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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  Great Car for Value Oriented Drivers - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By NFerre - March 16 - 12:16 pm

  My wife needed a new car because her 95 Accord was on its last legs. We knew the day was coming, so we has already been researching vehicles, and the combination of price features, and warranty put the Accent at the top of the list. We ended up purchasing her a Hyundai Certified car with 4500 miles and an automatic. The car is very well built, and handles well for a lightweight economy car. The engine, wgile no speed demon, etc the job done, even at 80 MPH plus highway cruising. Dont let the lack of ABS scare you if you are looking at the Accent, the car stops just fine. Build quality is far better than one expects at this price point. We bought a second one to replace my 1994 BMW 325is.

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  MOST HONEST REVIEW = B+ Grade - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By 4.6 Honest Review - March 15 - 3:24 pm

  Driving: the car drives very good - it compares to much more expensive cars like Audi, Mercedes (not BMWs stiff ride which I do not like). Interior comfort is very good, soft leather seats (that need a bit more support). Lots of rear seat room for 3 adults. I have the tech package and to use the radio you must go through the "mouse" hand control -- unsafe when driving & miserable when it could be so easy with standard controls---same with navigation system (give us the "touch screen also Hyundai), but it does have a Nice big screen. My gas mileage is averaging 21 mpg - good for this size car. Consumer reports says reliability is only average on the v-8

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  Best car for the money - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Best car in catagory - March 13 - 11:43 pm

  Bought the car a week a go drove it about 1000 miles and it does not drive like a compact car its more like a full size ride, getting around 37mph mixed city/hwy .Tested several cars and it beat the others out so we bought it.this 4cyl is quiet even at 80 mph and plenty fast enough on take off,car is roomy smooth ride what else could you ask for. Review,s are about right except for the ones selling other brands trying to ho do you.

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  Very good - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By xCourtneyx - March 13 - 10:07 pm

  Great car! I looked at Mazda3s, Honda Fits and Civics and hands down better of all them! Much more quiet and while not as quick as the Civic or 3, a much better feeling.

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  Just purchased my new Elantra - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By KC_Ryan - March 12 - 4:18 pm

  Just purchased a new Natural Khaki GLS and Im thrilled. I feel like I got a really good deal on the car too. Got it for $14250.00 and with the admin fee it was only $14,600.00. I was ill-prepared for the hard sell on the extended warranty so I purchased one but canceled it the very next day so Im happy about that as well. The car drives great and seems like it will get great gas mileage. My wife and I drive mostly on the interstates but I really havent noticed the suspension issues that have been brought up here. It drives as smooth as any any other short-wheel base vehicle that doesnt have a sport-tuned suspension.

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  2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dill - March 12 - 11:34 am

  Overall decent car, gas mileage isnt what was advertised 25-30, have consistently gottn 23-24 mostly highway. Issues with the transmission shift from day 1, dealer said its normal. Tires held up real nice, 65,000 miles. Sound proofing and suspension could use some work. Hear road noises and noise from the sun roof. Brakes dont hold up well either.

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  great car - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By lynne Witnauer - March 12 - 7:31 am

  I get 38 mpg plenty of power more than Toyota I paid 9900 dollars for car a new radio for the car is 170 dollars warranty is the best interior and exterior very Nice plenty of room inside great design inside and out I am very happy with car

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  Keeper - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris - March 11 - 5:32 pm

  Bought new and havent had a single problem to date (150K). Dealer serviced for oil changes every 3k since I got a "free oil changes as long as you own the car" when I bought it. That deal stopped when the dealer changed ownership but the dealership was great all that time. Overall extremely pleased, more so when considering the price and class of the vehicle.

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  A REAL HEAD TURNER - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By IronRock - March 11 - 12:46 pm

  I have had my 4.6 (tech package and every option available) for less than 2 months and so far I have nothing but the highest praise for this car. Its fun tor drive, loads of power in comparison to the 350 MB and 350 LX that I test drove before choosing the Genesis. The nav system is easy to use and the audio system is definitely comparable with the systems in cars costing thousands more. I plan to drive to Miami in June which will give me a chance to test it on a long drive. So far, I am extremely pleased with the car and happy that I chose it over the MB/LX. GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY!!!

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  Comfortable and fun - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike B - March 11 - 12:00 pm

  I have owned the Sonata for 2-1/2 years and I enjoy. The only thing I wished for is better MPG with the V6. No issues at all, I am at 32,000 miles still have original tires and brakes. This is the largest Mid-Size sedan I have ever owned or been in.