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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  You have to drive this car! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By swim77 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I test drove the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla before I drove the Hyundai Elantra GT 4-dr hatchback. I bought my Elantra in May 2003 and I still love it. The car drives great, feels solid, and has more standard features than the Civic or Corolla. If you are looking for a car in this class you MUST drive this car!

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  Great Car - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By kevperro2 - September 14 - 5:45 pm

  Ive had it for a month and no regrets. It is what it is. A small efficient car that is inexpensive to buy, own and operate. In addition to that the car is well put together. It feels tight with everything working the way it should. Hyundai has really closed the gap with the Japanese. I am VERY happy with this purchase.

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  I love my car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Linda - September 14 - 6:26 am

  I purchased my auto Elantra Se in Feb 08. I love the mileage Im getting. I average 29-31 miles combined city/hw driving. On the highway going at 65, I averaged 36.9 miles to the gallon. WOW. Its very comfortable. Ive made 2 trips to MS so I have almost 13,000 miles on it and still loving it. Its a great car and would recommend it. Yes some can get lemons in any make/model but dont let one lemon spoil your awesome driving experience.

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  This Car Rocks - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ronaldg261 - September 14 - 12:28 am

  This is a fantastic car. Quick acceleration, quiet, comfortable, economical. Great value.

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  Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By earl engel - September 14 - 12:20 am

  Excellent handeling and pickup power. Sharp styling and very well designed interior space. Very nice split leather/cloth seats.

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  Impressive Vehicle - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lei_Momi - September 13 - 10:20 am

  When I bought the Elantra, I thought I was downsizing from a Suzuki Grand Vitara, but the interior of the Elanta offers more hip, shoulder and leg room. The gas mileage I am getting is better than the EPA sticker, at 35 HWY. The first weekend I had the car I went to Mt. Rainier here in Washington. The car handled like a dream on tight curves and was never sluggish on the climb up. There was always lots of power for any steep grade. The car is comfortable, peppy, very fun to drive, solid, responsive and feels larger inside than my parents Intrepid. My husband is 62", and even with some back problems, he has no problem getting in, and has lots of leg room. I absolutely love this car!

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  I love her my Apple Red Elantra - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By andrealan - September 13 - 9:29 am

  I had an disappointing afternoon at a Dealer nearby.Turns out I was lied to about price,stock and color of a cute little car I wanted. Me and hubby then set out and drove many other cars that day and into 8pm. that night. I was tired and wanted to go home. Hubby said "you still havent driven the Hyundai". He said-"remember the Rental I had in Florida? It was the new Elantra". I wasnt excited. every car I drove that night was a disappointment. A good ride but cost too much or a bad ride in my price range. I requested An apple Red Elantra GLS. She was so comfortable, roomy, good performance and I was having fun!! We drove it home that night at 9:30PM. LOL, I really bought her in the dark!

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  2007 Azera Limited - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By chuck - September 12 - 3:37 pm

  As compared to other vehicles I have driven or owned, this one is exceeding my expectations. Features such as fit, form, feel, function and comfort when compared to similar vehicles is what I consider to be best in class and a value standout. Hyundai is/will be an OEM to contend with. Theyve raised the bar to the benefit of the end user.

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  I luv my SUV !!! - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Michigan - September 12 - 9:53 am

  I bought it a year ago and, even when I see the new Santa Fe on the roads, Im very proud of my last years choice ! Nice, safe, excellent warranty and quality, needs only to get the scheduled maintenance and it runs forever... Its nice to have the automatic 4X4, in this way everybody can have it without even think about "when to switch it on" or "how to do it"... its just there, only when you need it !

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  BANG for the BUCK - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Peter Ginakos - September 12 - 6:00 am

  I have owned and driven many diferent European and American makes, this is my first asian purhace(although this car is made in the states),the 2006 Sonata Clearly is the BANG for the Buck in its Category.