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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  Best Choice - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By jennydee - August 18 - 12:02 am

  This is my first car. Throughout my search I test drove many different cars such as the civic, corolla,etc. but found for the money, the elantra was def the way to go. Now having driven this car for a year I am completely happy with my decision. I am in college and do high mileage. Amazing on fuel, smooth ride, can be a little loud but def not that big of a concern. I am a tall person and this car fits me perfect. Very spacious. I would def recommend this car to anyone looking for a sedan with all the best qualities in one low price compared. Especially with the amazing warranties that Hyundai offers you would be absolutely crazy to go anywhere else.

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  So far so good. - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Clayman100 - August 17 - 9:46 pm

  This is my first SUV and 6 cyl. car so Im having to make some adjustments. I really like the solid feel of the Tucson. Its very quiet driving down the hiway, feels like Im gliding. Takes bumps and dips with ease. My friends like the extra room in the rear seats. Wish the rear windows were not tinted as its harder to park at night but, I may like it better in the summer.

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  good little car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By robert - August 17 - 9:39 pm

  I have had my car for 4 years and put 150000 miles on it I am on my 4th set of tires found out not all tires work on this car have had a brake caliper stick right front that wore that pad out quick it was fixed under warranty just drove to Indiana from texas and back 2000 round trip and on a couple tanks of gas got 41 miles per gallon I have enjoyed this car and would buy another for the price been very dependable never left me stranded on the road like some other cars have

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  Lovin the mpg! - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By tinybubbles - August 17 - 2:55 pm

  got this car with the C4C (cash for clunkers) $4500 that I got for my 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. What a deal! This car is great for the money spent. LOVE the way it handles and I get 33mpg in mixed city/hwy driving. Cant beat that. Odd mix of features - has power windows, power locks, low tire pressure indicator, six airbags but no cruise control! Overall I cant complain - the warranty is great, too. Take a serious look at this car especially if youre doing the C4C deal.

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  Great car. - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jeannie - August 17 - 2:21 pm

  I really love this car. The price was great. I got every option you could purchase and it is alot of fun to drive. The Nav system is superior. I think the Nav system is overpriced but worth it for me. The only complaint I have is about the road noise. I could really tell the difference between this car and my old car when I went thru the car wash. It was much louder. My old car was a Lincoln LS. To get a comparable Lincoln I would have had to spend about $10,000 more.

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  They have to get better at service - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Fred - August 16 - 10:23 am

  So today I went to Power Hyundai in Scottsdale AZ for my first service. My NAV/Radio were fine. They tried to apply the T63 update and after three tries quit because the second DVD of 3 was rejected. The technicians called Hyundai tech support all day and got no response from the tech people. My radio is OK but NAV stopped working and all works Verrrrry slooooowly. They promise to get this fixed. My beef is with Hyundai tech support. What right do they have not to call back all day to a dealership needing help? I called the consumer line and was told by the only person I could reach that he would call a regional manager- obviously a useless ploy. Hyundai needs to get organized/return calls!!

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  BUY ONE - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By BIG TIBBY - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Overall Im extremely impressed with this vehicle. Not only is it far from overpriced, its priced exactly right. Anything cheaper and youd start to wonder. I get oooos and aaawwwws everywhere I go. I just put a cold air kit and exhaust, and I cant wait for the chip. This car is just plain old fun.

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  This car is awesome!!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By kbdancergrl - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this car last night and I love it already! This is my first stick shift and it only took a couple of hours to learn. After first, its really smooth. I would suggest anyone looking for an exciting car to get this one! Have fun!

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  Great Buy - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By So Far So Good - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I was a bit hesitant to buy a Hyundai after years of hearing of their shoddy quality, but the warranty soothed my fears. Went looking at Accords and Camrys, and was talked into taking the Sonata for a test drive. I liked it much better than the other two, and the styling has them beat hands down. You absolutely cannot beat the value of this car. Same features in a Honda or Toyota will run you $5k more. Very pleased with this purchase.

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  new entourage - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Morpheus0052 - August 15 - 9:42 am

  I bought my entourage 6 months ago, limited. it is the best part of our trip, everyone is comfortable, room for things cups you name it. the trunk always has space to spare, not mentioning the center area in the rear, the side space between the seats and the door is grand. and the dvd system blows me away. besides it has inputs for consoles or anything else. it is by far the most quiet, stable, economic, fun to ride and drive and powerful (consider the engine size) car that I have ever ridden. I cant wait to take another trip. and for everyday use in the city. economy is better than the competition.