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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  Very pleased so far. Had car 4 months. - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By ElantraownerfromFL - May 16 - 12:29 am

  Got a great Black Friday deal for a new SE. Was happy with my 2 Kia Optimas I had in the past. Like Kia / Hyundai warranty. I like everything about my Elantra, except the fact that since the car was on the BOAT for a looong time, from Korea, the tires had FLAT SPOTTING, which impacted the cars ride. Test drive carefully. Dealer wouldnt fix. Frustrating. And, VERY ANNOYING and FRUSTRATED, that the BACK UP camera was not included in the SE model.

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  Great First Car!!! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By SF - May 15 - 6:00 pm

  I just bought his car yesterday and I am really excited about the purchase. I did a lot of research and after considering used and other makes, I settled on the Consumer Reports #1 small sedan. Car looks great (ie it looks expensive and is a big "small" sedan). Drives great and the power package is a great value. Im graduating from college on Monday and this car looks young but not too young (like a Fit or Versa) so Ill be able to feel like a grown up in it :) Purchase price was 14,200+ TTL. I considered the college grad program ($13,500; 8.9% apr, 60 months, no money down, 45 days to first payment, etc.) but I got a lower apr through a bank. Shop around for best financing.

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  2.0T AWD - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By donnie71281 - May 15 - 12:53 pm

  I am extremely happy with this CUV. The AWD works very well and has already proved itself in the snow. Previous car was a 2011 Optima Turbo, so I am very well acquainted with the 2.0T. Even with 10hp less and weighing several hundred pounds more the Santa Fe feels nimble and has plenty of power. The highway Mpg is less than my optima was, but I am getting roughly the same in city. Still fill-up every two weeks as I did before and we live in WV. My better half has the 2.4 with AWD and loves it too. The only thing I miss are the blinkers on the mirrors, but I wasnt adding another package just for that.

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  Best in Class for Sure - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Joemamma - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Awsome performance and styling! Thoroughly enjoy this vehicle. Two drawbacks; the seats are not so comfortable (could use more padding) and for an old fart like me (and my wife, but dont tell her this) it is a little difficult to get out of. Other than that, I love this car!

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  Absolutely Amazing @ Its Price - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By smith20 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is an amazing vehicle. The build and quality are very good for an economy small car. Everything is tight, feels substantial, and looks pleasant or even attractive. I really like the hatchbacks exterior profile. The warranty and roadside assistance are unmatched by anyone else. Bottom line is this car is very well built, looks great, and drives great and has an *UNBEATABLE* price! If you like to drive well, but not pay a premium to do so, check this car out! We have NO regrets so far since purchasing our Elantra; we think thats a great sign that we made the right choice! My wife and I alternate who drives so we can both enjoy it!

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  The Sonata - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hammerhead - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great Car Nice features roomy interior under powered smooth ride and quiet interior and great price

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  My Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By PainKillJen - May 14 - 10:00 am

  It is a very comfortable, reliable vechile. It looks expensive, but I have a fully loaded model that was inexpensive. You get a lot for your money and who can beat the 10 year warranty?

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  first saved life, so I bought 2nd - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By skyeprincess2000 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  drivers door crashed in by car going 50mph and I survived with just a scratch on my finger. I owe it to my Sonata and both air bags deploying. Several people thought I was dead at the scene and searched for that driver who was gone, I said, that was me as I walked outside of the car. They were shocked! I had problems buying the second car at Glassman in Southfield but great success at LaFontaine in dearborn. Will buy a third when the car changes or I become tired of it. Great car, awesome dealership!

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  Love my Sonata..... - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Deed110 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This car has it all....style,comfort and the price was right.I have an explorer and in bad weather always used it.One night I was out and we had an un- expected snow storm, well the TCS kicked right in and I didnt have any problems, I wasnt even nervous driving in the storm.I love my Sonata and this is coming from someone who loved her truck.

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  cost to maintain - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By dan marshall - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car but costly to repair, recomended maintance should not be a hinderence yet it is.