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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  50K Miles and still love my car - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By astralsqual - February 5 - 8:45 pm

  Shortly prior to buying this car, I was doing a significant amount of traveling for work and so was renting a lot of cars. I had always been a honda fan, but was really dissapointed with the Accord. It just wasnt comfortable to drive. Then I had a Mazda, VW, Suzuki, and more, but I was most impressed with the Elantra. It had a great set up and was easy to drive. I went down to the dealership to look at Elantras and then I saw the Veracruz. I took a test drive and was blown away - So comfortable, nice set up of the control panel, just a really great vehicle to drive. I cant say enough great things about this car. Third row seat is just wonderful to have for carpooling with kids.

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  2nd Veloster - 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  By Deathsykle - February 3 - 5:16 pm

  I am sorry for the haters when I read the reviews out there... They are comparing apples to oranges. With all the mods out there and there is even a Hyundai Performance parts the car can be setup to run pretty well. I am a happy so far with my second Veloster..

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  Happy customer - 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bob Garcia - February 3 - 9:02 am

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  Fun transportation - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Ed B - February 2 - 11:06 pm

  Having owned KIA and Hyundai automobiles since 1987 I found the Tuscon to be one of the best built. I expect that the Tucson will match or exceed the quarter of a million miles that I and my family have put on each of our other Hyundais. Well made, great value, as well as great looks.

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  Doing well at 3,800+ miles - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By maximize - February 2 - 10:36 am

  So far, the Sonata has been living up to most of my expectations. I bought a Pacific Blue Pearl w/ popular package. As I expected, the ride is between a Camry and Accord; not as floaty as a Camry and not as sporty as an Accord. The exterior design is better (in my opinion) than all the other midsized sedans out there right now. Interior cluster, layout is better also. The oil filter and drain plug position is great. I only hope that the carbon deposit issues found in direct injected engines that Audi, VW, and BMW have/had does not occur to the Sonata; time will tell. For $22,3xx.00 drive out, I believe this is the best bang for the buck right now.

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  The Little GT That Could - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By DaBluz - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for about a month and I love it! Im glad I did my research before assuming this car was junk just because its a Hyundai. If you notice, there arent many on the road which makes me feel good. Its great not to be a sheep and follow everyone else to the Honda, Nissan and Toyota dealers. Im a lifer for Hyundai!

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  Its the SUV to buy ! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Debbie from Georgia - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed my Santa Fe in the month Ive owned it. It has a wonderful smooth ride. My other vehicle you got jousled when you went over rough roads or bumps this is exceptonally smooth. It came with alot more standard equipment for the price and the warranty is great too!

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  Love It! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By shan7797 - February 2 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is the best deal on the market today. It is great to drive and has a ton of power. The interior is very comfortable and the in dash 6- cd changer rocks! I cant say enough good things about this vehicle. I am a very happy customer.

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  I love him... - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By forgottenchild - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I think the Santa Fe handles very well, rides smoother than any other SUV I est drove, and offered a lot more at a better price with an unbeatable warranty!

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  great buy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Al - February 1 - 11:00 am

  great car for the money. you get all the extras that others charge extra for.fit and finish is much better than most other cars at this price range.