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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  Second Hyundai and Last - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Brownell - January 29 - 2:28 pm

  I love driving and allow drivers the right to drive the speed limit., Im almost 60, have owned many none luxury vehicles. I buy cars to drive and hope I have nothing but minor non performance issues. Nothing is absolutely perfect today or ever. But I would like a few basis, decent acceleration, comfortable highway ride, good braking, and reliable front alignment. My 2016 Tuscon ECO with 1.6L and 7 Speed transmission was absolutely great, except for 1st gear. The dual clutch transmission which did have a recall due to safety issues seldom responded the same way twice in a row, you never knew how it would respond. Some times like a bat out of hell, others like a deer caught in head lights. I didnt trust lending it to anyone a cared about, I owned it for 17 months, I learned how to drive it, I have owned a few vehicles with standard transmissions, its like driving a standard and no control of the clutch. I traded it in for a 2017 Sonata Sport 2.4L drove it 10 miles and discovered a issues talked about on-line for years. When vehicle is in gear stopped at red light, there is a vibration felt in drivers seat. Open the hood of the engine, place your hand on the plastic cowling covering the engine and you will immediately know where its coming from. Its not just your car, try telling your dealers sales manager that. Its seem like denial rules over respect for owners experience and opinions are the acceptable norm for doing business today. Most of us buy cars to enjoy, not to be a critic, since most of us are not paid to criticize or endorse. We just want to think we made a good decision and can share it with friends and family who care. Its a 2017 Sonata Sport not a 2015.

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  GLS - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By jon singleton - January 29 - 11:17 am

  A great car for the $$$$. Interior is high quality. Nice quite ride. Gas milage could be better for the size of V-6. Overall great car and would recommend to anyone.

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  Everything but the dashboard lighting - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Edward Z Wronsky Jr - January 29 - 6:16 am

  I love this car, as I loved its predecessors. However, like my 2001 Elantra GT, the information from the onboard computer is virtually illegible during daytime operation. Its fine at night. It does help if I remove my polarized transitional glasses, but my basic feeling is that should not be necessary. My only other suggestion would be to add an exterior release to the hatch as on most hatchbacks. This year, HYUNDAI eliminated the wiper/washer for the rear window , an aesthetic improvement with minimal reduction in functionality. Perhaps the savings could have been used to add an exterior manual release for the hatch!

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  My Hyundai Nightmare - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ed K - January 29 - 2:46 am

  Ive owned 2 Santa Fes (2001 & 2004). Both had engine failures and had to have their small blocks replaced at around 60,000 miles. Both failed on the freeway. Both had all their regularly scheduled maintenance performed by the book. These 2 freeway failures placed me in very serious safety conditions. The 2004 failed at night in the middle of the Arizona Desert- I was driving at 70 mph when the engine lost power & made a terrible noise. I end up getting towed over 150 miles to Hyundai Dealer. Small block failed (60,068 miles – 68 miles past the warranty). Hyundai initially refused to pay for the repair; but, after a tremendous amount of effort on my part; they finally cover 30%

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  Worth The Money - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By tjandlaura - January 29 - 2:00 am

  So often we consumers dont get our moneys worth. You wont have to worry about that with the Hyundai Sonata GLS 2.7l. This is an excellent car for the money. The car offers many luxury features at a cost of an economy car. Dont forget the warranty!! If you are in the market, I urge you to shop around then look at the Hyundai! You will NOT be disappointed.

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  2000 tib - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jamesbe - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Well Ive had this car for 2 1/2 years now. It is still going good. Lots of rattles and problems with dealerships in Canada. Ive had a few problems with cracked door panels bad spark plugs and o2 sensors. But I havent had much mechanical problems. Squeaks and rattles a plenty, actually the car has squeaked from the second I drove it off the lot. It doesnt seem to like the cold of Canada though, the engine idles really rough, the brakes bong and clank and there is lots of squeak in the clutch in the cold. Eveything goes away in the summer months though. I wouldnt buy another one even after the mechanical stability as I find the fit and finish to be sub par.

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  2001 Elantra GT- Zoom Zoom Zoom - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By mitch rb - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Best bang for the buck! I do alot of traveling and the interior features are great. Good zip in 2nd-5th gears

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  Excellent Vehicle! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Ernest Rivers - January 28 - 10:10 pm

  Excellent vehicle! This vehicle has the feel, ride and quality of a luxury vehicle. I am extremely impressed with the handling and the driveability of the Entourage. Much more adertising needs to be done on this car! American made cars need to take a lesson in quality from Hyundai.

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  i love this suv - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Lori - January 28 - 8:03 pm

  its the best looking suv to me out there. i wish it was just a little more quiet when driving, but for the whole package for the price, i cant ask for anything else except for long reliability, which i hope and prays keep up for as long as i have this suv. but i love it all around, especially looks and price.

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  Quality & Good Price - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Marc T - January 28 - 2:12 pm

  If you are looking for a lot for your buck and for a very well built car, this is it! As a bonus, I find this cars look very classy it does not look cheap at all! Although if you are looking for a performance car, even with a V6, this car will disappoint you. I also find the suspension a bit stiff in town, but the driving comfort on the highway is excellent. This car has a very roomy interior without being a dinosaur. I for one appreciate the fact that it does not horn when the remote is used to unlock. It is more discreet and respectful of the environment and people. I hate noise pollution like car alarms and cell phones ringtones! Make your wallet happy, not your mechanic!