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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  Impressive and Popular - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By cangelino87 - October 6 - 5:11 pm

  I have been researching Hyundai since it entered the American car market. They have come a long way, and have been successful. I am a car enthusiast and decided to give a Hyundai a shot. Recently leased a 2011 Sonata Limited. The car is wonderful. I had to take it in for a canopy rattle that ended up coming from the sunroof. The dealership gave me a rental car and rebuilt the sunroof over night. The rattle/creak is now gone. One thing that is annoying is the door-stays are not very strong and its hard to keep the doors open sometimes. I notice a slight vibration in the steering column upon acceleration, but otherwise its smooth. Love the car, very sleek and sophisticated.

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  A Gem Value SUV - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Norma V. - October 6 - 1:33 pm

  I spent the entire fall of 2004 researching vehicles and came across this one on the list of 2005 SUVs. I went to the dealership to see this vehicle 3 times before I finally bought it. It was love at first sight and everyday after that. Hyundai has come a long way and this GEM gets the award for the best value SUV. If you are considering buying a compact SUV thats loaded with extras, THIS IS THE ONE! GO FOR IT!

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  Grins and complaints - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Masked - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had minor problems as soon as I drove it off the lot. Auto-down on the p/w didnt work, Stereo is messed up, and the power locks stopped working. All have been fixed VERY quickly and Ive been very impressed with the dealer. Driving it has been fun and it corners well, but when I have a group of friends in the car to say the power is gone is an understatement. I also find the seats to be extremely uncomfortable, and Im only 6 feet tall. Interior is nice otherwise. Watching heads turn as I drive by cars on the interstate is also a hobby of mine now.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By JYC2002 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive had XG350 for about 6 months now and absolutely no problem what so ever! The car is exceptionally quiet! I drove comparable vehicles, such as Camry and Accord, and XG350 stands alone in quality, value, and luxury options. It is a very well built car, as it can be felt by the tight body feel and handling. I just love this vehicle! I only payed 22G for it! It is a steal compared to Camry and Accord!

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  I love my hyundai! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By comstar504 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt a big fan of hyundai when I went into the dealership last december. I test drove an accent and it was a little under powered, but when I sat in the elantra it was like coming home. the interior was soothing, the exterioir lines sporty yet sophisticated. when I took it out for a test drive, the powerful 2 liter motor put me into the seat just the way i liked it. I came in a doubter and left a customer for life, my next purchase is an new Tiburon.

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  Meet the Accord Killer... - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By KK - October 5 - 2:30 am

  I traded in my 2008 SE Sonata for the Auto GLS in Pacific Blue with Grey interior and the alloy and power seat package. Love the car and its power for a 4cyl. 30 more HP and a lighter car with a much better transmission now. Pickup is close to a 6cyl 0-60 times. Interior space is plentiful and a huge trunk tops it off. I think this is the car that moves Hyundai up a notch! Well done Hyundai.

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  Solid Compact Utility Vehicle - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By FamilyontheWay - October 4 - 9:06 am

  Im "stepping down" from a decade of owning cars costing $10k more. I bought this for the high reliability (Im expecting) and the value it represents. It may be hard to wrap your head around that fact that this is a compact car, with a midsize wheelbase and tremendous interior space. It IS fun to drive, though not sporty, but torquey, taut and surprisingly refined. Its not fast, but competent and capable around town and on the hiway. It has a "do anything" demeanor, but rides like a car, not an SUV. The biggest drawbacks being the 4 speed auto, oddly weighted steering and the 2L engine that makes only 140 Hp. But brakes are excellent, built quality high, and the interior well thought out.

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  2018 sonata sport - 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  By casey - October 4 - 5:08 am

  inexpensive very solid Hyundai has its own steel company!!

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  GT v6 6 speed - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By GT - October 3 - 12:13 am

  I bought my hyundai tiburon smashed,. It took forever to fond parts, but when i finally did, i found out that the car is the most reliable thing in the yard. I was looking for a sprots coupe to replace my firebird, and when i saw this car i had to have it. I had to replace one belt at 44000 miles, but the wrong size was on the car so it is understandable. I can get 30 miles to the gallon, yes 30, and this is town and country driving. The car is comfortable. Although the seats are not powered they still have lumbar and all the other controls. This car is definitely worth it money in gold. Not to mention it beat most other stock tuners, and i have no power adders on the car.

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  Still Happy - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By LS - October 2 - 12:56 pm

  66,000 miles.., still going strong. Nothing new to report. Still very impressed with the engine/gearbox combination. I service the car as per the manufacturers recommendation.. Got a clean bill of health during last visit to dealer, all recalls done. Everything, nav, sunroof, climate control etc.., no problems, working well. Overall, love the look and acceleration! The car is holding up and I am happy.. still no complaints.