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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  Eye-catching Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rhapsodist - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a Silver Sonata LX (with ABS/Trac, Moonroof) for about 3 months with not a single problem. So far the car is very dependable and with the 5- years/60K bumper-to-bumper warranty, Im not much worried either. The looks of Sonata with the extraordinary warranty were the key factors for me to buy this car. The exterior styling of Sonata is marvelous. Sonatas styling is the hybrid of Mercedes C-class and Jaguar. The price for this car is several thousand less than its competitors, and I personally think that Sonata is the most appealing car in mid-size car category.

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  Very Pleasantly Surprised... - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By NigelLasVegas - February 10 - 10:00 am

  We just traded in our 1994 BMW 740iL, which was nothing but a huge headache. This was my wifes idea and I was a little sceptical to say the least, but as soon as I actually got in it and drove it I was very surprised. It drives great...really great. We got the black on black with tinted windows and it sure does not look like a Korean import for under $26k. The performance is excellent, the leather seats are comfortable, and the road handeling is very good also. Go buy it!

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  Smooth, Sleek SUV - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Connie K Grove - February 9 - 3:30 pm

  I have had my Sante Fe for 6 months and feel that the vehicle is a very sound and solid SUV. It handles great, rides very smooth and for a 6 cylinder, has a lot of pep. I feel safe driving it. We have a lot of winds that are very strong and the vehicle never swayed once. The interior is put together nicely, very roomy. All in all, I would buy another Sante Fe when I am ready to trade it in. A very pleased consumer.

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  works for me!! - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By hyundai owner - February 8 - 11:47 am

  cheap reliable transportation without alot of unneeded extras. traded a 2015 mazda 6 for this, had some doubts but quickly overcame that problem. now onto the details. PROS: -sips gas with it 6 speed automatic,(7speed is also available on other models) which so far, i am getting nearly 35 mpg (A/C OFF) in the city. the transmission has 3 settings, standard ECO, and SPORT. ECO is what is getting the better mileage so far. -the ride is firm but not uncomfortable for what you are paying for. road noise is a bit of an issue on rough surfaces, otherwise things are pretty decent. -the interior is well appointed and this model has the basic package with a hands free phone radio. seating is comfortable and will not have your bum feeling like you sat on bricks for a week. -engine noise at idle is nearly inaudible, the small but capable 2.0 litre packs a punch and gets the job done but keep in mind it is a basic engine and you will not be winning lemans with it. CONS: -rudimentary audio system, seems that 80% of the radios sounds are through the front door mounted speakers and this is very obvious. i am not sure if this is normal or is the radio broken? i have a ticket open with dealership to get this addressed. -lack of disc brakes on ALL wheels. you get a sudden quick sinking to the rear when you let off the brakes. could this be due to the drums?? not sure... Now i wish hyundai would get with the program and offer standard discs all around on ALL MODELS and stop with 1930s technology. we pay alot for our hyundai why skimp on what matters?? -i mentioned road noise above in pros it is tolerable but on unmilled surfaces this gets annoying quickly. -the use of cheap parts in engine. i have discovered a felt formed hose is used in the air intake side vs. the normal rubber tubing we have come accustomed to over many years. wonder what that will cost when it goes? can you say warranty?? SUMMARY: the 2018 elantra SE is a good back and forth car for daily commutes. with hyundais unbeatable 10/100,000 mile powertrain warranty you can not go wrong here. reliable to no end indeed. the vehicle is probably ok for a few short trips or quick escape for a weekend. if you are driving 2 hours or less. for first time financers this would be my choice, as well for young couples minus any children. OVERALL: hyundai wants too much money for what you are getting. this model of trim and appointments will lead to some disappointments, and quickly. the car has drum brakes in the rear and this should be discs. audio system is far reaching and left wanting. comfort is in reach but not what i would use for vacation. the price should be much lower on this model starting in mid $17,500.00 and NOT $20,800+ range. sorry hyundai but you overpriced this way too much.

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  Great Buy - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Olliehouston - February 6 - 5:30 am

  After months of online research, I finally went out and bought a 07 SF 2.7 GLS today. While most of the reviews I read were no doubt written by genuine owners, some I feel might be written by some with hidden malicious intents. I carefully examined some purpported issues forwarned, most turned out to be unfounded. I owned a 2001 CRV; my wife has a 2004 CRV, these cannot compare with the quality, ride, value and amenity of the SF. I cannot be happier with my new acquisition.

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  Hyundai Elantra Eco 2017 - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Maureen Barth - February 5 - 5:13 pm

  Awesome, reliable, and dependable vehicle

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  2 month update - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Joe - February 4 - 2:06 pm

  Gas Mileage: 29.5 Flat highways with air on at 75 mph. Mountains: 28.3 mpg with air at 70 mph through the mountains of West Virginia. I measure city mileage by "operating time" because mpg does not work in the city - some cities have more lights and traffic than others. My City Operating time is now 11 hours on a full tank of gas. The Azera performs so well through the mountains and downshifting going up hills was rare. The ride was incredibly smooth. The air quality control system picks up quickly on bad exhaust and immediately turns off outside air.

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  Great little car - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Suzy O - February 4 - 1:36 pm

  Bought this car a little over 3 months ago. It replaced a Honda CR-V. I have nothing but good things to say about this car. Size wise it feels much larger then the CR-V, and much more comfortable for long rides. As far as style goes this car looks better and compares to some of the "high-end" types. I have people continually asking me "what kind of car is that?" The ride is smooth and the handling is very good. I like the options that come standard with the car (many of which are not in others). Overall the car is small and compact on the outside, but large and very comfortable on the inside. It gets decent gas mileage, and has plenty of "get up and go".

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  Elantra GT Wow!!! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By exixx - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I am amazed at this car for the money!! I got it for very close to the TMV and have not been able to find anything wrong with it yet!

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  125,000+ miles and still going strong! - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Rick - February 3 - 1:29 am

  I bought this car new as a commuter car in 2005. Paid $7750 and I was hoping it would last until I retired. It did -- plus another 10 years, and still going strong. It is a "basic" car, a cassette deck, a small back seat, small wheels and a few other disadvantages, but hey, a "simple" car is what I wanted! In 11 years it has had exactly TWO non-maintenance service calls. One was the previous mechanics fault and the other was a "check engine light" which resulted in a minor adjustment. Thats ALL! I listed the MPG as "35" but, on the highway, the mileage has flirted with 40! It has plenty of pep on the road, too. I got through college on VW Bugs and this is the modern equivalent. Not fancy, but this car has been extremely reliable and I almost consider it a member of the family!!