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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  Phillys Finest - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Vics Azera - February 3 - 6:00 am

  I drive an 06 Azera Limited with Ultimate package. Mines is silver with black leather interior with an upgraded wood kit through out the vehicle. I love just about everything about my car.

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  Yin and Yang - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Mole - February 2 - 5:58 pm

  Great car for the money. Looks and sounds high-end. Great engine, nice stereo, acceptable mileage, very quiet inside, transmission is fine. Suspension is rough over bumps yet not firm in the corners. Rear sun shade is nice touch, until it broke (fixed under warranty). Rear mirror fell off. Big car but seat doesnt go back far enough. Trunk does drip in water when opened but that doesnt really bother me. Great trunk w/cargo net & split folding seats. Good in stop/go and on highway. Leather isnt super supple, but is durable. No problems with build quality, rattles, or peeling trim. No mechanical problems. Lots of safety features.

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  Hyundai Genesis 3.8 V6 Tech/Premium Pack - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By WESTWINDLION - February 2 - 1:01 pm

  Overall excellent product however, beware as there are subtle issues such as alignment (pull to left or right) and very bumpy ride. I recommend that you invest in cars that do not come with defects and have higher resale value. Also, company needs to stand behind its products and learn from Toyotas recent recall.

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  Love It - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By practicalme - February 1 - 4:47 pm

  This is my first NEW car and Im 51 years old. I was waiting for this car. It cost me $8,900, has a great warranty and is fun to drive.

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  Good overall Deal - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ken2400 - February 1 - 3:04 pm

  There is a recall on the Lower control arms due to salt in given states. Look it up. Mine failed at 137K miles. Dealer fully covered it. 5 SP GLS

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  Roughest ride ever - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By RustyArm - February 1 - 2:49 pm

  We live in the northern mid-west with rough winter roads but the ride in my new car is the worst I have ever experienced. You feel every bump not once but twice (front and back). If you like the feel of riding a go-cart this is the car for you. The suspension is so tight I have a head/stomach ache every time I am in the car. It is impossible to drink any beverage while moving. It has been years since we bought a new car and I am heartsick to be stuck with one that is so uncomfortable. Mileage is only at 27mpg. We also own a 2009 Toyota Corolla - there is no comparison to the quality of the ride. The dealership says this is the way they are built. This will be the last Hyundai!

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  Disappointed - Not for Everyone!!! - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Alex - January 31 - 4:23 pm

  1) After first week, I felt the car pulling ...took to the dealer and they aligned it. 2nd wk still pulling...took back to the dealer and they found that the left front tire was defective and replaced for free... 2) After ~13K miles vibration upon applying brake...dealer stated that rotors needed to be "turned"...I was outside of 12K miles for what Hyundai calls "adjustments" and so had to pay 3) Dashboard cracked - KNOWN PROB WITH AZERAS- this was what was stated by dealer-My car is garaged and was so very disappointed/frustrated that yet another prob-replaced under warranty 4) Loud noise in Engine. Dlr ran diagnostics & checked front end.Could find nothing wrong...hoping nothing awaits me next

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  Will always own a Hyuandai! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Deb - January 31 - 5:18 am

  I purchased my Sonata when it had very low miles on it. I had it for 3 1/2 years...until yesterday. The most dependable car I ever owned. My mpg in the city was 27. I had no cons at all about this car. After owning a Sonata that never gave me a single problem, I decided to stay with Hyundai and just down sized to an Elantra yesterday. I know I will never be left stranded and can count on a high quality, dependable vehicle. I highly recommend Hyundai to anyone looking to buy a car. You will not be disappointed!

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  Great Car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jess - January 31 - 1:38 am

  I bought this car last October, as my 2001 Ford Focus was nearing 120,000 miles. As a commuter student,I needed a new car that was reliable.. I researched a million other cars and finally fell in love with this one.

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  Excellent Car-Sell the Honda - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By PAW - January 29 - 9:42 am

  This quiet, comfortable little car has been a pleasant surprise. Good response on steering. Will flat out move when the pedal is punched. I also own a Honda Civic Coupe EX which I love (except for the expensive maintenance costs) yet the Elantra is comparable and maybe better. Its got plenty of storage compartments, roomy trunk. I got 35.7 MPG on the first tank, half on the interstate at 70 MPH. Love the XM radio! Cost for car-$13,485 before the fees and taxes. My only con (and it is minor) is the upholstery. I have long hair that sheds and it sticks to the fabric. I bought covers for the seats but hair sticks to the arm console.