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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  Impressed with my Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Linda in Sacramento - February 19 - 3:50 am

  I have to say that I was impressed with my Hyundai when I was rear ended on my way to work one morning. I had only had my van for three months. I was stopped for traffic at a red light. The other car was traveling around 45 mph when it hit me. His car was totaled and mine just had a scuffed and torn up bumper, which also destroyed all the electical equipment installed in the bumper for the back-up system. I was very impressed with the slight amound of damage to my vehicle as safety was a big feature for me when I purchased the Hyundai. It certainly exceded my expectations.

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  Great car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rick Burton - February 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Sonata. I had a 95 GLS V6 way back when and never had a problem with that one. I have had this one for a bit over a month (GLS V6) and love it. The car is smooth as silk. My only complaints would be the poor (19mpg) mileage around town and the fact that the o/s mirrors are not breakaway, a feature the 2005 Sonata did have. I got mine with the premium package. The vehicle is very quiet, but the 17" tires/wheel do have more noise than I prefer. The standard tires are not nearly as noisy, so if you dont like tire noise, get the standard tires. I would have done so myself, but it was included in the premium package and I really did want the sunroof and the upgrade mirror

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  Toyota Highlander Convert - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Southern AZ - February 18 - 1:10 am

  Only had it for one week & less than 500 miles, but enjoy the quiet ride and luxury touches. Plenty of room, power is decent, mileage is better than posted on sticker, very comfortable. Had some rear end noise...fixed that with a $5 can of undercoat. Paint, interior 7 exterior joints are good...seems to be built well. Never thought that I would buy a Hyundai after owning 3 Highlanders, pleasantly surprised!

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  i got a lemon - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kat - February 17 - 7:10 pm

  this poor vehicle has been in the shop so much. i experienced it dead in my driveway 3x in my first year, problems with the tire pressure indicator light, replacement of a stereo which was draining the battery (4 trips to diagnose and replace), and air conditioning which would not blow out the top vents. after a year, i am trading, or lemon lawing it.

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  2nd Santa Fe in 4 years and still amazed - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Disciple1971 - February 17 - 6:20 pm

  This is my second Santa Fe and 3rd Hyundai in 4 years. My first was a 2002 GLS 2.7L AWD and I loved it. I traded for this one because I got a really good deal and am not as fond as others over the new bodystyle. Somehow they managed to give even more bang for the buck without compromising anything. My other had 47,300 miles with no major problems over the course. I am confident that this one will do the same. One thing that I have noticed is that a K & N air filter is worth the investment with these things. I am confident in this vehicle and recommend it to anyone who might be considering buying one. I was a skeptic in 2002 but now am a Hyundai-loyalist.

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  Santa Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SJ - February 17 - 10:00 am

  The Santa Fe has excllent handling and excellent acceleration. Although considered to be underpowered most rumors are based in fiction. The interior is much bigger than other SUV in its class.

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  EXCELLENT VEHICLE - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By PCS - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car for the price. Alot of features for the price. Highly recommend. You wont regret it.

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  Great safety features and gas mileage! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Angelique - February 17 - 3:15 am

  The only things I can complain about are as follows: traction was poor in the snow until I bought all season tires (I would suggest you do the same if you live in a snowy state); brakes were better after I had new ones installed; interior is basic, no heated seats or anything- but comfortable enough; poor placement of drive shift when you want to access car charger or front console storage and air conditioner/heat vents are not placed that great for the driver. Other than these minor tweaks- I found the car to be enjoyable to drive and pleasant to look at. Mainly bought it for gas mileage and safety ratings- which are still great after 5 years.

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  Love It! - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jeff W - February 17 - 2:03 am

  I was originally looking at a more expensive sports car, but found that they werent very comfortable. The Tiburon was different. While not a Mercedes sedan, I found that Im comfortable driving it (By the way, Im 63" and 275 lbs). Its also the best buy around for the cost.

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  shark attack - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By shark attack - February 17 - 1:43 am

  i was looking for a 4 cyl one but the dealer said that the gas mileage is 28/gallon, and the 6 is 24/gallon. since it wasnt much of a difference he sold it. what i like is that if you want to customize it with body kits or whatever, theres so many options out there to do so. i love the sound system, i like the smooth quite ride with great handling and when im driving it on the streets i get so many people to turn there heads which is pretty cool. of course mine is custom but what im saying is if you dont have alot of money this is your car. i had a lamborgini trying to race me, i didnt but it made me laugh.