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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  nifty car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By markopolo40 - August 20 - 6:20 pm

  Got the new GLS V6 a few a days ago. We also own a 2003 model. The two cars are not really comparable as the whole concept got big improvements. mix of accord, camry and a bit of audi feeling (interior). Engine power is much greater, ride is very smooth, noise even further reduced and all important safety features are standard. price vs feature/quality is probably one of the best ratios out there. The seats could use some improvements and the mirrors should be collapsable. I drive about 30K miles a year and I think the car will prove a reliable and enjoyable workhorse. Too bad Hyundai doesnt offer a navigation system to top it of.

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  Sonata Shortcomings - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By John - August 20 - 2:00 pm

  Gas mileage is suspect. While local driving is OK, highway mileage is low. Ive gotten 25 MPG when driving on Interstates at the posted speed limits. When I asked about the mileage, I was told that the tests were done with 91 octane, which is not mentioned on the window sticker. It is in the owners manual, but one does not see that until he/she is the owner. Frankly, I was disappointed that I can only get the low end of the mileage range with the recommended octane gas--87 octane. I dont believe the warranty lives up to the hype. If it does, why do I need to pay $1593 for additional warranty coverage?

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  Great car at a great price - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kevin - August 19 - 11:06 pm

  The car has been great so far, it drives very smoothly, and the handling is great. Braking with this car feels very solid and controlled too, it doesnt dip much in the front. When the car idles, the engine is very quiet. The small dimensions of this car also makes manuvering in parking lots quite easy.

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  2004 Hyundai sante fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By guccigirl - August 19 - 6:50 pm

  Everyones reviews about new cars, guess what, mine has 165 thou miles, never had a problem! LOVE LOVE LOVE MY HYUNDAI! Fabulous stereo! Only complaints, wish it had better gas mileage, have to change transmission fluid every 30 thou miles. I really love this car. will drive it to death, it also really holds its value!

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  Not as good as it used to be - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom - August 19 - 12:17 pm

  I recently rented this car on a drive from Seattle to Reno when the airline stranded me. I generally have loved Hyundais and my daily driver is a 2013 Hyundai Accent that I love. I was disappointed in this car for two major reasons. #1 the road noise was unbearable and I couldnt even hear the radio over the amount of road noise. #2 was the night time visibility, the dash is not dim-able and was way too bright making it very difficult to see at night. Gas mileage and every other aspect of the cars was great, but these two were a deal breaker for me and I took it back to the rental agency and exchanged it for another vehicle the next day.

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  Awesome but a few problems - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Sue San Diego - August 19 - 8:50 am

  This car is wonderful but there are issues. Bluetooth is horrible. People cant hear you. Also had problems with battery drainage but seems solved. Gas mileage is not at all what they say. I get 20-22 city and 26 on road with avg of 24. They just lied on the window sticker.

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  Great buy!! Lot of car for a low price!! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By scudderb56 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I have been typically a GM man. I was rather hesitant when my wife suggested going and test driving a Hyundai. The last I remember about foreign cars was they fell apart rather quickly; within 5 years or so. Also, they were an arm and leg to fix. Well, I found out differently. It is a great car. It handles well. It is a sterdy car. It is comfortable to ride in and is fun to drive. I was rather impressed to say the least. You will get your moneys worth out of this car.

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  Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Wynn - August 18 - 7:33 pm

  Great car, great drive with 17 inch wheels (get them). Handles better with 17 inch, however, tires are a little noise. Shop around and go to a few dealers. Get the car from the dealer that ordered it, not one that will get one from ANOTHER dealer, (you will negotiation). I studied a Avalon and this is so much more for the money. I went through the internet dealer of the car dealership, do the same!!

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  Wave of Problems at 4 Year Mark - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By newcarshoppe2 - August 18 - 5:00 pm

  Problems started mounting right after 60,000 mile warranty mark. First problems with rattling in front end and sway bars, then problems with electrical failure. Not satisfied that paying thousands of dollars in repair costs for relatively new car. Reading reviews, have found that many issues start right after warranty ends on Hyundais. Wont be buying Hyundai again.

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  Great small wagon- lots of room - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By sshoredrvr - August 18 - 12:03 pm

  This is a great small car for city driving but it has a lot of cargo space. I did a ton of research and looked at similar cars, this was the least expensive but had similar features. The car drives nice and has handled well in the snow. I am short and did not find as many blind spots as with other cars, yet there is a lot of headroom. It is slightly higher than standard cars, giving me a good view of the road It is not the the most exciting car but it drives well and is functional- the cost and reliability of Hyundai won me over. I have had no problems so far