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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  Excellent! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By kinger75002 - April 16 - 9:17 am

  For under $20k you get the comfort of a $35k car without the frills. Great gas mileage as well, I get 480-490 miles per tank. I chose the 4 cylinder over the V6, because I literally couldnt feel the difference or see the difference from a highway speed perspective. I drive 120 miles per work day and I couldnt be more happier with this machine. Excellent Car!

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  will buy another - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Wiregrass - April 15 - 10:49 am

  Great car for trip, drove to Niagara Falls Canada average 28 plus mpg around town getting 24 mpg, my sons want to borrow it when they are going on trips

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  Finally, A car we wanted - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Mountainlover - April 15 - 10:00 am

  We have looked at cars for almost one year. Price was part of the quotient but not the determining factor. We considered Cadillac Seville STS and found that the Hyunda XG350L was the only car that really excited us. I have wanted an STS for many years now but after driving new and used ones, and reading the reports on reliability I found I was no longer interested. Nameplates mean nothing to us and we found a car we could get excited about at a price that is unbelievable. Im not sure how they can sell the car for the price they do. Responsive, good looking and loaded with the features we wanted. Euros and Japaneese carmakers take note. There is once again competition in the new car market.

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  Awesome!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Smile22 - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, and sporty!!

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  Red GT V6 6-spd - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By R_Scott - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I loved it from the moment I saw it...when I test drove it, I knew I had to drive it home that day! The styling is superb, and I like the overall feel of the car. Fit and finish is what Ive found on my previous Hyundai vehicles...excellent.

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  Not bad at all! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By radact - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Great machine for the buck. This weekend at a local dealer, a few of basic model can be had for $4,000 off the MSRP. Incredible bargain.

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  Low price... Awesome car! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By spatch359 - April 15 - 10:00 am

  This is THE car. Try and find a 2002 Japanese car for the same price and features as a Hyundai and youll be suprised how much MORE they cost. The hyundai just feels all around better. I test drove Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Dodge, Ford, and Chevy compact cars and this one beats them all. I wouldnt even consider this a compact car. My sister has a 2000 Maxima and this elantra has more room in it and feels more comfortable than the Maxima. The sunroof is also a nice touch. I recommend this car above any other unles you just like paying more for the name a car carries rather than its value.

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  Fabulous car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Caristy - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my civic for 5 years and was reluctant to go through the car-buying process. After hours and hours online and in dealerships, looking at Corollas, Civics, and Focuses, my fiances brother recommended a Hyundai - - he got an Elantra GLS. As soon as we stepped foot on the lot I noticed the GT, and as soon as I sat in it I fell in love! We ran home to do some online research -- this car has gotten some great reviews -- and went back to haggle over a price. The guy was actually great to work with, they took our first offer in the low $14s. I LOVE IT! And cant believe there arent more of these on the road.

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  My Midnight Gray Hyundai Elantra!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By newhyundaielantra - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Love this car, owned a 01 Hyundai Accent, too small for someone who is 61" So decided to upgrade. Not really happy to know I could have gotten a better deal then I got. Paid 13,600 but considering I had a trade-in, I guess I got a good deal! I didnt go to several dealerships, should have, oh well! Car drives, handles awesome! LOOOOOVE Cruise, Keyless Entry, and something I have never had on any car of mine, AN ALARM!!!

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  mileage - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By abigbake - April 14 - 5:03 pm

  Overall the vehicle is a good alternative to competing vehicles in the same class. However, I find the gas economy a poor alternative to other vehicles. For local mixed driving I am getting a poor 21.5 mpg as compared to 24 mpg advertised. On highway long distance driving of 200 miles and 150 miles local driving I got a poor 26.5 mpg. These numbers are achieved by taking consumed miles divided by gallons on fillup using a calculator not the onboard computer. Perhaps Hyundai should issue a tecnical service bulletin to correct this deficiency. Hundai should be aware that we use advertised ratings when we consider any vehicle purchase particularly in these days of high gas prices.