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:

• 

  Leaky car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tim - October 27 - 10:04 am

  This car has had a water leak since new and has been to the dealership 7 times for it. After going to a body shop, it was determined that the seam sealer was falling out all over the bottom of the car. Hyundai refuses to replace the now mold smelling, rusting in the trunk, car and closed my case knowing that I will loose too much money if I lemon Law and probably not pursue this.I will never buy another Hyundai and will discourage as many as possible, as I have never in 20 years of new cars seen such poor customer service , and shoddy practices by a manufacturer and a dealership. Buyer beware.

• 

  Love! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Approve Hyundai - October 27 - 7:50 am

  I bought this car used at 10000 miles and the only reason I would go to the dealership was to change the oil or change the tires. I love the Hyundai and it is good on gas! I drove this car from Miami to Tallahassee (which is a 600 mile drive) like 10 times and I drove this car from Miami to Washington D.C (which is more than a 2000 mile drive) and I still have no issues. Theres little things that gets on my nerves but overall good car. Now my car is at 80000 miles and it is still running great!

• 

  too good to be true - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By katie - October 26 - 10:29 pm

  I had hoped that the 10 yr/100,000 mile warranty meant that Hyundai was wanted to prove they were making reliable vehicles like Honda or Nissan. Nope. I think they were counting on the average consumer trading in at 3 or 4 years and less than 60,000. The warranty has covered a few things (that should not have gone bad) and not covered other stuff that also should not have gone bad (the rear wheel bearings went bad at 62,000 the sun roof started leaking within 4 years the vehicle eats headlights and even the dealer cannot raise the headlights so that the "low beams" are useful and the "high beams" are still lower than most other vehicles low beams. Im getting an older used Nissan instead

• 

  Very Pleased Azera Owner - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Azera owner - October 26 - 8:16 pm

  This car will not disappoint you. It offers many luxurious features at a fraction of the price in comparison to Lexus. It is truly a pleasure to drive. It is equipped with ample power for safe passing and responds well on hills and navigating turns. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a car with style and grace - it more than measures up to Lexus or BMW.

• 

  Best Car out there - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Neozen - October 26 - 12:38 am

  If you want a car this car is everything you need in one it has 4wd, key less entry, electric starter and more!!!

• 

  Incredible bargain - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Jim Blake - October 25 - 10:06 pm

  We bought one of the last 3 2005 models left (and got a huge discount plus another $1000 for already being a Hyundai owner). The whole family absolutely loves this car - by far the nicest all-around vehicle either my wife or I have ever owned. We have yet to have a single problem with it.

• 

  Watch out big 3 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gregnice23 - October 25 - 7:06 am

  I love the design of this new Sonata. The dual exhausts are hot and the car really takes off for the 6. The seats can be a little uncomfortable and the ride of the GLS is a little tight but overall I am very pleased. People always take notice of my dark cinnamon beauty coming at you. This new Sonata should make people want to check out Hyundai before going to Toyota,Nissan, or Honda. The pickup is awesome and the interior is well appointed. This is a fresh new car from Hyundai in a sea of all the bland camrys,accords & altimas. Very pleased with the dealership and got a great lease also. Cant beat the warranty. Try and beat that Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

• 

  Best Hyundai Ever - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dutch047 - October 24 - 2:00 pm

  So far so good! I love the comfort of the vehicle and cant beat the interior designed. But with standard stafty features this is one of the safest suv to buy, espeacially with a family.

• 

  Look for Months - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By cal - October 24 - 1:03 pm

  Have been looking for an intermidate size crossover/etc for 6 months. The veracruz was the best value for the money. Also the great warranty.

• 

  Crashed Approved - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chambers - October 23 - 11:25 pm

  This is my second review. Wife and daughter T-boned a lady driving a Saturn Outlook doing 50 MPH in our Sonata GLS, then spun out into a ditch. Based on the damage our car was totaled. The Sonata held up very well, all 4 doors would still open and the front end crumple zones took the impact very well. I was very impressed with the safety of the vehicle, both wife and daughter walked away pretty much unharmed. I would buy another Sonata based on this alone, including other features like the fun to drive, comfort and reliability factor. BEST car on the market for the money, hands down.