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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  My 2nd Elantra and still loving it - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Doug N. - February 17 - 5:42 pm

  I bought my first Elantra back in 2013. The GT hatchback automatic. After 3 years and 80K miles I thought Id trade it in while still under warranty to get a better deal. And I certainly did. My new SE with Popular Equip Pkg listed for $20, 550. I paid $16, 885. WOW! They allowed me $8350 for my GT and threw in a spare tire kit and mud guards too. It was so cheap I paid cash...lol. No payments. Yippee! Its silver with grey cloth and has the auto dimming mirror with homelink and compass. The only thing I miss is no heated seats which the GT had. The gas mileage is averaging 36.5 with mostly highway driving in heavy rush hr traffic. Acceleration is decent. The Hankook tires are great. Sure glad I got the 16 because the new 17 is kinda boring looking and many of the great standard features are gone unless you really add on pkg after pkg.

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  My Mid-Life Crisis Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By ALM - February 16 - 7:50 pm

  Im a busy Mom with 3 kids who didnt want to get another minivan, but really needed the space a van offers. Along comes Hyundai to the rescue with the 2011 Sonata! Looks like a sports car (got the SE) and has the space to haul hockey gear, coffin case guitar and leg room for growing boys. Fast pick-up, quiet ride & awesome safety ratings (a big concern for a Mom who anticipates all 3 kids will learn to drive on this).

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  GT is the way to go - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Cryscokid - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent car for little money! The best part is that all the features I love are STANDARD Equipped. Try and find that in a Honda or Toyota. Big bang for the buck and it will get you around in style. Paid under edmunds price even after my trade! Solid Gold!

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  2008 Hyundai Santa Fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Robert Willis - February 15 - 12:36 am

  This is my third Hyundai Santa Fe and each version gets better than the last. Overall fit and finish was excellent. Smooth Ride and OK gas mileage so far.

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  Best Hyundai Ever - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Asmith - February 14 - 3:23 pm

  This vehicle combines the best features of all of its competitors into one smart affordable package. The Santa Fe doesnt necessarily excel in any single category but the sum of all the parts beats most every competitor. When you factor in the price it is clearly the top of the small SUV category and even competes with mid- size offerings. I would say the only drawback would be the fuel economy.

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  Amazing value in a car! - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Adam Arcadipane - February 13 - 6:57 am

  This car is quiet, nimble, conservative yet athletic in its styling, intuitive and perhaps better in fuel economy than its ratings suggest. The overall fit and finish feels expensive and there is a feeling of safety and reliability conveyed. I have the base Limited PZEV model (NY). If I wanted to hire lease payment there was an additional technology package in ultimate package that would have taken this vehicle over the top for me. But hey, we all have a budget. The ride was second to none when compared with others in its segment and despite the slightly dated torsion beam suspension in the rear rather than newer multi-link suspension technology, this car floats! Lets not forget as well that even though this car competes in the compact segment, the 2017 Elantra qualifies as a midsize sedan based on its interior space. Engine pickup is actually not disappointing and feels appropriate for this segment. Want more zing? Pop it in sport mode and youve got more than enough power to giddyup. The steering also tightens in this mode for a better feel around corners at higher speeds. The Limited trim was my favorite by far and dressed out the car quite nicely. Gotta love the 17 in. "Ninja wheels," as I like to call them. The SE trim, however was unexciting and the wheels just didnt do it for me. A disappointment in the Limited model came when discovering that the moon roof did not come standard as in even the second tier trims of the all new Civic. Hyundai promised new trims will be available later. The Hyundai entertainment system lacks text messaging, which can be frustrating, but all models of this year offer Android Auto and Apple Car Play. (be sure to close apps youre not using or it will be slow). Support for Android Auto was was actually high on my list when shopping to replace my 2013 Corolla. Hyundai blue link allows you to start with climate control, unlock, lock, toggle horn and lights and more with its connected package, which is free for a year and the remote package, which is $75 your first year and 99 after that. Hyundai blue Link app also supports smart watches. These are great features but it is disappointing that there is no remote start on the key fob itself and it is only available through blue link or having an optional remote start added requiring a second key fob. Theres also no option to just purchase the package you must have connected package (roadaide assistance, SOS etc.) which is another hundred dollars if you desire the remote package. Want OnStar-like navigation and support? Throw another "hundy" at Hyundai. As far as convenience goes, when approaching the car if it has been locked, the door handles light up, assisting you with getting into your car without damaging it and giving the driver a feel that the car knows him or her. Also, there is a smart trunk which opens when the driver stands behind the trunk with the key fob for more than four seconds with the doors locked. Very very handy! Is it the most full-featured, bells and whistles car out there? Well...no, but it sure does compete and offer amazing value and quality. Every car has pros and cons and there is a very high probability that this car has just the pros youre looking for.

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  Its all true better than written - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By John - February 12 - 8:40 am

  Only have had for a month but its as good as advertised great fit, finish,interior is flawless,great power,great dash access,cant find a flaw,have driven Mercedes the past 10 years the Azera is a better car the long term will tell but I dont expect anything but great preformance for the future.

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  So far so good - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By aries21 - February 11 - 1:29 am

  I purchased my 2011 2.0 Turbo SE March 1st and I all ready have 1600 miles so that must tell you I love driving the car. I was experiencing the pulling to the left and i brought it back and they said that hyundai was aware of the problem and they were waiting for a computer update for the steering. So I called the consumer care to verify this and what great service they took my name and serial number of the car called the dealer ship where we bought it and they said to make an appoinment. Then I got a call from Paul who is the regional service manager from Hyundai from New Jersey he said that they changed the specifications and it was fixed and no more pull.

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  after driving BMW for five years - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By pedro fonseca - February 10 - 8:56 pm

  it cost me 20,000 less thank my last BMW (330 convertible 2002) and have more option that my last car, I drive 524 miles in the week end and get 24 miles per gallon (regular) good stability in curves not as good as BMW, all accesories are very easy to use, interior is perfect, enough room for five, aotomatic air condition excelent I rate 10

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  I love my Tib! - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Princess B. - February 10 - 3:20 pm

  Ive owned a Ford Mustang LX 5.0 & an Acura Integra GS-R in the past, & this car is just as fun & handles just as well. It could use more pick up/power, but thats my fault for not spending the extra $ to buy the V6. Too bad I had such a horrible experience w/the Hyundai dealer not honoring the lemon law on a used Acura Integra LS they sold me before I bought the Tib.