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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  Good Solid Car - 1995 Hyundai Accent
  By modee - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This was my second Hyundai, and it was a great choice. I have been driving this car for seven years, and it is still like new to me. There have been no unpleasant surprises, just regular maintenance. The ride is a little rough, so that you seem to be going much faster than you are (which is good for folks like me who drive too fast), but other than that it has really great drivability. And, it has a cute butt.

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  Driving is fun again - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By David C. - July 9 - 11:43 pm

  After 25 years of driving practical sedans and minivans I finally decided to get something with a bit more spunk and style. After looking over the usual players, the GC really surprised me in terms of value and just plain fun. Now I actually look forward to driving to/from work, or running errands for the Mrs.

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  Gotta Love The Price... - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark - July 9 - 8:20 pm

  We paid $13,000.00 out on the road! This car out performed and had more standard options than the Ford Focus and other like cars. This is my daughters first car. Only down side is the base model has no CD player. This is 2005, all cars should have a CD player as standard equipment. The $600. up grade is not worth it. I am looking at the 2006 to replace my Honda Accord next year. Looks the same drives better, cost less and has they 100k warranty... Hyundai sure has risen to the top...

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  Amazing Car, Amazing Price - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By RRM - July 8 - 3:56 pm

  This Car first grabbed my attention for its style, I wanted a sports car with a sleek and sexy design, this car definitely has it. It drives really smooth, but it could use more pick up and power. it is average in gas mileage, but considering it is a V-6, I expected that. It handles really well on the turns, and the michelin tires are the perfect touch for superior road hugging capabilities, they do ride hard over bumps though, all in all this car is a highly recommended ride it delivers performance, sought after features, reliability, and it just a beautiful car that gets alot of second looks. compared to cars in its class, the Tib, is in my opinion, the best car for the money.

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  pretty good - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By dysine - July 7 - 10:16 pm

  pretty good for this price.

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  mrs. ronald phillips - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By helen phillips - July 7 - 7:30 pm

  good compact suv. comfortable, and economical and within a family price range. the fold down seats are excellent for the business.

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  Great engine and transmission--well built! - 2017 Hyundai Accent
  By Tom - July 7 - 8:13 am

  The 1.6 engine and 6 speed auto makes this car a great value! It is solid and gets you from point A to B easily! The seats are comfortable and supportive. The stereo really sounds decent for a small car. The warranty is the best and can be expanded to a 10 year 120,000 bumper to bumper! You wont find that with any other small car!

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  2002 Sonata Base 4cyl-put to the test - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By dc3256 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  After putting 40K on my 2002, Ive got to say it has handled everything very well. They say the 4cyl is loud and noisy, but I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary. Great all around. Dissapointed that I had to replace and pay for new Front Brakes at 30k. Bulb went out at 35k and they replaced that for free. no problems or hassles with that.

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  Loud Bang For The Buck - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By MoTioN1 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Hyundai, and the Sonata are ready for PRIME TIME. Well appointed, great fit and finish and delivers very good gas milage. The Accord, and the Camry may be a bit more polished, but Ill settle for a smiggin less shine and thousnads less any time. The Warranty is incredible. Hyundai has done its homework.

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  dangerous car - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By stefanie norton - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I liked my Sonata until it spontaneously caught fire for no reason!! The car was not even running, it was off!! I hope they find the problem and recall these cars. We were bringing it in for problems all the time. The warranty doesnt cover fire damage!! Dont get a Sonata, they catch on fire for no reasone!!