Hyundai is a Korean carmaker founded in 1967, now part of Hyundai Motor Group. The cars themselves are another matter: across 19 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 2 countries — South Korea 54.6%, the United States 44.9%. 35 models are tracked here (1986–2026). Reliable? yes, on balance — 4.2 out of 5 across 35 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes Hyundai
Hyundai Motor Company is a South Korean multinational automaker headquartered in Seoul, founded by Chung Ju-yung in 1967. Hyundai entered the US market in 1986 with the Excel and has grown into the world's third-largest automaker by volume when combined with sister brand Kia and luxury division Genesis under Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai operates the world's largest integrated automobile manufacturing plant in Ulsan, South Korea, capable of producing 1.6 million vehicles annually across seven separate assembly lines. The Sonata, Elantra, Tucson and Santa Fe anchor Hyundai's mainstream US lineup, while the IONIQ family — IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 9 — represents the brand's dedicated battery-electric platform (E-GMP). The N performance sub-brand, launched in 2012, produces hot-hatch and EV variants of select models. Hyundai Motor Group trades on the Korea Exchange. Recall data for every Hyundai VIN is reported to NHTSA, and EPA fuel-economy ratings, IIHS Top Safety Pick designations and J.D. Power Initial Quality Studies (where Hyundai has consistently ranked in the top three) provide independent benchmarks. ForCar.org decodes any Hyundai VIN to surface trim, factory options, open recalls and original window-sticker MSRP.
Chung Ju-yung founded Hyundai Engineering and Construction in 1947 and established Hyundai Motor Company in 1967 with technical assistance from Ford. The 1975 Pony, designed by ex-British Leyland designer George Turnbull, was Korea's first independently designed and exported car. Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, introduced in 1998, restored consumer confidence after early-1990s quality complaints and remains in place today.
| Hyundai | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founded by | Chung Ju-yung |
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Owned by | Hyundai Motor Group |
| Slogan | «New Thinking. New Possibilities.» |
| Models tracked here | 35 (1986–2026) |
| Assembled in | 2 countries |
Technology it is known for: E-GMP electric platform, SmartSense driver assistance, Smartstream engine family, Hyundai Bluelink connected services, 800V ultra-fast charging architecture.
This page covers Hyundai Motor Company, the automaker — not the broader Hyundai Group conglomerate (shipbuilding, construction, electronics) from which it was spun off in 2003.
Where Hyundai cars are actually built
A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 47,813 vehicles on record, 19 distinct manufacturer codes.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | KMH, KM8, KND, KNH | 1986–2026 | |
| the United States | 5NP, 5NM, 5XY, 5NT | 1997–2026 |
Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A Hyundai beginning 5NP was assembled in the United States.
All Hyundai models 35
Every Hyundai model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
Hyundai SUVs & crossovers 11
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2001–2026 | 109 | 7,521 | 36 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 2020–2026 | 33 | 2,282 | 34 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2005–2026 | 76 | 2,642 | 50 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Kona | 2018–2026 | 27 | 748 | 120 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | 2022–2026 | 16 | 305 | 25 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 2022–2026 | 21 | 1,264 | 115 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | 2026–2026 | 2 | — | 92 mpg | 5.0/5 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | 2013–2018 | 23 | 1,237 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | 2025–2026 | 1 | 18 | 78 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Veracruz | 2007–2013 | 30 | 657 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Elantra Touring | 2010–2010 | 4 | 451 | 26 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Hyundai Cars & sedans 24
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra | 1992–2026 | 116 | 9,023 | 54 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 1989–2026 | 150 | 16,071 | 52 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Accent | 1995–2026 | 65 | 2,111 | 36 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Hyundai Venue | 2020–2026 | 8 | 137 | 32 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Genesis | 2009–2016 | 25 | 1,420 | 22 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Veloster | 2012–2021 | 21 | 1,278 | 31 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 2023–2026 | 13 | 126 | 140 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Elantra N | 2022–2026 | 7 | 37 | 34 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Genesis Coupe | 2010–2016 | 22 | 163 | 24 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Hyundai Tiburon | 1997–2008 | 28 | 791 | 24 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 2017–2026 | 22 | 1 | 