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 Little Lexus - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By tundra1 - September 15 - 9:46 pm

  After reading numerous reviews of this car I thought Id give it a look. I had just driven a fit when I walked next door to the Hyundai dealer and drove the elantra. I was very impressed. Feature content was unmatched, very comfortable (I am 6,2"), and visibility is excellent. Power is ok and mpgs are excellent. The most pleasant surprise to me was at 80 mph on the interstate it is really quiet. Nice build quality.

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  No Brainer - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jack - September 15 - 4:16 pm

  This car was among the most fun to drive of the mid-sized sedans. When the safety features, warranty and value are considered this was the product for us.

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  Base 07 Santa Fe Review - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By frank - September 15 - 10:33 am

  Hyundais first US designed and manufactured model is awesome. I have people thinking this is the Infiniti FX35 or the Acura MDX when they look at it from different angles! I have the arctic white 2.7L engine with the automatic/sportronic transmission. This car has enough power with this engine to do what it needs to do, carry my wife and my baby with space for the stroller/etc in the cargo area. Great looks inside and out. People think this is a luxury car whenever they see it, since it has great interior(wood grain trimming, fake aluminim trimming, and dual color dashboard/interior). Second row has its own storage(floor shelves, backseat pockets) and air conditioning!

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  I Get Many Compliments - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Larryissmart - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I get only positive comments and compliments from friends and family. Two friends (so far) now want to go out and purchase a Sonata. Very attractive European styling. Fit and finish are excellent. At a distance, appears to be a much more expensive car. Engine is quiet and smooth. Rear seats are comfortable enough for two large adults. Dealer was excellent and not at all pushy. You cant find a better bargain than the Sonata. The best vehicle purchase I have ever made.

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  Excellent Sports Car- Fun to Drive! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Michele Smith - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Genesis Coupe a few weeks ago. My brother introduced me to the car; reporting it to be one of the best cars out this year. When I first laid eyes on this car, I couldnt believe it was a Hyundai! The exterior is sleek and very sporty. The interior has all the bells and whistles as a 350z or G35/G37. I was upgrading tremendously, coming from a 07 Toyota Corolla! The ride is smooth and handles well around corners. You know you love your car when you look back at it 3-5 times as you walk away!

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  The Standard for Value - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Patrick B. McMonigle - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Owned at least a dozen cars, 4 of them Hyundai Elantras. Each better than the last. Most satifying car ive ever owned. Havent found a better value, or better coporate-buyer relations. Low resale value more than made up for with warranty & repeat buyer incentives. This is the first car ive owned that i cannot imagine trading in before the wheels fall off (not likely).

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  Everything except accelleration - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By r3v00h - September 10 - 9:01 am

  Im a mid 20s average guy, I needed a car that I could afford but also one that didnt look like a little uh, you know. The veloster is awesome, I love everything about it, the MPG (realistically 28/37 but Ive got it up to around 32/42) and the mean front end. The car is a work of art and you really need to go test drive one to appreciate it, if you can find one, all of my dealerships sold out in a hurry. Speed demons (like me) will be disappointed at its speed off the line, but its makes up for that with handling, a smooth ride, great looks inside and out, and a pretty good warantee. I dont know about you but it works for me.

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  2011 Equus in MD/DC - 2011 Hyundai Equus
  By Kevin - September 9 - 8:40 pm

  Yes, its a Hyundai. For the price, style, economy and features, you cannot beat it. I purchased this car in 2013 with 21,000 miles on it. Primarily used for over-the-road travel and can say, it is worth every penny spent. I changed the standard air filter with one by K&N, which has improved my fuel economy to 17/28, with an average combined economy of 21 mpg.

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  OCD type absolutely impressed - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rozyred8 - September 9 - 8:40 am

  Needed a bigger vehicle. Looked at Toyota Rav4 and Highlander. Highlander with similar features is outrageously priced while Rav4 has to few features (no nav, etc.) and price too high in comparison of Santa Fe. CRV too soccer mom-looking for us. I must say I smile every time I get into this car. The entire dash and fit and finish is beautiful. (we have black leather w/ black dash) Blue lights contrast beautifully. Sound system great, gas mileage similar to what everyone else says...but something to be noted that not everyone says is the quietness of the ride. My mom has a Lexus 330 SUV and this is MUCH quieter than her car. Solid ride that makes you feel good to be at the wheel.

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  Happy so far - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sani - September 8 - 12:23 pm

  Im still on the first tank of gas on my Elantra SE, but so far Im very pleased with it. Rides very well on city streets and highway. Feels bigger than my Mazda3, but not as big and floaty as a Sonata. Its the perfect size for myself and my family. Pickup is good and gas mileage is in the high 20s on the first tank - sure to get even better with time. Very high-quality interior, though I wish it were a lighter gray (its a nearly-black charcoal gray interior). A much better car than the previous-generation Elantra.