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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  WOW is all i can say - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By jasiel - January 21 - 11:33 pm

  Well all I can say is that this car is great and has outperformed many cars like the jetta, magnum, accord and some more this car is great I will recommend this car the interior is clean and the gauges are great.

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  First Impressions - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tom K. - January 21 - 11:03 am

  Just bought it this past weekend, but already I know Im going to like this car a LOT. Im only getting 19.5 MPG on the first tank, but well see how it goes. Got a GREAT deal. A lot of car for the money. Excellent quality.

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  Excellent Purchase! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Ms. Lidwine H. Comea - January 21 - 3:16 am

  I purchased my Tiburon new and with the exception of one factory recall for a seat belt issue, I have had no problems. I have a five-speed 6 cyl, and get great fuel mileage, both in city and long distance driving. I have the required maintenance done and with 45,155 miles on this baby I have only one complaint. The low profile tires require replacing every two years or so. This is not Hyundais fault, its the tire manufacture that need to be more responsible in making a better "low" profile tire. The AC, clutch, transmission, etc., has never given me any problems, and Ive traveled back and forth to Canada several times with no problems or complaints. Great vehicle!

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!! VWs no more! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Thetaj - January 20 - 11:26 pm

  Ive been driving Volkswagons, Jettas and Passats to be exact for over 15 years and those cars had so many bugs! My last two VWs were in the shop all the time. I kept seeing everyone driving Hyundai and I keep hearing about these heaven sent warranties, So I walked into a Hyundai dealership and saw my baby!!! I black opal, Elantra Touring... I didnÂ’t even test drive it but I knew it was the one! I ran home and got my husband and we test drove it... he rolled his eyes and I fell in love (again, of course). IÂ’ve never had a Bluetooth and I love it! I love the iPod connection, SWEET! Im really into wagons right now and this one is sexy and functional!

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gogrego - January 19 - 7:56 pm

  23,000 flawless miles! Well almost. Its only been back to the dealer once after about 2000 miles to reset the check engine light. It hasnt come back on since. Also, the auto climate control got stuck on 68 degree outdoor temp and they fixed that. Theres a TSB on it. Since that time all Ive done is change the oil. I also pull a 3000 lb small travel trailer with it occasionally. Pulls it great. Very stable. MPG with trailer is 10-13. MPG without trailer= city 17-18 / Hwy 22-25. The best mpg I ever got was a long trip locked on cruise on a fairly flat road going 65 to 72 mph max. It averaged 25.6. On the trip back I went 75-80 and it got 23.5.

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  Sonata Limited - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By doug130 - January 19 - 4:03 pm

  Have 6000 miles .....just great around car..looks good...rides good...by far best value in this car segment. Have owned many hondas....the sonata is hands down a better value with same quality

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  Best Car for the Money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By John Lee - January 17 - 5:13 pm

  I own an Infiniti FX, BMW 530, MB E320 and the Azera is quickly becoming my favorite car to drive. The interior, fit/finish, build quality, ride quality is on par with the other luxury makes I own. In fact, the Azera is faster and has a more quieter, potent V6 than the MB and BMW. The interior cabin is absolutely quiet at high speeds. I installed after market Xenons and an Eclipse Dual Din Navi, which completes this vehicle. A poster here claimed that the Azera had below average crash test numbers. That is false! Look it up yourself on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (safercar.gov) and the Azeras only been tested for the frontal test getting 4 stars.

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  Perfect if ride is fixed - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Carolina Bob - January 17 - 1:38 pm

  Updated review of Limited with Ultimate package. At over 7,000 miles and 10 months, everything works perfectly. Still has the best interior layout of any car I have looked at and exterior is very impressive. The ride is good, except over road bumps and imperfections. Even with new shocks, I still feel bumps in the car seat when I hit them. Tested 2008 Lexus LS 460 and Infiniti M35 last week and still prefer my Azera. LS rode much better and M35 was somewhat better. Fun to drive would be a 10 if ride was better. Get anywhere from 28 to 32 MPG on the interstate at speed limit plus 5 MPH. Hyundai dealership in Anderson SC has been outstanding and very cooperative.

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  many plusses one negative - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pghbob - January 16 - 6:53 pm

  this is my fourth hyundai--sonata, azera, tucson and now the santa fe. Lots of bang for the buck. Safe feeling with loads of comfort. Leather seats--heated--wife loves them.

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  Hyundai XG 350L - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Joe Trangata - January 16 - 2:00 am

  We liked the XG 350L that we purchased two of them. The gas pedal is very sensitive however when you get accustomed it is fine. The auto is one of the best values on the US market. We have owned previously German vehicles as well the Cadillac seville the XG350L ride is just as comfortable.