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 Little Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ashley - March 28 - 5:36 pm

  I love this car. Its great on gas, its fun, and its cute! Im hooked on Hyundai Elantra. Whenever this one has seen its best days Im getting another one. Its well worth every dime!

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  Great car - 1995 Hyundai Elantra
  By My Hyundai - March 27 - 4:34 pm

  I have owned my Hyundai for 13 years and only have had to have regular maintenance on it except for the sensor which just went out this year (2008) My car is a 1995 Elantra. My husband and I basically keeps it going with regular oil changes and regular maintenance. I have owned at least 5 cars in the past but this is the best one except for the gear shift which sticks a little at this point. This car drives better than most brand new ones. It has a smooth fast and easy take off. Some of the others that I have owned usually hesitated after the light turned green as if to say do I want to go or not. I really like my 95 Hyundai!

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  Great car for the money - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Mladen - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Frist of all this is a great car. If you are going to buy it, make sure you shop around first, I got my Genesis Coupe for $18,500 + tax, title, processing fee. The turbo model is great, its not super fast but it has enough power with great handling and great looks. I get about 420-450 miles per tank of gas, that is great for a sport car. The interior is beautiful, comfortable, and the whole cars looks great. No other car out there in this class can offer you the options, looks, and fun this that this car gives you. I have people stop and check out my car while its parked, that says it all. I cant wait to go to work in the morning just so I can drive my Genesis, love this car.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Randy - March 27 - 4:26 am

  Bought this vehicle a few weeks ago, drove to ca from az. was impressed with the interior features and general comfort. a bit weak on the gas mileage thus far. Smooth riding/good handling vehicle. fun to drive. nice size. could use a bit more cargo space.

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  What a great car, just not comfortable - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By medoc - March 27 - 12:22 am

  I must have gotten a really well built one, because I never had any of the problems with the electrical system, transmission or windows coming off. Ive had my car for three years, it was one of the first to hit Detroit in 2009. I did have the problem with the brake sensor not allowing the car to start, but that was replaced and havent had a problem since.I love the way this car handles and its power, but I have to say that I cant drive more than 45 minutes without severe butt pain. Thats why Im moving on to the Genesis Sedan when my lease is up, and thats now.

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  Saved his life - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JCS - March 24 - 6:53 am

  It saved my 16 years old life when an 18 wheel truck ran through a red light at about 55 mph and hit him at front on drivers side. He walked away thank God with no injuries (as we can tell) but a bump and bruise on his head. Car is probably totalled but it saved his life. Thanks.

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  2002 Santa Fe LX 4WD Pewter - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lpjxk0 - March 23 - 10:23 pm

  The vehicle drives like a luxury car, quiet, smooth & responsive. It is a heavy vehicle and I am averaging 20 mpg combined city/highway. The workmanship is top notch,and it looks great. I notice many people looking at the vehicle when my wife and I go to the mall.

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  Almost two years, i still love it - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By FC - March 23 - 6:42 pm

  I have driven this car for almost two years and 16,300 plus miles it has not given any problems, even though fuel prices are almost $4.00 per gallon, Im still glad i bought the V6 instead of the 4 cylinder, the 4 cylinder model only gets a 2 mpg gain in average mixed driving the V6 is worth the drop in mileage because of the performance of the engine, I do like Honda and Toyota but they about 3k-5k more than a sonata with the same equipment, This only car i can say the give you more for less.

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  Rocket - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Rick - March 23 - 6:32 am

  The gas mileage is around 20 mpg. The acceleration is awesome. It is easy to hit 100mph just passing a caron the interstate. I got a ticket the first time I went out on the highway.Love this car.

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  2010 Elantra Touring - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By JIMMY - March 23 - 5:50 am

  Purchased in late January. very roomy and comfortable...solid feel, almost like a small SUV....great on gas.