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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  Champagne taste on a beer budget - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By a driver - December 20 - 4:46 am

  Being a car nut I could nit pick the car to pieces, but Id be comparing it to much more expensive automobiles. The only downside is the fuel mileage; if you drive it easy and use the cruise @ 72mph or less, it good to great. "Race car" it and youll be hard pressed to more than 350 mi/tankful. Now the good stuff: great acceleration, very comfortable, all the features youd want plus; except, NAV and Onstar. Excellent handling. Sound system rivals some of the best factory systems out there, PERIOD! Best thing is the car looks like a $375,000 Maybach 57 and nobody knows what youre driving; they just know they like it and you look like a genius for all the money you saved.

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  Love This Car, Perplexed By Other Reviews - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By J Wend - December 17 - 11:02 pm

  I guess each car is different, which is why I made sure I did a nice long test drive on my specific Sport Model Tucson with the Turbo engine. My CUV decision was down to the Mazda CX-5 Touring and the Tucson Sport. I wanted the Sport/Touring models because both have the blind spot lane detection systems as well as the backup camera with rear cross traffic warning (like when you back up in a parking lot and someone is coming perpendicular to you). I had ruled out the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V based on rides, options and/or price. The Tucson was hands down the best LOOKING CUV, but I was not going to allow that to be my decider. I took the reviews into consideration, and even discussed them at the dealership. None of the salespeople had heard about the lurching issue, and several suggested premium gas really wasnt needed to assist "turbo lag". Maybe my Tucson had this "firmware" fix some other poster had mentioned. At a stop, I will concede that when I lift the brake, the car will start to move, but it is not a lurch, it is a very slow creep and it is temporary. My old Nissan Murano would creep when I let off the brake. Our 2014 Rogue does the same. Maybe people have different perceptions, I dont know. I have fortunately not seen it. I also have had no issues at all with Turbo lag, but will admit that one model I did test drive (I think it was the Limited, but it was the same turbo engine I have) did have a tiny stutter on a few occasions. Mine --- none at all! I have had the car about 3+ weeks now, and close to 1k miles. I love it, It is a very pleasant ride. Smooth, quiet, crisp. The layout and controls are very nice on the interior, and I love the XM Satellite option. I wish there were reviews written about any and all CUVs in terms of AWD. I am from Ohio, and AWD is important to me. No one seemed to comment if this car or any other performs well in snow. but it has been a mild winter. I am hoping it performs, but I really cant say. I do love the 19" wheels and alloy rims. Very sporty This car has really been a pleasant purchase from my experience. I really feel I made a great decision, and I will admit I was feeling a bit leery reading some Edmunds.com comments. But I just dont (thankfully) have anything but positive things to say about this CUV so far. Maybe that will change over time, but I do like the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty and roadside assistance, Both nice, Just to show my impartiality, I do have one disappointment so far. Oddly the option I told my wife I was least interested in has become a favorite of mine. The sport and higher models come with front and passenger heated seats. I was kind of like "meh, what a wimpy option" - just seemed like something else that could break over time......well, my only beef with the Tucson has been that it take a long time for the engine to warm and move the thermo needle off cold. I find myself about a good 8 minutes into a drive at least before it moves. So, those heated seats have been a darn nice option these last few days keeping my AZZ and back warm waiting for the heat to crank. Wish it warmed faster, but now I just start it a few minutes in my garage before I leave........but thats my one complaint. I love the comfort of this car, I love the look of the car, And it does indeed glide, quiet as can be at high speed on the highway. My advice? Test, test, test yourself. Test the exact car you are going to buy; maybe there are subtle differences from engine to engine. I think I got the best bang for my buck with this car!

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  Best car for the money - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Phil Magro - December 17 - 7:06 am

  I recently bought my Limited 2011 Sonata after looking at every car in the mid size category. For the money this is the best car in its class; its quite, smooth, looks great and rivals cars costing much more, and when you consider the warranty, everyone should buy one of these. I walked in ready to lease a car, but after driving and researching the Sonata, I purchased the car. My daughter has a Lexus ES/350, I call the Sonata a poor mans Lexus!

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  I LOVE IT - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Demetrius - December 17 - 2:00 am

  New for 2003 and they can only get better. This is my thrid Hyundai Coupe and by far the very best that I have ever driven. I can down to the Hyundai and the RSX Type S. I choose the smoothness of the V6 all day long.

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  Sports Cars @ subcompact price - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By RAKinAtlanta - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This has all the promise of the best sports car for the price since the 1979 Honda Prelude. No extras needed, all the performance and handling necessary for under 20K. Warranty can’t be beaten and dealers are making great deals to promote sales.

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  Excellent Hidden Value - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Estimator34 - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car,great fit and finish,and superb performance

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  They Broke the Code! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By RPMontgomery - December 14 - 6:20 pm

  OMG! I am a 62yo professional whos had lots of luxury and a little performance, and this Genesis Coupe is the hottest thing Ive ever had, in so many ways! People ogle it! I love the way it responds to my subtlest tickling of the pedals and steering wheel! Great acceleration, nimble as a cheetah, and so well-balanced its a dream to drive, easy or hard. Love it! The fit, finish, and style of every little detail is unsurpassed! And the car is intelligent! It wouldnt even allow my wife to lock the key in the trunk--it knew it was there! Mileage on regular gas is far better than I expected, and the engine has a great sound. No detractors! I could sell these things!!

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  Car crazy about this suv - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By RICHARD - December 13 - 6:43 pm

  This suv is very quiet excellent ride, at idle you cant hear it. Go look at the quality in this luxury car inside and out. Dont pass it up.

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  My best auto in 50 years - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By mwitt1 - December 12 - 9:30 pm

  This car is well engineered and drives superbly. It is a dream come through in comfort. I just love it

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  Great Car for the Money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By buono170 - December 12 - 7:13 pm

  I put 2500 miles in the first month of owning this car. I love this car.It handles very well & has the power when you need it.Great on gas & who can beat the 10yr 100,000 mile warranty.Great sound system.Give it a test drive,you wont be sorry.