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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  Love my Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Amy Davies - January 27 - 10:00 am

  When I had my second child, I needed a reliable 4 door vehicle, within our budget. I did a lot of research and found that the Elantra was affordable and classy. I went to our local Hyundai dealer and in no way was I pressured to buy. I went in and told them exactly what I was looking for as far as options and it turned out everything I thought was an option, came standard. For example, dual front airbags, side impact airbags, and power windows and locks. After I test drove it, I bought it! I love my Elantra!

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  Great Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Spohn - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I am only 49 and I sit great in it. Have great visiblity. It is a great car for a short person. When I sit behind the wheel, I feel like it was built for me.

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  Joss Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jos Sante - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I am 62 year old man and have owned 8 new cars in my lifetime. A VW, Chevy, Mercury, Toyota, Mitsubishi and this Hyundai is the best new car I ever owned. The design is smart, well done, clean and safe. It is also the best price car I ever bought and with the most conveniences included in standard price.

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  Very comfortable Ride - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ralph T - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Elantra May 2002 and to date I have been pleased with the overall car. The reliability of some parts slightly disappointed me but I guess the warranty made up for it.

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  You Bought a What? - 2016 Hyundai Azera
  By Jim Halerz - January 27 - 7:25 am

  I have owned many of the upscale brands including Mercedes to Lexus. I am very pleasantly surprised at how the Azera stands up to the higher-priced spread in comparison. The exterior style isnt necessarily a show-stopper but my black and tan Limited with 19 inch wheels stills looks pretty cool coming down the street. The interior is top quality with heated, perforated leather seating, a great sound system and plenty of room -- front and back. The 293 hp engine has plenty of acceleration and gets up to cruising speed on the highway very quickly and smoothly. And a big, big plus is high 20s mileage with regular gas. I considered a pre-owned 5-series Beemer but am very happy that I chose the Azera. This car has all the bells and whistles for under $40K... hard not to give it a chance.

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  Great quality car for a reasonable price - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Jack Kapp - January 27 - 3:06 am

  It was my intention to choose between the Hyundai Azera (limited) and the Toyota Avalon. Aside from a significant price saving, I have found the bigger trunk and inside dimensions as real pluses over the Avalon. The overall quality after 5 months is quite impressive to me, and it is a very fun car to drive. It is very good in the snow and on slippery roads. I wish I could get higher gas mileage.

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  Love it - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Johnny - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Never thought Id buy a Hyundai but I must say I love my 2011. Great car.

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  Very satisfied owner - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By C.A.Heer - January 26 - 7:16 am

  As an 87 year old I have purchased 21 new cars in my lifetime, all made in the USA. I can honestly say my new Azera is far and away the finest car I have ever owned and it was $15,000 less than the sticker price of my last Cadillac DeVille.

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  Best Kept Secret - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ckm - January 26 - 4:40 am

  The Tiburon has to be one of the best kept secrets in the automotive world as you dont see many on the road. Heads do turn and people do ask about the Tib everywhere we go. An excellent vehicle and price - just drive one and you will understand. I have owned 7 vehicles and paid a lot more for the others but love this one the most!

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  2007 hyundai limited - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By bernard edwards - January 25 - 11:56 am

  we purchased our seventh hyundai,a vera cruz limited and like our other hyundais we love the vera cruz.we got the ultimate package,and it is a gorgeous vehicle inside and out,and like the motor trend said it beat the lexus rx 350 and i can see why.gas milage right with two wheel drive at 500 miles is just over 24 mph,so it is the best cross over out there.