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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  First model year Genesis. Id buy it again! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By AZKerry - January 22 - 2:32 pm

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  Great Car for Daughter College Bound - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By Cory - January 20 - 5:58 pm

  Get a 4 door. I bought a 2 door for my daughter because I thought it was "cool", found out 4 door better, even for her, dealer let me switch to a comparable 4 door. I have bought cars from this Used Car Dealer, now my friend, since 1989. He finds the cleanest, low mileage cars around. This 2013 Elantra had 9,500 miles when I bought 4 months ago. Now, under 11,000 miles. It has leather, seat warmers, blue tooth for phone, sunroof, great back seat leg room and huge trunk for my daughters guitar, amp and equipment. I paid $13,800 for the car. Do not tell on me, but while test driving it on the Interstate, I punched it and the car went quickly to 120 miles per hour. It sips gas. I usually do not get extended warranties, but for a few bucks, I got a 100,000 mile, cover everything warranty and my daughter has to make one phone call if anything goes wrong. This should last her through college and beyond. I am very pleased. By the way, it has a snappy design that is an eye catcher. This is a great car.

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  Very happy - 2015 Hyundai Azera
  By Denise Carter - January 19 - 7:30 pm

  Very happy with this car. Check for recalls to. Very comfortable car. Impressive for the price.

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  Enjoyable ride - 2015 Hyundai Accent
  By Bob Drumtra - January 14 - 12:04 pm

  This is the second Hyundai I have owned the first being a 2001 Elantra. I had it for 13 years and was very satisfied. So far this car has proven to be almost like the Elantra. Since my other car is a Lincoln MKZ, it is hard to compare the comfort level and overall components. Lets just say Im satisfied with what I have purchased.

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  My Second Entourage! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Jesse - January 8 - 9:59 am

  I purchased an 07 Entourage after having a Dodge Caravan. Light years better! I use the vans for my dog grooming business (pick up/deliveries) so my vans are worked hard. I put about 30k miles annually, all city traffic. My 07 now has 140k miles and still going. Im sorry Hyundai discontinued this model. The 16 KIA Sodona received bad reviews so I just purchased a used 08 Entourage with 41k mikes. I anticipate the same amazing quality and reliability! I love these vans. Great pick up on them too!

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  Best Car Ive Owned So Far! - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Hawkskill818 - January 7 - 3:14 pm

  Ive had Volvos, Chryslers, Nissans, and Subarus. But, Ive owned my Azera Limited for about 2 years now, and it is the best car Ive ever owned, hands down. It is comfortable, powerful, fuel efficient, has a great sound system, and is SAFE! Consistently averages about 25-26mpg at speeds of 80mph, close to 30mpg around 70mph. I was also rear-ended at about 50mph in this car, the appraisers and auto body employees said if I was hit at any higher speed the car wouldve been totaled, but I came out completely unscathed! No whiplash or even a backache! It also performs very well in inclement weather, remains sure footed in rain, and the ESC system helps a lot in the snow as I have never gotten stuck and rarely slide around. It is also an extremely reliable car, I have never had any issues with anything on it. This is definitely a diamond in the rough car for Hyundai, and I will proudly buy more Hyundai products for many years to come because of my experiences with this one!

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  great minivan - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Luz Bonilla - January 4 - 4:40 pm

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  More for the money than most... - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mark Vassalotti - January 4 - 11:13 am

  I have only owned my Hyundai Genesis for 1 month, so Im still learning about the car and its performance. But so far its everything that I expected. Most of the reviews that I read about the Genesis prior to my purchase spoke about the "value" associated with this car. You clearly get more features with the Genesis than cars from other companies at the same price point. Ive found this to be totally true. I decided to forgo the extra packages that are optional with the Genesis because I felt that the stock model had most everything that I want at this point. The only option I added was the AWD since I live in Connecticut. But you can clearly get some great options if youre willing to upgrade. The Genesis is pretty quiet, and has a smooth ride. But it has no performance or handling weaknesses. Its a nice blend of both. And thats what I was looking for. The interior is really comfortable. I feel like Im in a cockpit. Im 6 3" and I have both ample head room and leg room in the Genesis. I like the instrumentation, and the entertainment/navigation system is touch screen, and very easy to use. My wife commented that she has "Navigation envy" since my screen is so much easier to view and understand than her car. The Blue tooth was easy to set up, and works great. I personally love the look/design of the Genesis. And the added security of the Hyundai warranty made me feel more secure in my purchase.

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  In the end it was worth it! - 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jazzyjeff808 - January 2 - 10:58 am

  The Genesis is awesome in many ways. Safety, design, comfort....the list goes on and on. Test drive and youll see. If you want to eliminate the negotiations part of it go to north county Hyundai. By far the quickest to get to a fair price without the hassles and common practices a dealership will put you thru. I spoke to 15 dealerships and it only took them 15 minutes before I felt comfortable giving them my credit information. Thats what you call getting down to business.

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  Best Car I ever owned (Ten Year Original Owner) - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By mikeinmemphis - December 28 - 8:38 pm

  Bought the car off the show room floor in North Los Angeles and drove it home 130 miles south to San Diego. I t was a great trip. New Car, New Car smell and acceleration galore. Car is fast. I moved to the mid south a year later and have been there ever since. Car is great in snow and ice. Car has 175K miles and is still on original spark plugs. Still on original transmission fluid and original radiator fluid. I get an oil change religiously every 3000 miles (I think thats the secret to long life). Car has had no major trouble. I tow with it all the time. (5x8 utility trailer 1000 lbs not a problem). Minor problems include: Sun Visor, brake pedal switch, rear 3rd brake lamp, replace headlamps 3 times, drivers window when wet and rear brake lamps bulbs. I have driven the car at 130 miles an hour in the Southern California desert just to see if cruise control works at over 100 mph (it does). Best Feature: Reliability. I would buy another but they dont offer that V-6 in a sonata, It is available in the Santa Fe and it now produces almost 300 hp. I like this brand and will stick with it. They need to hurry up and make the Santa Cruz cause I need a new vehicle...10 years time for a change. And yes I will keep the old sonota as a second car until she dies.