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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  Good subcompact - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By JD - September 8 - 11:37 am

  Bought under cash for clunkers. Was looking for inexpensive car with good fuel economy. Got a surprisingly comfortable little car. I dont think anyone could beat the bang for the buck.

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  2011 Hyundai Veracruz -- Not bad at all - 2011 Hyundai Veracruz
  By joshregenold - September 8 - 10:30 am

  Coming from the nightmare that was a 2011 Jeep Compass (read my review over there; what a disaster), the Veracruz is a dream come true. Ive never owned a Hyundai, but the build quality is exceptional, the interior is roomy and comfortable, the ride is quiet and smooth on the highway (a bit rough at low speeds on rough roads), and the gas mileage is just as advertised. Driving 4,000 miles or so mostly on the highway (I do about 90/10 hwy/city), I average between 21 and 23 MPG. The third row is not bad at all, either. I regularly have adults at about 56" tall back there with no complaints.

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  Hyundai has come a long way - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By C.W. - September 8 - 4:43 am

  Ive had my Hyundai Sonata Limited for a little more than a month now, and I am loving it. I have never owned a Hyundai, and have always driven Nissans. Traded an 04 Maxima SE for the Sonata because of the remarkable warranty. You cant beat it. The Sonata is fun to drive, and I found it to be much quieter than the Nissan. Power is more than sufficient, and the CVVT shifts flawlesly. Interior room is spacious, but I think the fore/aft position on the seat tract should be a bit longer. I love the Infinity sound system, however I had to take it back to the dealer 2X to fix an annoying rattle in the rear deck coming from the 3rd brake light. I also think the suspension should be firmer.

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  Dont Depend On It! - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By MyTibbySucks - September 7 - 3:43 pm

  This is the biggest piece of crap ever. Almost immediatly the squeaks started. Also have to replace the headlights every time it rains. We bought this new and have put in a transmission at 80,000 miles among other things. At least it was covered under warranty. We have had this thing towed so many times that we upgraded our towing miles through AAA! Buyer beware.

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  Good Choice - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By will - September 6 - 3:50 pm

  Had the car for 3 weeks now and am pleased with it. I never considered buying a Elantra, but friends of ours has 2 and love them. I wanted a car thats reliable, safe, good mpg,comfortable and affordable-the Elantra was it! No other car maker came close with the same options & price plus warranty. Its not sporty or a head turner,but for me thats ok.

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  Great car! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By R Pippin - September 6 - 2:58 pm

  Bought this car used from the previous owner at a great price. My husband found the bargain and I was not so sure at first, but after a complete detailing and some personal touches Im in love! This car looks like a little jag and handles like a dream. She has looks and kick. The headlights were cloudy and yellowing when I bought her but I found a plastic polish from Meguires that made them look almost new again. Since purchase, she has needed new tires w/ alignment and a new spark plug (tune-up soon). The washer fluid pump does not work, will have to look into for repair. Rear view mirror functions not working either.

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  GREAT DEAL - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai Lover - September 6 - 4:52 am

  Ive been through alot with this car, it took its bumps and bruises. It stood STRONG! Aside from plastics on the cheaper side, you get so much for what you pay for. Plus, i got a STEAL on it, dont overlook the Elantra! BEAST CAR!

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  Nothing Like It On The Planet For Price - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Spica - September 6 - 2:40 am

  I knew this was the car for me after about 30 seconds into my test drive. I was bent on my next car being a V6 but no need to even think about that now. This I4 Turbo will shock your senses. Its 223lbs of torque @2000Rpm tells you why. Handling is Jordanesque,the breaking characteristics superb and the ride unusually comfortable for a sports car. And how can you beat the warranty?

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  Meet the CR-Z Killer - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By jeffdawgfan - September 5 - 11:08 pm

  I took delivery of a 2012 Veloster this past Saturday. I had been looking real hard at the Honda CR-Z but there were just some things that Honda cut corners on and left off that car that just did not sit well with me. The hybrid motor was also a big turn off as it just over complicated the car and did not really increase its fuel economy. Enter the Hyunda Veloster. The Veloster is everything that the CR-Z wanted to be. More features, better ride, just as much power and better fuel economy with out the hybrid cost/complication. Unless Honda does something quick the CR-Z is dead in two years I predict.

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  Great Make-Over!! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By parkone - September 5 - 11:03 pm

  Hyundai has stepped up to the plate once again, my Tiburon is awsome, the six speed trans. is so much fun to drive. cant wait till the summertime so i can show it off in style!!