136 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Equus | 2011–2016 | 7 | 97 | 18 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Veloster N | 2019–2022 | 6 | 80 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Kona N | 2022–2026 | 3 | 11 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Elantra GT | 2017–2020 | 12 | 1,165 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Azera | 2006–2018 | 41 | 711 | 23 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Excel | 1986–1994 | 26 | 451 | 28 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Hyundai Scoupe | 1991–1995 | 4 | 8 | 27 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Entourage | 2006–2014 | 11 | 286 | 21 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai XG350 | 2002–2005 | 7 | — | 19 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Pony | 1986–1989 | — | — | 27 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai XG300 | 2001–2001 | 4 | 64 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe XL | 2019–2026 | 2 | 25 | 21 mpg | 5.0/5 |
| Hyundai Xcient | 2023–2026 | 1 | — | 37 mpg | 4.5/5 |
Hyundai by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | Hyundai | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 943 campaigns | Most recalled: Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| Owner complaints | 44,849+ filed | Most reported: Sonata |
| Fuel economy | 140 mpg best | Leader: Ioniq 6 |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ top rated | 8 models tested by NHTSA |
| Insurance | $1,600/yr typical | Cheapest: Entourage |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
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Hyundai hybrids & electric models
Hyundai's electrified lineup — 6 hybrids and 7 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.
Hyundai hybrids 6
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2001–2026 | 36 | 109 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 2020–2026 | 34 | 33 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Elantra | 1992–2026 | 54 | 116 | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2005–2026 | 50 | 76 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 1989–2026 | 52 | 150 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 2017–2026 | 136 | 22 | 4.5/5 |
Hyundai electric & plug-in 7
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson | 2005–2026 | 50 | 76 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Kona | 2018–2026 | 120 | 27 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 2022–2026 | 115 | 21 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 2023–2026 | 140 | 13 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | 2026–2026 | 92 | 2 | 5.0/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 2017–2026 | 136 | 22 | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | 2025–2026 | 78 | 1 | 4.5/5 |
Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.
Get a Hyundai window sticker by VIN
Recreate any Hyundai's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
Hyundai window stickers →How to read a Hyundai VIN
Every Hyundai built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Hyundai and the country it was built in (real Hyundai codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- South KoreaKM8 · KMF · KMH · KMT · KMU · KPH
- USA5NM · 5NP · 5NT · U5Y
- SingaporePFD
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. Run it through our free VIN lookup to turn those digits into a model year, an assembly plant and a country of origin.
Who owns Hyundai, and what you get
Hyundai belongs to Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai competes across mainstream passenger segments against Toyota, Honda, Ford and Nissan, with the price-versus-feature value proposition central to its US positioning. Genesis is Hyundai Motor Group's luxury brand, sold separately. The N performance sub-brand competes with Volkswagen R, Honda Type R and Subaru WRX. Hyundai's 2024-2026 EV expansion targets a 12-model IONIQ-branded lineup by 2030.
| Hyundai | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Ownership | Hyundai Motor Group |
| Basic warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 10 years / 100,000 miles |
| Assembly countries | South Korea, United States |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 5 years / 60,000 miles. See when Hyundai models actually start to break →
Hyundai — frequently asked
Is Hyundai korean?
Hyundai is a Korean company, headquartered in Seoul and founded in 1967. The cars are a separate question: 54.6% of the Hyundai vehicles in our records were assembled in South Korea.
Where are Hyundai cars made?
Across 19 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: South Korea (54.6%), the United States (44.9%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.
Who owns Hyundai?
Hyundai is part of Hyundai Motor Group.
How many Hyundai models are there?
We track 35 Hyundai models spanning 1986–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the Hyundai warranty?
New vehicles come with 5 years / 60,000 miles basic cover and 10 years / 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is Hyundai reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Hyundai model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.