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 HATE this car! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Lauren - June 4 - 3:00 am

  This is a terrible car. Not only is outrageously slow for a "sports" car, having less than 200 hp and a 0-60 over 7 sec, the gas mileage poor for being that slow. Plus it is front wheel drive. My other car is faster with 300+ hp and a 0-60 around 5 sec and better on gas. Also, so many things in this car have broken both mechanical and electrical. The axles, the window motors, the radio, the transmission has had multiple issues, and one of the headlights go out about every month. Not to mention the "dual exhaust" is not really dual exhaust it is one pipe that splits into two. This car surprises me every day with its crapiness.

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  Hyundai over Accord - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dan C - June 4 - 12:03 am

  Bought a 2009 SE V6. Spent a lot of time narrowing the search. Came down to the Honda Accord. Then just for curiosity, stopped @ a Hyundai dealerships and drove the Sonata. Quieter, more creature comforts for less $$, and a warranty thats best on the market. So far have only 500 miles. The first fill up, got 31 mpg. The car really is amazing how smooth and responsive. Youre at 80 mph and unless youre paying attention, you wouldnt know it. The SE really is a great handling car for a family sedan. My other driver is a Mustang GT. The Sonata isnt a GT, but its almost as tight in the corners Give the Sonata a fair shot. Youll be amazed.

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  So far Great - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By laustin - June 3 - 4:53 pm

  I bought this car after nothing but problems with a Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado. I did research on the sante fe and bought it for the warranty. Great room in back for beach chairs, moving furniture, etc. Good cup holders. Good seats. Only thing I dont like is the engine doesnt seem to have alot of "umpf" but then again I dont need to go more than 70 mph. Have 60k miles now. hope this lasts a very long time for me!

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  LAWLERs PIC - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Patrick Lawler - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Great Looking SUV(inside and out) thats fun to drive, and also great on gas. Maybe American Car builders should take a better look at the santa Fe before making thiers.

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  I love my car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By nycsexy69 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  It is a very reliable car and i am pleased with the performance i like the style of the car and the the way it is set up in the inside i love how smooth it drives

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  hy - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By newhyundaiowner - June 3 - 2:00 am

  good price / value best warranty on the market fully loadet safe enugh space for tall people

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  Great Car for A Great Price - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By HappyCarOwner - June 3 - 2:00 am

  We test drove 4 other vehicles (Mazda, Nissan, Ford, Honda) and this vehicle stood out best among those. We are very satisfied so far. We feel like we got in on a good deal while the price is still right. FOR THE PRICE ITS A STEAL!

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  LOVE my Diamond Blue Genesis Coupe! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By BEN44 - June 2 - 4:23 pm

  I always look forward to pressing the automatic start button and driving this WONDERFUL CAR of mine! The way she handles the road is simply phenomenal... even if its just maneuvering through a grocery store parking lot! My acquqa minerals blue beauty actually makes the drive to work every morning a stimulating experience!

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  Tucson V-6 MPG must be improved - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Scout - June 2 - 8:10 am

  The Tucson V-6 has a lot going for it. Easy to drive, responds well, comfortable ride and leads in having the best warranty. For a small SUV it is one of the few that has a design that works for taller people. Too bad they didnt do their homework on providing better mpg. If great mpg is an objective, the Tucson is not for you. You will be disappointed. Consumers look to smaller SUVs to provide great gas mileage. Hyundai failed to respond to consumers. If Hyundai could provide an engine that gets great mpg this SUV would go to the top of its class.

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  Great Value - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By HC - June 2 - 3:00 am

  Only had it for a short time and have had no problems. The Limited Edition is the way to go. Nice acceleration, nice brakes, firm drive, and excellent value. Seriously considered Honda until I came accross this car. Nice features only available on top of the line Honda. Able to program remote to automatically adjust the seat, side view mirror, and brake/gas pedal but not as useful since we typically use one remote between the two of us. No navigational system offered but nice external, portable ones available on the market.