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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  Commuter Car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Unbelievable - December 12 - 10:52 am

  I bought this car as a disposable commuter car. I commute 75 miles per day. Wow, I am very pleased with this car. It gets 40 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg around town. The car has power and I drive on average about 75mph comfortably. I am extremely pleased with this purchase and the car for the money! I am thinking this will be a great kid car when I am done with it.

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  New Purchase - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By jerseyjohn365 - December 12 - 12:26 am

  Pros: Roomy interior, they have taken a few inches from the back and added additional passenger leg room. Lots of features in the SE AT, sun roof, XM, mp3 stereo w/USB and iPOD jacks, ESC, airbags, etc. Cons: ride is stiffer than the Ford Focus wagon it is replacing. Fuel mileage is not fantastic - just average.

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  Great Ride - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kathleen Mullikin - December 11 - 4:50 am

  My husband drove a 2004 Santa Fe and I drove a 2003 Santa Fe. We have enjoyed the comfort and dependability of both our vehicles. I just got my new 2007 Santa Fe as a birthday gift -- WOW! It truly is a luxury ride. Several people have asked my what type car it is at the gas station. I would put it up against any of those higher priced luxury rides any day.

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  1st time Hyundai Owner - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By blackartschild - December 11 - 2:43 am

  I have owned my Tucson for 6 months. We have driven it all over Florida and back and forth to Kentucky a couple times. When it comes to long-distance driving, I can drive for many hours while remaining comfortable. It is also very good on gas. The sound system sounds incredible. I cant say enough about how much I love this little truck. When we travel, we fold down the back seats for our two border collies. Its perfect for them.

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  Really like it - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Jack B. - December 10 - 7:47 pm

  My wife and I have owned our Genesis for 4 months and remain very pleased. We test drove Lexis, Avalons, Lincolns and 3 Genesis. One Genesis test drive was for more than an hour. We were not surprised by the stiffness of the Genesis ride. Highway ride and quietness are excellent. Firm ride in town lacks something to be desired but my wife does not mind. Purchasing experience was good. Please do not drive up the cost by having "Genesis Only" dealerships. I do like the performance, interior and exterior styling and sound system. A great car to drive.

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  I love my Sante Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Gloria - December 10 - 12:20 pm

  My father suggested this vehicle to me as I was looking for something a little bigger to own (Hes even a Chevy/GMC guy). My sister had a Hyundai and liked it. I thought it was too big, but I use every inch of it! I average 20-22 mpg combined city/highway driving. I just replaced the original battery. It protected me well in an icy road front end collision. Hope to see 100,000 miles soon. Only annoyance is half of lights on gear shift are burned out. Oh well.

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  Awesome Automobile! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By klros - December 10 - 8:30 am

  I looked at the Taurus, LaCrosse and 300 before deciding on the Genesis. Ride, quality, performance are all top notch. Hyundais done an outstanding job with this car. It should be on every car buyers list. People stop and ask me about in Range Rovers and BMWs all the time--I say yes...its a Hyundai!

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  Happy in New Jersey - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Happy in New Jersey - December 9 - 6:40 pm

  Fun to drive, very sturdy on the road. Fuel economy is a little lower than expected. According Hyundai, the fuel economy will inch updards between three to five thousand miles. Overall a excelent value. Considering that the vehicle which comes closest in tearms of Room, comfort, and price cost at least $7500 more.

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  air bag trouble - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By djwill03 - December 9 - 5:20 pm

  I owned a 2004 Tiburon and loved it. That was until I hit a deer head on and spun into a wall head on. Every air bag in the car went off except for the drivers side air bag. And I was the only one in the car!

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  what an amazing value! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By JoeManGA - December 9 - 4:43 pm

  After much research and test driving I bought the Genesis 4.6 with tech package. I was a bit hesitant because the ride was a bit more firm and sporty than what I was used to with my Avalon. After 2 months, I have to say the ride is no longer an issue and I prefer the suspension in the Genesis to my "couch on wheel" ride I had before. I still cant believe I paid $36.7K plus T&T. Its just silly to think people pay $50 and $60K for comparable vehicles. I also got the wing emblems on wheels, trunk and steering wheel. It looks fantastic and Ive received many stares and compliments on the car. The ES350 was the only other alternative, but it is much smaller and has a dated interior.