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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  OK car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Myra - August 8 - 5:10 am

  After owning Camarys in the past looked at the Sonata because of price and consumer rating. Overall the car is OK. Smooth braking to a complete stop is impossible. Transmission seems to jump out of gear at times.

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  Underrated and Understated - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dave - August 7 - 11:30 am

  This title is an apt description of the Elantra I purchased in the middle of April, 2008. It looks even better in person, as I discovered at the dealership. I owned a 2002 Sonata GLS with the V6, but the test drive with this Elantra sold me. The carbon gray color looks excellent on this vehicle, and it has subtle, yet classy pinstriping on the sides. There are trim moldings on the doors and wheel wells which give it a finished appearance. Above all, it is comfortable to drive, with plenty of head room. The trunk (with cargo net) is spacious and useful. The ride on the open road is quiet and smooth. The 4 cylinder performs well. Quite nimble. Loaded with great features - even XM radio

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  Needs some consumer input - 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jan - August 7 - 9:53 am

  Life with this car after purchase revealed some annoying features. So would you like to leave the sunroof open while you run in the house or store quick? Nope cant do it...you cannot turn the car off and lock it if the sunroof is open. Need to quickly close the trunk because of driving snow or rain? Nope you cant do it...you need to wait for the automatic gate to do it slowly while you wait. Did you put something in the cubby below the radio and then park the car? Good luck getting it out if its a bulky item because the shifter will be in the way. Do you plan to sit in the front passenger seat occasionally when youre not driving? The seat adjustment controls are nothing like the driver seat, and as a matter of fact, youll sit a few inches lower on the passenger side. Ever drop something between the driver seat and the center console? Youll never get it out without going in from the back seat underneath the seat because its so narrow you cant even fit your fingertips in between there. Good luck vacuuming the carpet in these spaces because there are plenty of narrow spaces where things can fall but no ability to vacuum. This car handles well and drives well and has a nice warranty but if youre looking for the basic comforts of a busy lifestyle with kids look somewhere else. Hyundai needs to ask consumers where they can improve for future model redesigns.

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  so far extremely satisfied... - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By serge fournier - August 7 - 7:23 am

  I have owed a Volvo S-80 2002 purchased that year and wanted to change it for a 2009 until I saw the comments written on Edmunds, about the Genesis. My Wife and I went on a test drive and we enjoyed so much the drive and the comfort that we bought it when we got back to the dealership and at a price nearly 16000.00 less than a Volvo S-80 2009.Im being congratulated continuously by people seeing it for the 1st time. The value of this Genesis is outstanding.

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  Happy with my second Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By sonatanyc - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I have the 2003 LX w/ABS & TC. I am completely satisfied with the vehicle except for the gas mileage (18 MPG, 60-40 city/highway). But that should improve over time. I enjoyed my 2001 Sonata GLS Leather,too, until it was hit from behind while stopped by a car going 55 MPH and totaled (none of the four of us inside were injured). I have gotten nothing but compliments, including from the techs who installed by alarm system.

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  Impressed - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By sandpeople - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I am very impressed with this car. After a light fender bender with a mercury cougar, they had over $1000. in damage, we had light touch up paint on the back bumper, I am definately sold on the safety of this car.

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  read up first - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By summertime - August 5 - 2:00 am

  in just the first year i had the car. i had to bring it in the shop about 10 times. that in all says alot. i have had to bring my car in to the shop for problem such has fusese blowing, trasmmion problems, car stalling, speakers keep blowing and the car not excepting the right gas. PLEASE do not even think of buying this car. u will regret it in the end.

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  Just...Blah - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Nickw23 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 02 Hyundai Elantra GT new and currently have 27K miles on the car. This car should get better mileage for such a small 4 cylinder. I get about 26 MPG with my 5speed. My biggest issue with this car is the brakes. They are honestly unsafe and I dont trust them at all. I already had to have my brakes redone at 15,000 miles. Conveinetly past the 12,000 mile warranty(it is a DECEPTIVE warranty btw). Im currently looking to purchase a Jeep Wrangler, Ive had it with this cars brakes and subpar performance in the snow for a vehicle with FWD and traction control. The Michelins on the car are bottom of the barrel garbage. Resale is a joke.

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  Better than gold - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mr. Baymar - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Lets talk service... I bought the car over the internet from Miami. Paperwork and a set of key was fedexed and my car was parked at the Denver airport with a location map faxed to me. No car dealership will do that for you. The Santa Fe is delightful and when I am back in Miami with my S430 I still miss it.

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  Awesome Car - A Family Car/Luxury/Sporty combo - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By traxen - August 5 - 1:35 am

  I bought my car certified preowned (CPO) just 2 months old and with just 1,498 miles on it. It still was in showroom condition inside and out and still had that new car smell. I was so happy to find this car while checking Mike Morgans Hyundai dealership inventory online. I still cant believe I was lucky enough to get such a great deal on a like-new Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo Limited fully loaded - because some doctor had traded it in because he decided he wanted a truck. This was perfect for me because I was able to afford it without going over my budget or having to resort to a lower trim. Some expert reviews call the interior and exterior of the Azera refined, while they refer that very similar styling for the Sonata bland. Well, I like the upscale conservative and refined exterior styling of the Sonatas exterior and I like the German-style layout and touch of luxury that the Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo Limited exudes. The exterior has the distinctive quad exhaust chrome tips, as well as a sleek swooping design along the top of the car with a lip spoiler and rear diffusior. The front grill, chrome accents, stylish headlights, side rocker panels, and low bumper clearance gives the car an almost aggressive (I mean business) appearance. The interior is plush with leather seats and soft touch plastics. The center stack for controlling the electronics is laid out thoughtfully for the drivers full control. The whole plethora of electronic gadgets is just amazing. I like the pep that the car has even in Eco mode for passing or getting on the highway, and it does save gas. I am surprised how sneaky and quitely the Hyundai Sonata 2.0 Turbo Limited can get up and pass the speed limit and far ahead of all the other traffic almost before you notice it while in just in Normal mode. Most of the time I have to stay out of the Sport mode to avoid getting ticketed because of my lead foot. Of course the Sonata is not a true sports car, it was designed to be mostly a family car. It does have a dash of luxury and sporty pep to a very comfortable and quite family car. Because of the low sports car bumper clearance you will have to get use to avoiding parking spots with concrete wheel blocks. I judge the distance away from these wheel blocks by sighting them with the bottom of my drivers side mirror. It takes some getting use to but it can keep you from damaging your beautiful cars bumper. I still cant believe I am driving and own such an awesome car. The panoramic moonroof cools me off after jogging without using my a/c. I like the drivers and passenger seats that are powered for adjusting up, down, as well as back and forward; they are also heated, and cooled. I also like that the drivers side mirrors and passenger side mirrors are heated and powered for adjusting. The adaptive cruise control, cross traffic alert, lane assists, abs, traction control, blind spot detection, and backup camera help me keep safe on the road. The unsurpassed Hyundai warranties, proven reliability and durability are more reason I wanted and value my Sonata so much. I have only owned my car for five months and I can truthfully say this is the first car I have really loved.