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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  Awesome Vehicle - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Gotta get one - August 16 - 2:40 pm

  Weve had our Santa Fe for over 2 yrs now and have not had any problems with it. I feel very safe in this car. My husband takes it to work about 35 miles from home in the winter (and we live in one of the worst snow band areas) and this car handles wonderfully. We have the AWD and Traction Control features. Would definitely buy another.

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  VERY NICE - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By CHUCK - August 16 - 9:10 am

  I love this car. I tried others in the price range and they lacked the quiet ride and the features. Great price, great warranty

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  Wow! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By CaptRB - August 16 - 3:06 am

  We own the 2006 Kia Sedona, fully loaded. My friend just got a loaded Entorage from his company. They are the same in most every way. We sort of prefer the looks of the Sedona, but we have a better color. ALL of these vans look alike. But these new Korean models blast Honda and Toyota with equal or better quality, features and luxury. Im still shocked after putting 5K on the Sedona. You simply cant go wrong. One reviewer noted a handling difference in the two vans. We give a slight edge to the Sedona, but the Enetourage seemed a bit nicer on the bumps. Too close to bother with. Get either and be happy! Capt RB

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  Excellent Car. Great Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alejandro - August 15 - 10:00 am

  After looking at Fusion, Accord, Mazda6 & Altima I decided on this car because it was the best buy for the money. Driven it 500 miles so far and I fall more in love every day. Great fuel economy, awesome features. The 198 hp engine has plenty of power and speed even with 5passengers. Im glad I picked this car above the rest. Some complain about lack of pwr seat for passenger. They dont need to have pwr. Besides they have dual zone temp control that s enough. Mine is the indigo blue Pearl, and all I get are compliments on the car everywhere I go.

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  Great Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By zrm - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Drive mostly highway miles, great mileage. Like everything about the car. Still learning about the bluetooth. All features work fine.

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  Awesome vehicle / one complaint - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Felix - August 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best value going. Overall, the car is great. I love the styling and interior. Great Nav and media options. fun to drive and corners well. The only complaint is the steering. Very frustrating driving on the highway for long stretches of straight road, constantly overcorrecting (left right left right) to keep the car straight.

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  Best value for the Money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By TASI - August 14 - 10:33 pm

  After several researches and comparisions and of course test drive comparisons with other cars in this class, Hyundai Azera came out on top. Lots of amenities that are standard with the Azera you would have to pay hundreds more with other cars in its, IF its offered. Bottom line is best value for the money without sacrificing quality. Good job Hyundai. Keep it up. Never considered a Hyundai before until now.

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  Time to pull the Trigger! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bartman - August 14 - 6:13 am

  Been looking at the Sonata since its redesign in 2006 but the Interior Revamp they did in 2009 sealed the deal. My 96 Saturn was now on its last legs and finally last week I had to pull the trigger cause I didnt want to spend any more on repairs. I had also seen the pics of the 2011 Sonata due out later this year and just considered it too flashy for my tastes and decided to grab a 2010 while I could. The $3000 discount helped too since they only gave me $500 for the Saturn which will be immediately sent to Auction. The bottom line is I got a Std GLS with everything already included that I wanted for the last 3 years. Im glad I did my homework and Edmunds helped.

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  WOW what a great car and what a great price. - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By zuuppp - August 12 - 7:17 pm

  I purchased a Veloster at Temecula Hundai. I looked at the CRZ across the street and the Veloster is the better car hands down. I was almost hit because people keep stating at the car while I am driving. Today some guy was hanging out of his truck stating and gave me a thumbs up. I was driving a Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Veloster has so many more features but the same great handling. From Blue Link to XM radio to USB ports and Eco Coach, this car has it all.

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  Value and Design - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Limited W/Nav - August 12 - 10:43 am

  Value and design. Cannot beat it. I have strangers coming up and ogling over it.