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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  Winter Beater - 1998 Hyundai Accent
  By EricXJR37 - December 6 - 7:03 am

  I bought this car at 284 000km , it has done its time , i paid 400$ only as a winter car. I have a RWD 320hp car in the summer , but i really like driving the Accent , theres no performance to it really , i have it as a 5spd manual and i really love it , it heats quick , handles corners well , so overall for a 1998 and the kms thats on it it doesnt burn oil and its tough.

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  Great Price - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ken U - December 5 - 10:14 pm

  I know you wont believe me, but my local dealer advertised my Elantra GlS, list price 17745 with ipod cable and mats for 10600. The week before they were 11900 and I was ready to buy for that price. I own a 2008 Hyundai santa fe so I the low price included tha loyalty discount. I bought the car for my daughter so safety and reliability were very important. For a 2010 cost you can not buy a used Elantra for less then this new one.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Bob Greene - December 5 - 11:57 am

  This may be the finest car I have ever owned. I bought fun it new during the year end closeout, and have enjoyed it since day one. The mileage I have experienced actually exceeds the EPA estimates. I am getting is in excess of 30mpg in highway driving, and the car is not yet fully broken in. It is quiet and comfortable, and is fun to drive. It has plenty of "oomph" at all speeds.

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  Nice little SUV with a BIG warranty - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Tommy - December 5 - 10:06 am

  Nice little SUV with a GREAT warranty. The 4WD doesnt get great gas mileage, bu the thing is sure footed in rain or snow. Dealerships are friendly and service is very pleasant. Its no wonder people are not treating these vehicles lightly, anymore.

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  Thought It Was Good! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tyler James - December 4 - 11:39 pm

  I Like The Car. I Like The Features. However its not dependable. changed alternator, cv shafts. Oh. Did i mention the whole engine. ?? Yea. follow maintenance intervals for timing belts. they tend to break and kill your engine. My car is nice. wish it was a little better on fuel, a little more dependable, and it came with more features. Then Again I only have the base. My car is going on 7 years old and it is still a head turner. I will drive it until i graduate college. But I doubt Id Buy another one. 154,000 miles on body. 7,000 on engine. still going strong. HOPE IT LASTS!! Thanks.

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  Love ThisCar!!!! 43 MPG R U SERIOUS!? - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By iseeit - December 4 - 10:34 pm

  UM; YEAH; I have a Brand new 2011 Sonata and I also bought one for my Daughter. We both are very happy with our cars and yeah, it doesnt take a genius to know that you shouldnt drive down the road with no hands. Its people on this website that give a beautiful car like mine a bad name

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  One Happy & Satisfied 4.6 Owner !!! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By Banker - December 4 - 9:27 pm

  Just a fabulous vehicle to drive and just as pleasurable to look at. With badging, it is easily confused with being in the Bentley family. The ride is precise, fit and finish is several points ahead of Lexus ES 350. Very tight and very quiet ride. A winner overall. Tremendous value for your money.

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  Solid, Quality Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By LWade - December 4 - 11:28 am

  I bought the Elantra after my Chrysler Sebring coupe was flooded and died. This is my first new car and I love it. Ive only had one problem involving a slow leak in a tire caused by a nail, which the dealership replaced for free (even though it was not their problem). I drive about 32 miles round-trip for my daily commute in Boston traffic, and my gas mileage still averages 30-34 mpg. It took a while to get used to the V4 engine, but it really moves great once you get up to speed. Unlike my Sebring, I can now have people sit in my backseat of my Elantra. As with any major purchase, research the seller and the product before you buy and there should be no issues.

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  Hyundai Sonata GLS - Awesome - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kim Seth - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Hynundai and I am always glad to tell people about them. I own the 2003 Sonata GLS in slate gray. It is a gorgeous vehicle! I get stares and comments on this car all the time! Everyone wants to know "What kind of car is that?" and "Thats a beautiful car." I also like to tell them that you wont find a comperable American vehicle for less than $5,000 more. Its styling, affordability, and warranty speak for themselves. Go try one out - you wont be disappointed!

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  Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Charbabe86 - December 3 - 11:45 pm

  I have had this care for almost 5 years. I havent had a single problem with it other than minor things like oil changes, tire rotations, things like that. It was cheap and affordable...Hyundais are by far the best car for the money.