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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  Sonata Beats The Competition - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By psr - February 15 - 5:00 am

  Bought the Sinat LX V6 and find that it defintely beats the Accord and Camry on all fronts. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of room in front and back and plenty of horsepower. Accelerates very well and rides smoothly. ABS brakes are tops and Stability Traction Control helps on bad roads. Trunk is enormous and the 100K mile warranty is tops in this category. The leather seats are comfortable and good visibility from all windows. The CD player works flawlessly and the heated seats are wonderful. Best of all, people have stopped to ask me about the Sonata because its styling and apppearance. That never happend with my Accord.

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  Why I hate my Hyundai - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By Jacqui - February 14 - 5:47 pm

  Sunroof leaks, heater broke,replaced rear wiper motor twice in 1 year ($400each), the brakes completely and calipers? twice in 2 years. I have also replaced the exhaust, the clutch which when it broke damaged the transmission so badly i had to replace both. Also goes through oil like crazy. Spend about $3500 per year on repairs. Doors swing back and slam on your legs as well. Oh loses power trying to go up even small hills. Also bought for $10000 was worth $2500 within 2 years. I hate this car. it is currently in for repairs again. Horrible car. would be great if it ran. Ever. Not worth it even for free, use the money you save on repairs to go on a vacation

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  Great Value for the Money - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Best Deal Going - February 14 - 5:27 pm

  I have always bought new vehicles and driven them between 250-300,000 miles. After exhaustive research which included talking to other Elantra owners I purchased one. I got a tremendous deal out the door including financing for about 15k(on an SE not GLS). On the last trip at 75 mph with the air on, a full load of passengers and full trunk I got 34 mpg. This wasnt based on the trip computer, it was the old fashioned way of calculating.Mixed driving 29 mpg. After 20,000 miles I am thoroughly convinced that this is the best deal out there. I test drove all the other cars in the class and sure some are peppier or handle better but if you are looking for best bang for you buck, here it is.

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  Great features with a small price - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Larry - February 14 - 1:26 pm

  It really hugs the road. The aircon is great for those that like it very cold. The full size spare tire is great. The stock CD/tape/radio sounds great for a factory unit. The leather seats are comfortable.

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  Perfect SUV - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Petras - February 13 - 12:16 pm

  Bought 2007 SF SE with no option packages. Priced as a family sedan, this amazing SUV (or CUV, call it whatever you want) performs as a high-priced Lexus! Fuel economy is OK, not great but cmon, this is sport utility with 3.3L engine. Dont expect to get 28-30 miles per gallon because its not a economy car. Just buy it and enjoy it!!

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  FABULOUS! - 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By William - February 13 - 5:58 am

  big but not too big, fabulous acceleration, great price,

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  Believe - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai Fan - February 12 - 11:43 am

  I bought my 2002 Elantra GT (manual transmission, ABS, moonroof) in October of 2002. 2 and1/2 years later, Im convinced it was one of the smartest things Ive ever done. Seats are comfortable, ride is smooth and quieter than my wifes 2001 Neon, no mechanical problems, and its a great looking car inside and out. Quality look and feel of the leather and controls and more rear legroom than youre likely to find in a compact car. Love the storage capacity with the seats folded. I bought an old house and do lots of home imporvement projects myself. Im always amazed at how much stuff I can fit in there with ease.

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  Love the gas mileage, hate the quality - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Leon - February 11 - 9:11 pm

  It has about 57000 miles on it and its had 3 struts replace and 3 of the mounting brackets for the struts. The cruise controls are in a bind and are going to be replaced. Paint on both bumpers is cracked. Dealer repainted the hood but I got it back with the cluster assembly cracked in 4 places. Motor is very noisy when cold. Gas mileage is 27-28.

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  Great value, great fun - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Herb & Amy - February 11 - 7:34 pm

  This car handles well and at the same time rides very comfortably on the road. Sporty feel without the roughness of a true sports car. Nice combination.

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  What a surprise!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By wamba - February 11 - 3:23 pm

  We decided to purchase a new car for my wife. We looked at several vehicles, and ingress/egress is imporant because she has neck problems/pain. We stopped at a Mazda dealer to look at the 6 and the dealer sold Hyundais as well. WE looked at the Sonata (pretty nice for the $) and then the Azera....Wow! Im 66" and we have two teens that are over 6 as well. The comfort was great, lots of leg room and head room in back, the interior appointments are good quality. Took the car for a ride, performance is more than adequate and the ride is smooth and quiet. Long-term experience will tell, but at first impression, Hyundai has made phenomenal strides.