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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  best deal - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By matt b - July 16 - 4:49 am

  I spent a lot of time on line researching the purchase of a second car. Hyundai warranty is very persuasive. Had all the intentions of getting a 09 sonata limited with the navigation option. After a very satisfying demo of the sonata, I made the mistake of sitting in a 2008 leftover azera. This car wowed me right away. After some negotiating, I was able to purchase the azera limited, with the ultimate nav. Option for an " out the door " price of $27,500. This made it about $2,500 more than the sonata, and it is very well worth it. It is a beautiful ride, and you really need nothing more.

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  Its a great deal - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hisham - July 16 - 4:00 am

  Although I just bought the vehicle, I can tell that it is a good choice. Unlike some suggestions, it felt very stable on the road at speeds over 90 MPH. The standard features and looks are great, as is the price.Add all this to the warranty, and youll find yourself getting a great deal.Compared to competition, Hyundai offers more for a reasonable price. Compared to the Corolla, it has better looks, options, and is more sophisticated. Compared to the Mazda3, it is a smoother ride and also has more options to offer. Finally, I found the Civic quite pricy and the looks on the Elantra are better. Add all this to better safety features and warranty, and youll find that this is a good choice.

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  Better than a Jeep - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Barrie Hobbs - July 15 - 11:43 pm

  I have had 4 Jeep Grand Cherokkes in 5 years and finally woke up to how much money I was wasting my last Jeep an 04 Grand Cherokee Overland lost 50% in 1 year thats more than the Santa Fe cost, mine is a 2.7V^ is great to drive has lots of space and is great fun, the build quality is better than Jeeps and the cabin is better finished the only down side is the radio and lack of power folding mirrors

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  Best Car I ever owned.. Love it!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Linda - July 15 - 8:56 pm

  As far as the driving its quiet and comfortable and we just love it.. It still is as quite as the day we bought it. And the dealer, they are just as nice as the day we bought it. Very kind and considerate. Would buy again from them.

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  Im in LOVE!!! This Hyundai is Stylin - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Maria - July 14 - 8:46 pm

  I loved this car when I drove it for the first time. Thought it was fantastic that the dealer let me take it for 24 hours to test drive, that made me love it even more. My husband really wanted the Honda Pilot, but once I brought the Hyundai home, he loved it for me. Plenty of room inside and love the hideway trunk space.

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  From Truck To Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom - July 14 - 7:59 pm

  For the past several years I have been driving a Full size 1/2 Ton truck and moved to the Elantra because of the price of gas. Once I got past the idea of staring at truck lug nuts I have found this car to be very fun to drive and the ride is way better than my truck. Cant complain about the gas mileage either, I am getting 31 mpg on the highway and a little better than 26 mpg in the city. I cant even come close to the gas mileage in my truck.

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  Love it - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By kduluth - July 14 - 2:00 am

  After lots of research I finally bought this car yesterday - complete with option package 7 (Moonroof, ABS, Traction Control, HomeLink, cargo net, mud guards, floor mats) and I couldnt be happier. The styling is so attractive and the car is incredibly quiet. The stereo sounds nice though I have yet to really crank it up and see what it can do. The V6 isnt as powerful as some that Ive driven but its acceptable. The under-the-hood components are very easily accessible. There is lots of storage and the backseat armrest is a great addition. I highly recommend this vehicle - with that price and these features, you just cant go wrong.

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  Enough Power For Me - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rgunnc - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This car rides and handles far better than Ford Explorers I have ridden in for the 3000 miles we have driven it. We took it to the mountains of NC for a real trial and it climbed even the steepest hills with little effort and maintained 60 mph in cruise, downshifting as needed. Got 25mpg going up and nearly 30 coming back. The horsepower is adequate, not exceeding 4000 rpm on the steepest incline.

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  I love this 2003 Tibby!!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Optimummind - July 14 - 2:00 am

  The moment I saw this vehicle, I knew I had to testdrive it. Although I had my initial doubts since its a Hyundai vehicle, my research and test drive told me that the 2003 Tiburon was an excellent deal. NOw, after 4600 miles of driving, Im still having fun driving this car and the looks and comments I get from people are awesome!! The engine is responsive and sporty, the interior is comfortable, the placement of the radio and AC features are within easy and comfortable reach, the dashboard and other inner components are well-designed and feel like good quality. And, of course, the exterior styling is just so cool!

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  Awesome - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Don Slocum - July 13 - 10:00 am

  We have had the Tucson for about a month and a half...I have already taken a 2000 mile trip....what a great vehicle. The only challange I forsee is being able to get the Tucson away from my wife. We live in Michigan and we cant wait to see how it handles in our winters. With all of its safety features it is very reassuring for my wife to drive. This is our first foreign vehicle.....but if this is any indication.....it will not be our last. The dealership that we dealt with has been fantistic so far...no high pressure...very professional...they let the vehicle sell itself. Try the Tucson..it is a great ride !!!