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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  quality control needed - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By michael Hollander - May 28 - 12:06 pm

  My new Hyundai has 4500 miles and has been in the shop five times. It is in the shop now (three days so far). It looks good, drives well, has horrible gas mileage (averages 15 m.p.g.).I have owned Ford Explorers, Jeep Grand Cherokees, two Acura MDX, and now this. There is a unfixable squeak on both front doors when your elbows tough them .

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  Best car owned to date - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Redstone - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned the car for two weeks. So far I cant find anything wrong with it. If I ever do my 100,000 mile warrenty should cover it.

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  My Sonata Sienna - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tina Sarotte - May 27 - 2:20 am

  I call it my sonata sienna because I really loved the looks of that van but when I discovered the sonata I was really impressed! I forgot about my sienna and went straight for the sonata. I purchased that for a steal deal I bought it for $24,112. And the sticker was $27,445. My payment is $347 a month for almost a limited. Not bad. Ive had no problems with it at all and Ive already had for two months. Its roomy, stylish, reliable everything a mother wants in a vehicle. I was a van mom but forget Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Dodge, Kia all of them I love my sonata and I recommend it to anyone. Trust me:)

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  I Love my new SE - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By HeavyRightFoot - May 26 - 5:56 pm

  I loved driving this from the moment I pulled it out of the dealership! This V6 is extremely responsive, the shifter is nice and tight, and Im as comfortable and secure in my seat in tight curves at high speeds as I am on the straightaway. The new colors from 07 are awesome, and Ive gotten a lot of complements at my infrequent fuel stops.

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  Had a 2011 Tucson. 2016 not worth it - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By DM - May 26 - 6:10 am

  I traded in my 2011 Hyundai Tucson and regretted it very fast. I had never had an issue with my 2011, so I decided to get a newer and better version and it was a big mistake. Within 2 weeks it was in the shop. It stalls occasionally which is extremely dangerous, the air condition starts throwing out hot air and then goes back to cold after a while. the RPMs go up and down, but the shop hasnt found anything wrong with it. It is in the shop again, and hopefully this time they will be able to fix it and find exactly what is wrong with it. It also has a few recalls which are said to cause accidents. I do not advise anyone to but this car until it is completely fixed.

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  Excellent car for the Money!! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Susan - May 26 - 3:26 am

  I had owned a Hyundai Sonata 2007 but unfortunately totaled my car in an accident in December. I just loved that car and my heart broke! I didnt have to think twice about what car I would get. I went straight to Atlantic Hyundai and purchased another Sonata 2010. I got a terrific price, $2500 off. The interior of the car has improved and the sound system is great. It feels solid when you drive it and gives a smooth ride. The features on the steering wheel are great too and have improved from the 2007 models. It feels like a sturdier car. I LOVE IT!!!

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  2010 Tuscon Limited - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Terrie - May 25 - 6:06 am

  This car drives like dream. The inside is fully loaded and the outside looks like a car that could cost more then 10k what we purchased for the car. The car is beautiful!! Best car we have owned better than any Toyota we have owned for the last 17 years.

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  oil burner - 1990 Hyundai Sonata
  By bns - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This car has always started for me and has been reliable. But for some reason the engine has become a OIL BURNER. I feel that this pre-mature for a car that only has 93000 miles. Perhaps the 4 CYL engine was not appropiate for the Sonata. The power windows dont operate very well.

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  Love My Tib - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By dlehman - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I often wondered why only high-priced vehicles had the little extras that made you take notice --- that made you say "Ooooh! Nice!! What is this?" Why wouldnt an automaker offer some of the same "luxuries" to the average consumer? I had reached the point where a vehicle was purely utilitarian. Then - -- I found the Hyundai Tiburon! And now I love driving again! I am sooooo impressed with the quality, styling and details in this car. Hyundai gives you a great bang for your buck! It looks good - it feels good! Its fun to drive! And at a price I can afford! (The admiring looks and comments are pretty nice too!)

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By pappy - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car, Very glad we bought it.