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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  THIS CAR IS AWESOME!!!! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jclink - July 20 - 12:27 pm

  I bought my Sonata GLS V6 in January 09 and Ive had it for about 6 months now...and let me tell you...I absolutely love this car! It has all the right features of a luxury car except not the luxury price. I ALWAYS get compliments on my car and when its washed (mine is pearl white with a hint of sparkle) you better believe it will turn heads! Even though some people may say they want more horsepower, I dont think the Sonata needs it...if they want more horsepower they need to get a used Mustang! However, I lie to you not that I raced a guy on a Suzuki motorcycle (fully loaded) and I beat him going about 135mph!!! I kidd you not...go out and purchase a Sonata GLS V6 if you want quality!

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  Great Value - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By DeeDee - July 20 - 9:36 am

  Shopped almost every CUV out there. Dealership, Key Hyundai in Florida is big part of reason we purchased. Warranty and way the car is put together are other reasons. Very comfortable on short or long trips. Interior rivals that of more expensive cars. Only have 1600 miles on it and only disappointment is the MPG. Average is 20.8 MPG. Was hoping to get an average of 24.0 MPG. But understand that it is Limited with AWD. First non Jeep we drove in 20 years. We are retired and this vehicle fits our needs. Coming from a car background I would recommend Hyundai to any consumer.

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  The Smooth Drive - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Larry Ballow - July 20 - 7:06 am

  Real pleasure to drive with great feel and comfort!! The smoothest ride on the highway...Bravo to the Sonata!! Love the car

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  40k and rock solid ride - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bob - July 20 - 12:26 am

  We have 40k on our Santa Fe and the ride is still rock solid and rattle free.

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  Very Impressive!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By kw88keys - July 18 - 1:23 pm

  Have owned one month. Very pleased with the car. Lots of power for the money with quick acceleration and torque at all speed ranges. Corners very nicely with firm control. Interestingly, when I first purchased, the ride was very mushy around corners and I was somewhat dissappointed. Found the tires to be 15-20 lbs under- inflated and corrected. Now corners like my previous Benz. Traded in an Impala LS for this and SO much more car! So far, Ive had more admiring comments from strangers on the looks than most cars Ive owned (only topped by the Benz and a Supra). Most garage employees (live in NYC) think it is a Lexus and they see everything. Steering, braking, fit/finish all A+. Stereo A+.

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  More BANG for the buck!! - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By JIM M. - July 18 - 12:41 pm

  We bought this fine vehicle on August 4th,2008 and been very satisfied with it in all respects except one - a bumpy shift from lower gears to drive. While I find this to be irritating it still does not diminish my enjoying my Azera.

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  A wonderful Car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jose R - July 18 - 12:20 am

  I bought this car for about 42K even. And I can not say enough about this car. It has everything I would ever want and then some. I can say for sure that the engine is very powerful and the handling is great.

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  white shark ! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ckez>>> - July 16 - 2:00 am

  ..i got a white one...its a neat car..cheap too ..considering quality of it...a true sport car

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  New 04 GLS auto sedan is just right! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By RM&J - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Hyundai did their homework by slightly revising the 04 model with an updated interior that "works" just right! Instrument controls, seat comfort, stereo sound, quiet cabin, visibility, a/c -- all make for an excellent ride. The updated exterior is also just right and "works" to make this a sharp looking car! My wife and I are so impressed with this car over the corolla we traded in, we just cant believe we got such a nice car for the money! The review that Edmunds has given this car is right on target -- dont pass this one up if youre looking at a civic or corolla. Good job Hyundai!

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  Excellent value - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By UMDFAN - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Have had the Santa Fe for 2 months...no problems at all.