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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  Best car for the money - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Phil Magro - December 17 - 7:06 am

  I recently bought my Limited 2011 Sonata after looking at every car in the mid size category. For the money this is the best car in its class; its quite, smooth, looks great and rivals cars costing much more, and when you consider the warranty, everyone should buy one of these. I walked in ready to lease a car, but after driving and researching the Sonata, I purchased the car. My daughter has a Lexus ES/350, I call the Sonata a poor mans Lexus!

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  I LOVE IT - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Demetrius - December 17 - 2:00 am

  New for 2003 and they can only get better. This is my thrid Hyundai Coupe and by far the very best that I have ever driven. I can down to the Hyundai and the RSX Type S. I choose the smoothness of the V6 all day long.

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  Airbag - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Johnar - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Airbig wount stay on on the passanger side. Hyundai has put a light for the passanger side seat. You have to have 50# for the airbag to activate. When you drive my car it goes on & off Sometimes it stay on. I have only had it 3 weeks and in the shop 4 times. Its now a lemon the law says they have to replace the car. The dealership gave me a new one off the lot and it did the same thing. Hyundai had a man to work on it and he said it was ok NOT! So The dealership called Hyundai no answer yet. Thanks for your time John

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  transmission issues - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By jenni - December 16 - 4:16 pm

  I bought my 2006 Tiburon in November 2005 and I have loved my car, I have never had problems with it. Then my clutch started making a rattling noise that was so loud that the passengers could hear it. Once the clutch was pushed in, the noise would stop. I took it in and they told me that my entire transmission would have to be replaced. Thankfully it is covered by the 100k powertrain warranty. I did buy a K&N air filter for it, and thankfully I didnt put it in or they probably would have said that it voids the warranty. How stupid. Im not sure how many other people have had problems with their transmissions. This is obviously a defect.

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  Sports Cars @ subcompact price - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By RAKinAtlanta - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This has all the promise of the best sports car for the price since the 1979 Honda Prelude. No extras needed, all the performance and handling necessary for under 20K. Warranty can’t be beaten and dealers are making great deals to promote sales.

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  Excellent Hidden Value - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Estimator34 - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car,great fit and finish,and superb performance

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  They Broke the Code! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By RPMontgomery - December 14 - 6:20 pm

  OMG! I am a 62yo professional whos had lots of luxury and a little performance, and this Genesis Coupe is the hottest thing Ive ever had, in so many ways! People ogle it! I love the way it responds to my subtlest tickling of the pedals and steering wheel! Great acceleration, nimble as a cheetah, and so well-balanced its a dream to drive, easy or hard. Love it! The fit, finish, and style of every little detail is unsurpassed! And the car is intelligent! It wouldnt even allow my wife to lock the key in the trunk--it knew it was there! Mileage on regular gas is far better than I expected, and the engine has a great sound. No detractors! I could sell these things!!

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  Car crazy about this suv - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By RICHARD - December 13 - 6:43 pm

  This suv is very quiet excellent ride, at idle you cant hear it. Go look at the quality in this luxury car inside and out. Dont pass it up.

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  My best auto in 50 years - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By mwitt1 - December 12 - 9:30 pm

  This car is well engineered and drives superbly. It is a dream come through in comfort. I just love it

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  Great Car for the Money - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By buono170 - December 12 - 7:13 pm

  I put 2500 miles in the first month of owning this car. I love this car.It handles very well & has the power when you need it.Great on gas & who can beat the 10yr 100,000 mile warranty.Great sound system.Give it a test drive,you wont be sorry.