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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  Great all around car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lenora - May 29 - 4:26 pm

  This car is very fuel efficient, is extremely dependable, and comfortable to drive and ride in. I havent had to have any work done to it - only scheduled oil changes, etc.

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  CUV sport 1.6 L turbo....very nice - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Thetruth - May 29 - 4:44 am

  This car is based on my latest two purchases...I had a 2013 dodge nitro and and a 2014 mazda cx5...the hyundai tucson sport is the most fun to ride and most fuel efficient combined of the three. Its seems wider and longer than the Mazda cx5....and looks more sporty and feels more rugged yet quiet....its a sexy car. I have no regrets other than pushing more for the ultimate limited package...which I will go for next time.

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  my new santa fe - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Anita Corrado - May 29 - 12:40 am

  I am very impressed with my new Santa Fe The gas mileage for a 6cyl, 3.5 engine is 22-24 mpg (fwd). The car has plenty of power and handles very well in the mountains. You can make a u turn in no space at all. The vehicle comes with everything you need without being nickel and dimed to death.

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  WI Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mark - May 28 - 12:46 pm

  This car has a great look, runs great and best of all, saves big bucks on the gas tab. Only one issue... Every bump and crack is heard and felt. Suspension is lacking. Tried to drop tire air pressure and still no luck. Would I buy another one? YOU BET!

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  i had wanted a passat but.... - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By wow - May 27 - 2:00 pm

  after exteensive searching, i had labeled a 99 vw passat my "dream car" but with the price and the bad things i keep hearing about maintanence with vws i kept looking. after seeing the 02 elantra gt i have a new dream car. i cant get over how classy it looks, how loaded it is in just the base model or how inexpensive it is!

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  WOW!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bucsfan9889 - May 27 - 12:43 pm

  This is the car Ive been waiting for Hyundai to build. In 2002 my wife fell in love with a Santa Fe and I bought one for her, I thought it was ok but wasnt completely sold on it. I just bought the GLS V-6 with the 17" wheels and sunroof and couldnt be happier, The only minus I could possibly see is the stereo and no navigation option, but Im just nitpicking at this point. If they keep making cars like this I wont buy another brand of car.

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  My Crome - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Johnny J - May 27 - 2:00 am

  A Great vehicle I use it for Mobile DJing and it is quite dependable. It also is very eye catching. Many good comments from people that I wouldnt expect it from. The customer service has been excellent.

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  You gotta love the look!! - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By aka_rerun - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I think over all this is a very good car. I test drove many other sports coops before I picked the tib. The main reason for my choice is its a great looking car. Second is price and the 3 was it had good handeling. So far I have had only one problem with it during the winter I wrecked one of my whippers because it froze to the the window and I turned them on.

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  2002 Elantra GT Hatchback - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By smille0131 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  A thouroughly enjoyable driving experience for under $20,000. This vehicle is a refreshing example of what a manufacturer can offer if they choose to do so.

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  ELANTRA GT - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By GUICHE - May 27 - 2:00 am

  BEST VEHICLE EVERY HAD HOLDS 4 LG ADULTS WITH COMFORT.GAS MILAGE OUTSTANDING 32MI ON HIGHWAY AT 80 OR BETTER.RECCOMEND RADAR DETECTOR.NEVER FEEL SPEED.HATCH BACK HOLDS MORE THEN SUV`S SON` HAS LEXUS RX 300 WE HAVE TO USE MINE WITH 3 ADUTS 2 CAR SEATS/ LUGGAGE TO GO AIRPORT.WITH SEATS FOLDED IT IS STATION WGN .ALREADY TOOK HOT WATER HEATER.A DISWASHER. REFRIGERATOR IN IT HATCH CLOSED.GREAT SUSPENSION LIKE SPORTS CAR .