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:

• 

  Strong Looking Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John - November 14 - 9:03 am

  I just made it to 1,200 miles for the proper break in period. The Santa Fe has performed better than I expected, and I am averaging 20 mpg.It is great fun to drive. I get compliments from eveybody I know.I am suprised that every one thinks I bought a Lexus SUV. Congratulatios Hyundai!

• 

  Nice looking zippy car - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By STEVEN - November 14 - 5:50 am

  This car is a very nice realiable car for a sport compact. The design of the car is definitely a head turner. I of course have young kids coming up to me asking me about it but what I thought was weird is that older men in their 50s or later seem to be interested in this lil car. I guess it does make a good mid life crisis car that is very affordable at around 22 grand for the SE six speed model that i have. It gets what it says it gets and that is 26mpg. It is a zippy lil car but i would be happier for the v6 to be putting out more like 230 hp instead of the week 172. I guess its easier to honor that 10 year 100,000 mile drive train warranty that way. Anyway its a very good car for the cash

• 

  incredible - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Mike - November 14 - 5:50 am

  "Yeah right.. a HYUNDAI.." or at least thats what I thought when I was ready to buy a new car. My Ford died at 84,000 miles so I traded it in for $4,000 looking at the Civic Si, Eclipse, WRX, tC, RSX, and a few others. Loved my stepsisters 06 Sonata so decided to give Hyundai a try. I never thought Id own a Korean car, but this one is perfect. My car had to have auto climate, V6 (or similar) refinement, leather, moon roof, and premium sound. That pretty much knocked everything out but the Tiburon, Eclipse, and RSX. Minor complaints, but no regrets. This was the best car by far. Firm but not harsh, comfortable but not boring, feels like our 06 C280 in terms of driving feel. Love it.

• 

  Its the perfect car - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By kristinac - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a brand new 2003 Accent and I love it, it is a very comfortable ride and it looks more expensive than it is. I was very impressed at how quiet it is and how good the sound system is for being stock. For a small car, it has guts. It has more horses than most cars its size. The best thing about the model I have (4DR sedan GL)is that its so convenient, with power everything. Its no Mercedes but it has a very stylish apppearance, very futuristic and nice looking.

• 

  Just Purchased - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By The Black Family - November 12 - 9:56 pm

  We were sceptical about buying a Hyundai at first, husband sold in late 80s and it was wasnt pretty at that time, HOWEVER after doing research and test driving, we are surprisingly happy with the design and the performance of our 2005 Santa Fe. For the money and the options there is NO comparison. Hyundai beats the competition hands down. The warranty and dealer incentives are the icing on the cake. Hopefully it will be a dependable vehicle and we will definately update our review. Some of the reviews are comical at best (illuminated cruise control?) that would not be noticed if everything wasnt already illuminated. Ignore the Reliability rating above-doesnt count =)

• 

  Get Compliments Every Time I Go Out in My Veloster - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By dutchgirl22 - November 12 - 10:08 am

  I bought my Veloster about a month ago. I traded in my 2003 Hyundai Tiburon which I LOVED for this car. I drive for a living so I put on about 25,000 miles a year and I need a small car for parking spaces with a large trunk for my medical devices, along w great gas mileage/good warranty/good price. I had a 4 cylinder Tiburon so I am used to the weaker power of the Veloster as well as feeling everything on the road (I feel less than w my Tiburon). My complaint is the MPG whether highway/city is NOT correct. I seem to have to get gas as much now as I did w my Tiburon that allegedly has 10-15 mpg less than the Veloster. I get compliments all the time and I do love the look.

• 

  Best Family Hybrid Sedan - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By ohio_pop - November 12 - 7:28 am

  My family has 2 Sonata hybrid sedans because they are safe and fun to drive, get good fuel economy, handle well including braking and transition from EV to gas motor engaged. The car has excellent power when it is needed because the electric motor can supplement the gas engine. The Sonata hybrid has the most interior room of any hybrid sedan that cost less than $40,000. I read the negative reviews from some and do not agree with them. The cars equipment, such as the excellent Bluetooth hands free phone use, all work well. The cars ride is very smooth and quiet. In contrast to comment - the electric engine operates only at low speed, I found that the car will go into EV mode at 60+mph

• 

  rattle car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By paul kay - November 12 - 3:53 am

  Bought it with 13,400, at 14,000 they replaced the front brake pads, because I heard a crunching noise when slowing down, they also replaced the rear trunk hindges.. Rear suspension is loud over bumps. My v6 knocks when cold and noise goes away when warm. Suspension is loud! Tires are junk 215 55 17- junk! My first and last Hyundai. Sorry I bought it.

• 

  I love my Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By lucynethl - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would ever own a Hyundai, well this 2003 Sonata is my second. In 94 I bought an Excel and still have own it, I love the reliability. The Sonata looks like a Jag and runs awsome. The truck is huge and the back seat is very comfy for my 2 kids. We will be buying more Hyundais

• 

  One Heck of a Contenda! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By jww - November 12 - 1:23 am

  Ohmigosh - Hyundai have shocked the heck out of me. This is a fabulous car, no doubt about it. If you can get over badge snobbery, and are in the market for a new family sedan with some punch check this car out. It is as good as Honda or Toyota, and is far more feature rich than either of the Accord or Camry. Hyundai is close to setting the standard here.