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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  Surprised in PA - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Will - May 7 - 7:53 pm

  The car is surprisingly nimble and attractive. The 6 cyclinder engine is powerful and throaty. The dealer however leaves something to be desired. Maintenance department employs strange and scary charachters

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  A lot of Value at a Very Reasonable Cost - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By Edward - May 7 - 7:43 pm

  We test drove several other popular cars and didnt expect the Accent to be the one we choose, but one test drive and we were sold. We wanted a fuel efficient car that would last well beyond the payments and this one was certainly a consideration for us. We wanted a car that was quiet and comfortable to drive. With a seat height that is higher than the competitions and very surprisingly fun to drive handling characteristics, this was the one liked the most.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Knight - May 7 - 3:09 pm

  Really enjoy the Elantra and it is a much better value than the overpriced Corolla or Civic. The SE comes with almost everything you could ask for, while on the Toyota or Civic, so much is optional. When you add the options that the Elantra has standard, the price easily exceeds 20k! As for the comments about the wheel wells and mud guards. Well, the Elantra is not a 4X4 all terrain vehicle. If you want a car for gravel and other off pavement environments, you should have gotten the Santa Fe.

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  Good vehicle overall - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jackie Smith - May 7 - 12:37 pm

  We bought the vehicle used with 125,000 miles and owned it just over 2 years. The mechanics of driving the car were great! The main problems were 3 of 4 doors stopped unlocking with remote, and door to gas tank had to be manually opened pulling cord in cargo area. And occasional problems with brake lights and turn signals.

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  OK value and practical car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Doug - May 7 - 10:46 am

  Pros: easy on the eye very roomy interior for smallish car with nice leather nice suspension that handles bumps very well, gives impression of heavier and higher end car. Cons: Engine runs very hot, maybe inefficient design since gas mileage below average sheet metal very soft (thin gauge?) and prone to dings and dents very uncomfortable front seats for interstate driving headlights burn out too often sun roof causes annoying hums and air pressure waves when used. I would not recommend this car although it is average and of OK value for its price. My advice if you buy one is stay well clear of Hyundai dealer who scam you by calling every 3,ooo miles a "service" at $100+

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  Love the car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jimr - May 7 - 9:20 am

  Just purchased a 2009 Sonata Ltd. V-6 w/Navi. Wow what a car! Power to burn! My daughter got a used 2006 GL and I loved it so much I got one. Double the rebate from dealer plus, 1200 more for trade than NADA plus, other discounts. I feel like I stole the car.

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  Amazing Car - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By SF Sunshine - May 6 - 1:34 pm

  This is a solid car by a solid company. I am constantly amazed by how well thought out all the features are and the high quality of workmanship. I used to rent plenty of Hyundai cars when I traveled for work, and now that I spend more time doing a standard commute, I am absolutely delighted by the fully loaded options. You simply cannot go wrong with the leather interiors and technology options crammed into this car.

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  106,000 and still going strong - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jrenk - May 6 - 8:03 am

  Ive had this car for 5 years now and with 107,000 miles it has never given me an issue. Good around town, on the highway, and decent in the mountains. Found. Snow tires are a must if you have to get out in heavy snow! Comfortable, reliable, with good cargo capacity.

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  exceeded my expectations - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By david j. jones - May 5 - 11:36 am

  Drove to southern Indiana from no. Ill. The week of purchase. The car is better than I hoped. Got 34 mpg on the way home. Car is quiet, smooth, and handles well. Was considering a Toyota but I believe I got more bang for my buck on the elantra. Satellite radio is great. We, re taking the elantra to no. Wisc. Next week. Out Camry is staying in the garage. I would recommend this car for anyone on a budget. Djj.

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  Great Value - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DM126 - May 4 - 1:16 pm

  My wife and I spent 2-3 months researching the purchase of a new vehicle to replace our worn-out Mazda MPV minivan. Final decision came down to the Santa Fe and Toyota Rav4.The Santa Fe won primarily on the greater "bang for our buck". The Santa Fe has more than adequate power. The ride is smooth and quiet. The interior is well thought out and comfortable. The exterior styling is attractive, but not "over-done". This vehicle is a pleasure to drive. I will have to see how reliability will be over time, but Hyundais great warranty helps with piece of mind in that area.