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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  Not the dual clutch transmission I had in my VW CC - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Art - November 22 - 8:20 pm

  The dual clutch transmission in the Hyundai Tucson is a piece of junk. Ive had 2 VW CCs and their dual clutch transmission worked flawlessly. The nightmare of a transmission in the Hyundai is unsafe at any speed. Sometimes you cant get the car to move, prompting horns to honk when the light turn s green. Other times it leaves the line like a dragster as the tires spin and Im shot off like a rocket. Ive read the other reviews and this car is not safe to be on the road. If Hyundai cant fix the issue, they should buy the car back. Im not one to depend on the Federal Government for anything except more problems, but in this case the NHTSA needs to step in and help the consumer.

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  Like this vehicle! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By The Rev - November 22 - 5:26 am

  I previously have leased Nissan Maximas and have been very happy with these cars. Living in Minnesota, this time I decided that Id like to try an all-wheel drive vehicle. Although I have only had the Santa Fe a short time I can see that I am going to enjoy driving this vehicle. So far I can find nothing major to criticize.

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  hyundai value second to none - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By dblg - November 22 - 2:53 am

  Excellent build quality combined with luxury options brings this vehicle to a level second to none. Why pay more for Camry & Accord when you get the same degree of quality and I have owned both. Love the power on the V- 6.By the way this is my second Hyundai.I own a Elantra 5-door GT dubbed it the red rocket and that car is a winner too! Go Hyundai.

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  Great Value! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Elewis3752 - November 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Hyundai and I was happy with the tiburon but it was to small for my family. The Sonata is not a fancy car but it is a family car. Its the perfect car for my wife because its handles well with enough power to pass when you need to.

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  Fantastic - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By geoff - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned VWs, Dodges, and Saturns and my family has owned everything under the Sun (its a large family). This is the best luxury car I have ever driven. Easily equal to the Toyota Avalon and Chrysler LHS and $10K less than those cars. Very comfortable and the best warranty in the business. I will buy Hyundais for a while now.

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  Fantastic - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Geoff - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned VWs, Dodges, and Saturns and my family has owned everything under the Sun (its a large family). This is the best luxury car I have ever driven. Easily equal to the Toyota Avalon and Chrysler LHS and $10K less than those cars. Very comfortable and the best warranty in the business. I will buy Hyundais for a while now.

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  Awesome for the bucks - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Steve R. - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Just test drove yesterday and buying today. Cant believe how much car for the money. Its no Corvette but great fun to drive and the styling is superb. Japan better look over their shoulder because Korea is hot on their heels and at an affordable price.

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  Great Vehicle for Less Money - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By vpuckett - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased the 2003 Santa Fe LX, and for the price paid its a excellent value. The other brands that I compared with the Santa Fe cost thousands more for similar options/features. Im still in the break-in period so there is not much to say about the performance or Fuel economy. The V6 24 valve fuel injected motor seems to have enough power for this vehicle and it is a quiet motor. The interior has plenty of room and is very comfortable. So far Ive been very happy and pleased by this vehicle.

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  2011 Sonata SE - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John N - November 20 - 8:23 pm

  Unbelievable impressed. Style, MPG and value with good pick up and nice ride. Was considering a accura TSX and this car is same size with nicer styling and MPG. Also 5K cheaper which is another plus. Tech features of keyless, blue tooth, IPOD, 18 inch wheels are great. Looks like a combo merced and Lexus. Just hope long term the quality holds

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  2009 Sonata SE - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By MBashore - November 20 - 4:16 pm

  Overall, I really enjoy the car. The only thing is the dashboard squeak when it is cold outside. I notice when it warms up, there is no dashboard squeak. The interior of the car is nice, but the outside (besides the front) is a little plain. The 4 cylinder does not really have too much power taking off, but while on the highway, if you press down the pedal, itll give you the power you need.