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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  One Hell Of A Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ronnie Harrison - May 5 - 7:13 pm

  I first saw the 2006 Hyundai on a T.V. Commercial. The body styling impressed me th most. It looked a lot better than the Accord & Camrys. The exhaust system isnt dangling underneath it as the Accord. Its not cheaply put together and it has nothing that takes away from its physique such as a cheap radio antenna protruding off the front end. Dollar for dollar, the 2006 Sonata leaps ahead of the competition. Hats off to the designers, Ive got nothing but compliments and that warranty is unmatched. Losing my Chevy Tahoe for the Sonata has been worth it!

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  Hyundai serves notice to Lexus - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Victor - May 5 - 10:50 am

  If I remove the Hyundai badge on this vehicle, it would be hard to guess who built this vehicle - it is that good. I love the vehicle. Best value for the money in this segment.

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  reliable! - 1993 Hyundai Elantra
  By amychen - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned--never needed any repairs beyond what is expected. I drove it about 1000 miles a week for more than two years, with no problems.

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  Hyundai Tuscon - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Karmen Holmes - May 4 - 7:06 pm

  I have had nothing but fun driving my car. It has gone from Alabama to Texas and back. And has also gone to South Carolina and back. It gave me no trouble. The only adjustment Ive had to make is gas. I went from a 10 gallon tank to a 17 gallon. I want to drive it all the time. Even when someone says theyll pick me up, I tell them that Ill meet them there. Thanks

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  first time owner - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jrice - May 4 - 9:10 am

  i never thought i would own a foreign vehicle, but after test driving the santa fe, and the ford edge. i had to buy the santa fe. i owned an explorer, and hated the gas mileage, and the sluggish handling. the santa fe is a very pleasurable experience to drive.

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  Great Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Guinev - May 4 - 2:00 am

  THis is a wonderfully reliable car for the price. I love my Hyundai! It is a wonderful car, but the transmission can be a bit sluggish. But hey, for that price, I can totally handle that!

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  Ford is the past! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pam - May 3 - 3:56 pm

  Ive driven Fords for the past 25 years and I fell in love with the Taurus, however it had major engine, trans and elect. problems with poor warranties. Ive had the Sonata 5 days now and need to get used to the stiff steering of the Sonata, the body style of 2010 is bland, but the interior rocks with the XM radio, auto sunroof and roomy design. Great price the the car including good warranty. .

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  Hyundai Warranty - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By mmm22 - May 3 - 6:56 am

  This warranty is a joke. It is not more than a selling tool. The quality of the car is poor. I spent more money repairing Sonata 2009, V6 than at Honda 2002. At 64000 miles the alternator had to be replaced as result if front valve oil leak. Contacted Hyundai who refused to pay for the cost of the repair. Trust me do not buy Hyundai made cars. The warranty is useless. Quality of the car is not good, oil leakage seems to be a problem with the Sonatas.

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  Dont Buy This Car -- Head for the hills - 1990 Hyundai Sonata
  By Poopdeck90210 - May 3 - 2:00 am

  My 1990 Hyundai Sonata was a disaster. This car totally sucked. Every part of this car malfunctioned just after it went out of warranty -- including the battery and the stereo system. I spent more time in the service department for this car than I did going to the grocery store every week. *SIGH*

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  Nice vehicle, but shifts like an earthquake - 2017 Hyundai TUCSON
  By John - May 2 - 8:11 pm

  Took it for a test drive along with its sister the Kia Sportage. I think Hyundai screwed it up when they went to the 7 speed tranny. Hopefully Kia wont do it to its next year model