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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  Macs opinion - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By McCullough - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Have been pleased with the Santa Fe. Have taken one trip ov 1700 miles and was very comfortable to travel in. Drives and rides nice.

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  What a deal... - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jaw10611 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this car on yesterday. I was really surprise. Considering that I am 63, 260 lbs., I had second thoughts about getting another compact car... but this car easied all worries. I am really happy. The leather seats, leg room, hip room, sunroof, and most important cost... I now see how it feels to hit the lottery. Oh yea, deal with the sales internet manager when making the purchase... better deal. I got this car $1,251.00 less than what the TMV on edmunds states, plus $1,500 rebate.

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  First one and Love it! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By was266 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Was unsure at first about the Hyundai line for when they hit the US shores in the 80s they were "junk" But,after alot of research and asking Hyundai owners i went for it and am very glad i did pretty much i am driving a Saab 900s for half the price! It has run FLAWLESSLY in the past year,I have never gotten below 30MPG and so far am very impressed with it!

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  dollarvalue - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Blacky - February 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is a delight to drive responsive and the steering is instant The features installed are equil to any of the expensive cars on the market also the gas consumption is very good on the hwy and in town.

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  3rd Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By tcy1 - February 28 - 7:33 am

  I have had my car for 4 weeks and have logged over 2500 miles. The first thing to all of you with the pull to the left,It can be corrected by moving the frame. Mine is now fixed and runs as straight as an arrow. Anyhow this car is freakin awesome. The turbo is quick,smooth,and great on gas and this a truly great thing at $3.39 a gallon. The bluetooth is the best invention since sliced bread! XM standard! Who would have thought you could have so much for so little. This is our third Hyundai and wont be our last.

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  Nice car! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By willyut - February 27 - 2:48 am

  Was in the market for a fuel economical car and saw this little beauty sitting at the Chevy dealer. Traded in my 1996 gas guzzler Suburban for it. Wasnt sure about the brand Hyundai at first...so far Im impressed. The car is really sporty for a sedan and just has this clean & crisp feeling to it. It has plenty of gadgets to play with: blue-tooth, blue-link, radio with USB stick plugin, LCD display, etc. The automatic shifting in this car is a little weird but I think thats because its a 4 banger and it tries to keep you in lower gears so you have power. As for the power this thing GETS UP AND GOES! I thought getting on the highway was going to be a joke...I easily zoom past others!

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  Hyundai owner - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By hyundaiowner - February 26 - 7:30 pm

  I find the car fun to drive

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  Best car for the money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By dan - February 26 - 1:43 am

  Great looking car, plenty of power, sleek interior, nice lines, cheap price, nice extras, and love the heated seats

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  Really Good Car! - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Sally - February 24 - 7:56 pm

  Ive never had a moments trouble with my "sports car". This car is great to drive, and as far as the noise quotient - its a sports car! If you want an uber-quiet drive, buy your grandpas car. If you want a reliable, fun, good performing, and great gas mileage car, complete with loads of compliments, buy this car!!!

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  Never Again - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Never Again - February 24 - 3:50 pm

  The transmission is terrible with unwanted clunking, metallic downshifts at stoplights. Several bulletins issued by factory which did nothing. This vehicle is an absolute piece of junk!