manual is very economical and not just has more power, but takes LESS gas. I found the WORSE city driving (heavy traffic and ac constant use) 11L/100Km and 7.5L/100Km on Highway. Excellent on ice and snow and it is not an AWD. This the only SUV of this size and price range which is availa

• 

  The Begining - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By D - February 12 - 9:43 am

  I just purchased this (New) 2009 Hyundai, Santa Fe and thought I would rate it now, six months and then at the one year mark. I hope you will find it useful in selecting your next vehicle. I am not in any way associated with Hyundai, and no one in my family works for or has any association with Hyundai Inc. I know the site says don’t write about the purchasing, but that was one of the reasons why I selected this vehicle over its competitions. Its value and warrantee were huge draws. I actually selected my new SUV from the inventory online and set the price before I even went to the dealership. Even Taxes, Tags, Titling, Destination costs, everything! I said “I’ll pay this” they said "OK".

• 

  Tiburiburon - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By iridespinners - February 12 - 2:00 am

  never would have given Hyundai a second thought but the interior was great looking and compared to a Celica, it was like 5 grand cheaper and w/ a few more options. Warranty is the best and this car is super reliable. Common problems are headlight bulbs and wheel bearings which are covered in warranty. car is so customizable w/ aftermarket parts and I got SO many compliments from what I did to it. I made people w/ cars that cost so much more look like nothing. I am so pleased with Hyundai and their service and if they came out with a "real sports car" Id for surely buy it. I crashed my tib and truely miss it as do many people. Its truly one of a kind.

• 

  12,988 BRAND NEW!! A TOTAL STEAL - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By cardawg29 - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I drove every other car I could compare this to. Nothing even came close to the Elantra Gt. Car for the dollar, Hyundai has it won. what do I have to worry about??? Absolutely nothing, I have a 10 year 100k warranty on this bad boy!!

• 

  all the way with Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Andre Gascon - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I had a Tiburon 97, a Sonata 2000, an Elantra GT 2002, and now, since two months, an Elantra GT automatic 2004, the best of all Hyundai car that I have driven Why a Hyundai product totay? When I bought the Tiburon, it was because I was struck by the beauty of the car. But now I bought an Elantra GT 2004 because its again a very nice car, always a very reliable car, but mainly because its a car so fun to drive, and very generous in space for a guy of more thant six feet tall. Really Im proud of my Elantra GT 2004 red glaze. Finally, since more thant 8 years, I have always received a first class service from my Hyundai dealer

• 

  Love my Car - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jeff - February 11 - 8:03 pm

  The car has given me all that I asked for. Four adults sit in comfort. The AC and heat work well. The sound system could be better but all in all for the price you cant ask for more. I will buy it again and this is my third Sonata. I am looking forward to the body style change in 2006.

• 

  Sporty, Fun, Love it! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By TophNWHSU07 - February 11 - 5:50 pm

  Ive had my Tiburon for one month so far and absolutely love it! Looks awesome, great early acceleration, and the Infinity system is phenomenal! (If youre getting a GT, spend the extra $$$ and get the Sun and Sound Package, well worth it!)

• 

  Great value! - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By TCB - February 11 - 2:28 pm

  My first experience with a Hyundai. And over all,I have been impressed! I have the Sport model with Premium package. Coming from an Accord,I was a little skeptical. But I liked the styling and interior. Classy looking exterior. The interior,is very well laid out. Functional with easy to use controls. I love the digital odometer. The dual auto temp AC works great. The back up camera works very well,with a surprisingly clear picture. The radio and speakers are adequate.Quality look and feel to the materials. The leather Sport seats have cloth inserts,so you dont get burned in summer heat. I have a sensitive back,and with the side bolsters,and power adjustments,including lumbar,I am very comfortable. The car is very quiet. The engine is very smooth running. Transmission shifts are not felt. I do hear, a slight road coarness,from the performance tires. I have been surprised at how roomy the car is. It is EPA classified as a large car,with 122 cubic feet of interior space. That is the same as a Chrysler 300. Only without the bulky exterior. It has a big 16.3 cubic foot trunk. With a very large pass thru opening. Which comes in handy,when carrying a big item. And it has dual struts for the hood! A rarity in cars today.Only a few minor complaints. I am so far only getting 26 MPG in mixed driving,in the ECO mode. I am hoping that will improve,with a little more mileage.The cup holders,in the console,do not have a gripping device to hold the drink in place. And the cup holder in the doors,is only big enough for a slim bottle or can. They could have made the touch screen bigger than 5". I dont see why they did not include the data system in the radio. Overall for the money and long term warranty,you cant beat the 2015 Sonata.

• 

  I like it but I dont LOVE it! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By justcind - February 11 - 1:28 am

  I bought this car because I couldnt believe the features it had and the build quality for the price. Its cute like the Jag I wanted, 16" wheels contribute to a smooth quiet ride. I have 7500 miles in 4 months and no problems.

• 

  Smokin deal - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Miz - February 10 - 2:50 pm

  I purchased my Elantra new in April of 2000. I now have almost 80,000 miles on it and it has been fantastic. I still have the original brakes and have done very few repairs. The spark plugs and wires went bad twice and the right rear window is no longer working but that is it. I always runs, is fun to drive and has been very reliable. For the money (around $10k) I couldnt ask for more. Hyundai has really come a long way