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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  Loyal Hyundai owner and sales rep. - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Jason9240 - March 16 - 1:43 pm

  My family and I have owned Hyundai for years and will continue to do so because of hyundais reliability and quality. The Tucson just sells its self do to the standard features you normally would expect from a vehicle several thousand dollars more.

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  My first SUV Experience - 2009 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Fernando Furtado - March 16 - 9:03 am

  Until now it is been a sort of dream. May be because it is my first experience of a SUV, but even though I like it, as I have some good experience on other cars, like MAZDA 323, Renault 21, KIA Rocster ( actually this is a SUV, so I am a litle bit experienced now, and Sephia II, also known as Pectractor, in some Countries.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mattman - March 16 - 8:30 am

  Purchased my GT hatch with 62K for $5600 and after a routine dealer service (rather pricey) have had absolutely no mechanical issues in almost 20K of driving. Mileage is great and theres plenty of highway passing pep. Interior space is incredible. I fit two solid plastic 8X4 ft. folding leg tables AND 8 non- fold hard plastic table chairs in the back and was able to fully close the boot. Who needs a truck? Only annoyances I have are the standard rear seat drip leak & the factory CD player doesnt play burned CDs. In the grand scheme no biggie. The Excel days are CLEARLY over and with their model linup expanding I can easily say Hyundai will again be in my future.

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  Simple Elegance - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By tracer - March 16 - 3:06 am

  I cant believe I bought a Hyundai. Ive got a mercedes, BMW, Honda, and now a 2009 Sonata. Ive got to say, after having the car 3 weeks, Id buy another one. This car is what my recent college grad calls Simple Elegance. Its got the ride and interior of a Lexus, and the fuel economy of a Honda. I bought the car because its got the best warranty in the industry, and the its built in one of the most (if not the most) technically advanced facilities in the world. Im proud to own a Hyundai!

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  love my Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ksdriver - March 15 - 11:13 pm

  After shopping all of the competition, I settled on the Sonata. It offered hands down the best value for the money. I have lived with it long enough to rate it. After 6 months and 8000 miles it is quiet and comfortable. It has all the power you need. The poor gas mileage claims are bogus. I consistently get around 24 MPG in town and 29 MPG on the highway.

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  Its what Honda and Toyota used to be - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By milesclew - March 15 - 10:13 pm

  Buying this vehicle loaded gives you most every creature comfort the average driver could want. You just dont get to have a "premium" label on your grill. The ride performance and comfort is top notch, easily matching the Camry or Accord but at a reasonable price. The warranty is great but the quality probably means you wont need the benefits of the warranty; though the security is nice to have. Until recently Hyundai were looked at much the way early Toyotas and Hondas were seen. It took time to realize that these cars were of high quality. For a "family sedan" you cant beat the package you get. Love my nav system, bluetooth, leather, powre and heated seats, remote start...

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  very nice suv - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By greg hill - March 15 - 8:10 pm

  no problems at all so far!

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  Luxury for Less - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By HyonAzera - March 15 - 6:05 pm

  The 2008 Azera Limited (with the Ultimate Package)is one fine automobile. You can own an excellent, reliable, comfortable, powerful and safe auto for thousands less than the other "driveway dressing" brands. Youll turn some heads (and leave them at the starting line)in your Azzie. It has so many upscale refinements. Very well designed and the mechanicals (transmission and engine performance) behave like a refined auto costing much more. Quiet, comfortable cabin. And a great warranty. If youre looking for a great car at a great price, check out the Azera. Do your homework, give it a drive and youll see...big bang for your hard-earned buck.

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  Its AWESOME - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lee - March 15 - 4:40 am

  Ive always been hesitant to even look at Hyundais. When the new Sonata came out I liked the design and decided to take a closer look. OMG. This car blew me away. So I bought it and have not looked back. I am banking on the 100,000 warranty to run out way before this car does. Honda, Toyota, move over... Here comes my Sonata.

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  Almost There - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By dogula - March 14 - 11:09 pm

  Nice Car. I really enjoy the Handling, Stereo, Power Accessories and Hatchback. High Quality Build with nice fitting and reliable function. Gas mileage is lower than expected but changed to Mobil 1 and added turbonator and increased mileage by 4.7 per gallon and added 11 horsepower to help with passing gear and highway ramp entry. Love the rims, low profile tires and fog lights. I also own 2 volvos (S80 and 40) and I find this a fun commuter to add to the stable.