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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  Bling bling w/out the sting - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bryan James - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 01 Elantra for the 04 Sonata in search of more power,a better ride & a nicer look. I got all for far less than I could have buying new from the competition. My LX feels luxurious, looks expensive & offers good performance. I know there are other vehicles out there that offer more horses, or tighter handling or better amenities, but few have all of these & none can beat the price & industry leading waranty.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Tim - May 28 - 9:46 pm

  I test drove several competing vehicles before driving the Azera that I soon owned. The Azera has a great safety package, exceptional creature comforts, better handling than the Camry, excellent acceleration for those short freeway entrances, and is very quiet at posted highway speeds (and above). This roomy car was a great find and a pleasant surprise. I think the SE is a great value, especially with the 100,000 mile warranty! Put this one on your test drive list before you buy a Honda or a Toyota.

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  A Great Deal - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Gabby123 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle by researching it on the internet. I didnt know a Hyundai from a Yugo. After comparing every small to midsized SUV on the market I surmised that this one presented the best value. It has performed flawlessly. People come up to me all the time in parking lots and whatnot and ask me what kind of vehicle it is. It looks like a Lexus SUV, but 15 grand less.

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  1+ Year Report - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RBENTRIDER - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Santa Fe about 15 months ago for my wife. We considered just about everything including the Lexus RX300 and decided this was the best value. So far we havent been disappointed. In 18,000 miles there has been only one mechanical failure and that was a crankshaft sensor. Two weeks later Hyundai issued a recall on crankshft sensors so it must be a common problem.

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  In love with the shark - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Snidely - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I know the "professionals" dont like this car. But, Ive owned everything from Z cars to Porsches and Im telling you that for the money it doesnt get any better than this.

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  Couldnt believe it was a Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Jan - May 28 - 2:50 am

  The first time I saw this car I remember thinking, Wow, nice looking car. So I checked into it and was surprised to learn it was a Hyundai. I test drove it and fell in love with it! One month later, I owned it! (I had to get past the Hyundai name first.) It handles so nice and is very comfortable. My clients make comments like; Is it a Lincoln? Feels like we are sitting in a BMW? This is a Hyundai?. It has only been in for maintenance, besides that no problems!

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  Genesis Coupe 6 spd Experience - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Bob Cataldo - May 27 - 12:46 pm

  I have had my Genesis now for a little over a month. Bottom line is that it has a great sports car feel at a price of a "regular" car. I have owned Hondas and BMWs for years. Nothing drives like a BMW but very expensive when the warranty expires. Hondas are rock solid but a bit pricey. I compared the Genesis and Civic SI. Hyundai was unknown to me as I have never owned but the extra warranty (5yr,50K) and Assurance program really made me give it a shot. I am glad I did as I really enjoy driving the car. So far so good as the quality seems outstanding and nothing, even minor, to report. Time will tell. Good job Hyundai...the Coupe is great value & performance in one beautiful package!

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  Tiburon WOW - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tiburon - May 26 - 4:23 am

  Excellant quality and design. Fun to drive. Lots of standard features.

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  Still loving my Azera - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By spel - May 24 - 10:46 am

  We have our Azera ltd for 2 months now and still get a thrill everytime we open the door and get in. The ride is so smooth, I worry I could fall asleep behind the wheel! We see so few on the road that when we do see one, it does not register immediately that the beautiful car in the next lane is the same one we are driving! Dont understand why Hyundai is not promoting it much. The only complaint we have is that the gas mileage is not great. But then again our last car, the Infiniti G35, was pretty poor on gas also. We have yet to take it on an extended trip where we can really get an accurate gas mileage measurement.

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  Nice Car for the Money! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jack Simmon - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Great car was surprised how cheap it is and also the Dealer was able to better the offer very pleased.