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:

• 

  One of the Best cars I have owned - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Great Car!!!!! - May 11 - 4:43 am

  I have owned dozens of cars from various manufacturers. This is one of the two best cars I have ever owned. Test drove a Honda Accord, a Toyota Camray, a Chevy Malibu, a Niassan Altima and a Kia Optima. This car had them all beat, hands down. As much power as the six cylinder I traded for it. My brother, who just bought a Lexus 350 IS a few months ago drove it. He said if he hadnt already bought the Lexus, he would have bought a Sonata. Hyundia got it right with this car.

• 

  Surprised and Happy - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Banana GT - May 9 - 8:10 pm

  I purchased my Tib GT SE as a cheap commuter car and expected not much more, but I was really amazed by this car. Going on 4 years and 40K miles, and I still love driving it. I have the V6 6-speed, and Ive read of people having clutch troubles-- not with me-- I drag race my Tib semi-regularly and use nitrous-oxide injection every time, still the original clutch! I average 29mpg on my regular road trips and couldnt be happier, and it handles fantastic. Not much back seat foot room, so I have to use the other car for family trips, but it is worth it. The Kenwood system is fantastic, and the a/c is excellent. I havent had a single problem with this car, and I would recommend it to anyone.

• 

  Fantastic value and solid brand quality - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Steve - May 9 - 2:56 pm

  Nevermind the MotorTrend review where it beats the Lexus, or the various quality awards from JD Power, etc. This car is sleek and unbelievably refined and classy inside, and in the GLS FWD trim, an insane bargain at under 25k. The various traction and brake and ESC controls, 5 stars for safety and the tons of airbags make me feel its a great choice for our family. The driving is still sort of truck like, with acceleration and body roll pretty average, and the cabins not as quiet as the reviews say it is, but overall still very impressive. Havent had it long enough to have firsthand experience with its reliability, but Im surprised at the lack of initial issues - none at all.

• 

  Awesome! - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Peter - May 9 - 10:30 am

  I just purchased my 2010 Tucson and it exceeded my expectations - I love it. Although it was hard to get (GLS with Popular PKG in Bronze) it was worth of the 3 weeks wait. There are only 2 things I would add as standard to this vehicle: 1) Outside Temperature meter 2) Two way console (deep and shallow) right now its only deep. If youre on the market you have to take a look at that car as its probably currently the best buy on the Market

• 

  first(but wont be last)Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By rickyrick - May 8 - 4:06 pm

  Hyundai. really? This co. has stepped up big time. after months of research it was a no brainer. After hearing accolades after accolades about this brand and this particular matter, i did my own real world comparisons. Better value than the "Cam-Cord", Smoother than the Mazda products and Lexus type interior(oh for under 20k) u kidding me?? and seriously i was trying to talk myself out of purchasing my Limited but after driving the comparable cars back to back there was an obvious choice ( i did love the 2009-10 Mazda6 but for 10k more, forget about it!) oh and Hyudai has this 10yr/100k mile warranty thingy, too just to throw in. not to worried about resale cause i keep my cars 4ever.

• 

  Love the Luxury of the Azera Limited - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Laura Welch - May 8 - 2:53 pm

  This is a new vehicle to us but after driving Accords and Chevys, is a real step up. Our model Azera is the Limited, Premium package so it is loaded and just plain luxury.

• 

  Best Vehicle Ive Driven - 2008 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Greg S. - May 8 - 11:20 am

  In driving cars since 1975 the Tucson is the best vehicle Ive owned. Does it have shortcomings, of course. But, I knew that when I bought it. As of 8-16-10 I have 36,000 and not one problem. Tires are still very good, oil is changed every 3,000 to 4,000 and lubed. Preventive maintenance is key. The only thing I dont like it that it is noisy from a tire standpoint. Good mileage up to 27 mpg on the highway and about 22 in local traffic. Its just a nice vehicle.

• 

  hyundai is a fallacy - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By molly - May 7 - 9:13 pm

  Everything was ok for 3 yrs. At 4th yr mark, around 60,000 miles after your initial warranty kicks out, everything started falling apart. A timing belt $700.00. Lots of problems w/tires 1st yr owning car. Now in our 5th year, no more warranty, 71,000 miles & we are having Major problems. Was told it would cost $2800! Car is only worth $4000 - $5000 at this point. We have a 2007 sonata. Will never buy another Hyundai. They are not made when at all & that whole 100,000 warranty thing is a hoax. The car will not make it that far without costing you lots in repairs. We will buy a Toyota next time around.

• 

  Genesis does a lot - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By msteam - May 7 - 9:13 pm

  I have owned 2 Lexuss since 1998 a GS 300 and clocked 187000 miles on it an excellent car which performed in all aspects wonderfully. I then bought a Lexus IS250 I enjoyed the all wheel drive but when reading about the Genesis I was very intrigued and once I drove the 4.6 I was ready to buy. The car has all the features of both my Lexuss except the doors dont unlock when in proximity to the car. The brakes are tremendous the steering perfect, fuel economy very good considering the V8 power,super ride, great acceleration, very fine interior materials comfortable seats and with Technology Package all the toys. I love the size of the car lots of comfort in the back seat best car Ive owned.

• 

  2012 Elantra Touring GL - 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By rooke1991 - May 7 - 2:23 pm

  Had it for 8 months now, pretty damn good! Really comfortable and spacious, driven with 5 average guys, between 20-27. and everyone had enough space for a 3 hour drive. Fit enough stuff(tent, beer, air mattresses, etc) for 3 people for a weekend camping trip, not comprimising on seating space at all. Alittle slow acceeration wise but once going its all good! Sound system is good, the usb input is kind of a pain, auxillary cable works fine though. Tons of compartments, all mine are empty dont have enough stuff to fill them. ONly complaint is seeing as im 21 I get called a soccer mom alot.