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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  Look out Japan, South Korea caught up. - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By roberto - September 7 - 12:33 pm

  This car is way above what we expected. On smoothly paved roads it is the quietest car Ive ever driven. It puts the new Camry to shame in that category. It also puts the Camry and Accord to shame in list of standard features by including SAB, ESC, ABS and traction control. The NHTSA says it is even better than the Accord in its side impact crash test ratings and costs thousands less. Only thing I would change is the look of the climate controls, a little dorky. Otherwise go for it. Oh yes and the warranty package is far better than the Accord and Camry. I feel like a saleperson......

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  mpg better than epa ratings - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By blisowski - September 5 - 2:32 pm

  Recently we got 40.7 mpg on straight hwy at 65 mph keeping the rpms below 2000. First i did not trust the computer but it proved to be accurate. I called my dealer and they were not all that surprised--so it does day on the sticker up to 41 mph. I am at 5200 and will continue to update data.

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  Sonata - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By tbell - September 5 - 12:43 pm

  Solid car for $6K less than competition.

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  Very Pleased - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By esd - September 5 - 10:36 am

  First SUV Ive owned and have been pleased with it so far (now have 5,000 miles on it). The 3.3 provides plenty of power and the trans is very smooth shifting, unlike the Escape I test drove. The Santa Fe is a better value and nicely equipped.Anyone looking for a SUV should take a good at a Santa Fe before buying anything else. It is designed very well and very roomy.

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  love this car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By tdevin8 - September 4 - 11:17 pm

  Ijust got this car today love the way it handles very roomy I had a 2009 sel fusion this car lookes so much better can not say enough good thing about the price you get alot of extras great value

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  above Accord or Camry - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Clag - September 4 - 10:38 am

  Ive had my Sonata Limited for 3 months. I wanted an old mans car and therefore was not too concerned with high performance or flashy appearance. I would have been happy with any of the loaded midsize sedans: Accord, Camry, Altima, Passat, Fusion, Malibu or Sonata. Considering only the top three in reliability, I eliminated all but the Accord, Camry and Sonata. I believe that cars are going through a drastic change over the next 3 to 5 years. So, I wanted my next car to be loaded with as much of the new tech stuff as possible. All three top out at somewhere between $32,500 and $35,000. Honda and Toyota would only knock off at most $3,000 to $4,500 the MSRP. I bought my Hyundai $10,000 less than MSRP ($33,555). If I sell it in 4 to 7 years, I believe that Hyundai will have as good a reputation for reliability as Honda or Toyota. Im 63" and 225 lbs with knees that dont bend very much. The Sonata is the easiest to get in and out of and has the most room. With my iPhone 7, the entertainment center does everything I could ask of it and with great speakers. I couldnt notice any significant difference among the three in handling, noise, ride and comfort. Performance will have to go to the others with a V6. Hyundais only come with a I4. (I get my performance fix racing go-karts.) I check my gas mileage every time I fill up. Never have I gotten less than 25.3 mpg (all city driving). On the highway, I get 37mpg but that is driving 70-80 mph.

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  Mirrors need improvment - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By rafez - September 3 - 6:13 am

  in overall I will give it 9 on 10 compering to other hyundai cars.

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  I own it and I luv it - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dave - September 3 - 6:03 am

  Smooth ride and quiet operation. The 3.5L is a fast, efficient, and stable performer. Interior layout is roomy and comfortable except my dog has trouble sitting on the console. The back seat area is roomy for even large adults and there is plenty of luggage space. The dash layout is easily viewed during operation. Im looking forward to my next long trip to find out the real feel.

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  best suv out there - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By g. schlogel - September 2 - 6:23 pm

  got to get the limited. for the money you get so much. had a 2001 hyundai with no problems. great inside and out.consumers reports voted it the best midsize suv.

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  Fantastic! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By aheisel - September 2 - 8:10 am

  This is the first brand new vehicle that I have owned and fell in love with it on the test drive! I test drove at leat 4 or 5 different cars that day and none of them seemed to fit except for the Sonata. It has a slick design and a great interior. Its roomy (Im 60 and mostly legs!) Its reliable and I feel safe driving down the road. One of the reasons why I purchased it was because of its safety features. The others being the mileage and warranty!