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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  I love my car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sharon - June 7 - 11:19 am

  I bought my car brand new and have had all required service completed as suggested. To date I have had no problems with my car. I have 84 thousand miles on it and hope it keeps on going. My next car will most likely be another Elantra or a Sonata depending on cost .

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  AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By SGTUSMC - June 6 - 8:13 pm

  Traded an 07 Buick Lucerne CXS in on this Azera about a month ago. I had been researching and test driving earlier versions of it. Traded it in on an 08 Azera Limited with the Ultimate Package. The Azera is a drivers car it performs and handles excellently. I have added mp3 (wireless) and a lip spoiler, etc. Gangbusters. SemperFi

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  Smooth ride - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Peggy - June 6 - 12:29 pm

  Dont get the light interior

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  Fog Horn Blues - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By nodlev33 - June 6 - 5:57 am

  Bought my Sonata Limited 2.4 Turbo new in 2011. Initial pulling to the left was remedied by local alignment. With 36K on the odometer I noticed a foghorn-like sound emitting from under the hood whenever coming to a stop, and when the outside temperature was high. Initially, I suspected the brake system but then happened to come to a full stop, shift into neutral, and increase rpms. Voila!!! The turbocharger. A couple of days at the local Hyundai dealer, and all was perfect. The problem has thankfully not re-occurred.

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  Awesome Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian - June 5 - 8:53 pm

  I just bought my 2011 Limited Sonata. Black exterior with black leather interior. Best car I have ever had. Looks and drives like you paid for a BMW. Cannot go wrong with this car. This is my 4th sonata after having the 2003, 2007, and 2009. Would never think of driving anything else

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  Timing belt - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Lottie Holmes - June 5 - 2:20 am

  I need help! In the year 2006 I bought a 2007 Santa Fe. Now the timing belt needs replacing. I was told that it was not warranty? The reason that I bought the car in the first place was because of the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty! Lottie Holmes

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  Best SUV in lower price range - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tom - June 5 - 12:23 am

  This is definitely the best SUV that I can find for under 20K. The build quality is superb. I got 26 Mpg on high way. I really do not understand why some reviewers are complaining about fuel efficiency. At least I am very satisfied with 26 MPG. City MPG measure is not reliable. The control and handling is excellent, and the suspension is just right, stiffer than my Camry, which has a really soft suspension, but softer than CRV and Mazda. Cruise is comfortable.

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  Got what I hoped for - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Midwest Driver - June 3 - 7:10 pm

  The 2009 shot up to the top of the list based on its reliability reports and its price. Ive only driven it 1200 miles but am very happy with the fit & finish as well as with the loads of options. The 5 spd manual is a lot of fun with its spirited acceleration. I averaged 35 mpg on a road trip of 660 miles. The steering wheel is on the heavy side, but it nicely responsive.

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  BEST AT ANY PRICE - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By alan stone - June 2 - 12:20 pm

  my wife never gets excited about any car, but this one she loves. more leg room in the back seat then my impala or monte carlo also a smoother ride. im a easy driver, 17 miles to work 6 stoplights my average MPG 38.5 WOW. 6 new cars in the past 10 years this is the best one yet. i get a lot of looks at my 2011 sonata thank you hyundai GREAT JOB, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

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  My New Car - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hyundai made in USA - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I love the car, luxury for me compared to what I am used to. Fuel millage better than I thought I would get, XM radio a plus, will keep until free time is up. Very comfortable, sight lines are excellent, sound system is great for a rock-n-roller,