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:

• 

  Great Car Very Safe - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sheri - May 10 - 10:37 pm

  Excellent car had it for 4 years only had to replace battery , thermostat, and brakes, only maintenance i did was change oil every 3000 miles, change out coolant ,change timing belt and all other belts and air filters and of course oil filters and wiper blades did NO other maintenance . Car saved my life in a major accident recently. Did excellent job in crash. Was hit by other vehicle going 80 mph. and I walked away with only minor bruises and a little soreness, of course was wearing seat belt, But the car was totaled but I was unhurt for the most part. Could not ask for better car. Great gas mileage and reliability. Get Gap Protection it is worth the investment!!

• 

  Rich Womans Taste, Poor Womans Purse - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By MNorris - May 10 - 5:26 pm

  While my dream car WAS a Mercedez Benz, being a hard working professional, and single mother I couldnt afford it. In doing my initial car buying research I discovered the Hyundai Azera! An exisquite car for an exisquitely decent price! Ive had it for a full week now and have turned quite a few heads. And while my ego would love to believe that the men are looking at me in my car, I know that they are checking out my ride and saying to themselves, "Nah, that cant be a Hyundai!" Well move over Buick LaCrosse and Toyota Avalon, and Mercedez Benz, you all have some competition!

• 

  Hyundai Elantra 2001 - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By falugo - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I have never fallen in love with a car before... they were an instrument to get me to work and back! Now I look forward to long trips with the wife and having the time of my life.

• 

  Overall Excellent Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By micahnova - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I have not owned my car for more than 2 months, but already can tell that Ive purchased a good one. Much care and precision went into making the Hyundai Elantra. Everything feels sleek and well designed. Taking a look at the over-all driving experience, this car is worth the price.

• 

  Love My Tucson!! - 2013 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tee75038 - May 9 - 2:19 pm

  This is my first small SUV and I love it so far. I have only had the car 3 weeks and things are going fine. The looks is great, the size is perfect for me and the prices for the GLS model was well worth it especially with all of the additional features that were not available on the Nissan Rogue (my other option). The only 2 bad things I would note for now is the accelaration is a little sluggish but nothing major. The bluetooth does connect to android phones but you cannot control things like you can with and iphone. Overall I am enjoying my new car.

• 

  2016 Base Elantra, manual tranny - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Pastor Jef - May 9 - 5:11 am

  Dependable, easy driving, good space in the back with the seats down.

• 

  Pretty good overall - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joe from Chicago - May 8 - 6:43 pm

  Overall its a very nice car. The interior feel is very upscale. My wife is not thrilled with backseat storage and there are only 4 cupholders, 2 in the back seat arm rest, but other than that it is a very nice car. Only 1100 miles so far. The mileage is a little lower than stated, but I do a lot of short hop type of driving, so I can understand that. Also, weather has been cold/chilly which also affects it and I probably havent gotten past the break-in period. Other than that, I love it. XM 3 month trial is very nice. The sound system and radio are awesome. You have to buy a $30 cable for the IPOD to work correctly, but its awesome. Ride could be a little smoother, but overall is good.

• 

  couldnt be happier - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rpost - May 8 - 12:03 pm

  Good Stuff! previously owned 3 Toyotas and looking for a change. Found an affordable, adorable, reliable mini- SUV. I always admired the look from a far and now Im thrilled that its super comfortable,perfect height,solid construction (heavy doors,easy handles,solid accessories). I can fit 2 bikes with no problem and the perks are great (heated seats,cruise,leather)

• 

  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Susan - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had it a few week, but I love it. So easy and fun to drive. It has plenty of pick-me-up which surprised me since its a 4-cyl. I think its the classiest look on the road. Does everything the high end cars do but at a much better price. I highly recommend it.

• 

  Love My Veracruz - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Kathy - May 7 - 3:33 pm

  I love this car. It drives smooth, is amazing on ice and snow and is just as nice to look at as the Acura everyone else seems to own here in Alaska. I was surprised at how quick it accelerates and it purrs at 70 to 75 mph. The Bluetooth is a feature that I will never live without. For the $ I paid ($24K) I feel like I got the best car for the money. I smile every time I drive it. Dealership support also has been fantastic.