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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  GREAT - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Bob - February 1 - 10:13 pm

  I purchased the vehicle because of the LOOKS.. This is my third Hyundai but first 300+ One of the best vehicles ever purchased.

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  Great price for what you get! - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Gage - February 1 - 4:15 pm

  It may not be the biggest but Im 64 and bigger kind of guy but I fit in it comfortably. As far as behind me goes not to bad nothing lounge like but good enough. For the price of the value edition you cant beat it. Drives great looks great. Havent been in it to long but so far so good

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  Excellent alternative to Civic/Corolla - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By DavidC - January 31 - 10:35 pm

  I am a loyal Honda Civic owner, and my wife is a loyal Toyota Camry/Corolla owner. So we are still in shock when we are shopping for a replacement car this past month we decided on the 2009 Hyundai Elantra SE. What made us make this decision? For me its not really hard to make after a comparison of features and pricing. Its really disappointing how much Civic/Corolla has really jack up their prices, now youre paying more for the "brand name" then actual product. The Elantra, by comparison, no longer just offers a cheap car at a cheap price, but its a great car (by comparison) at an incredible price. Anybody looking to buy Civic/Corolla should definitely give Elantra a hard look.

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  worth the money - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Hyundia - January 31 - 8:20 pm

  I bought this with 14,000 miles. Put a lot of miles in 4 years, about 165,000. Ac compressior went out quickly, leaking oil. Dealer refused to fix because of miles, even though it was under normal ac warranty period. You must change timing belts, all! As scheduled as I done. Faithfully changed oil. Trans started acting up, again I faithfully serviced. I still would buy another one, looking now at 04, getting rid of a 2008, dont like the ride as much as the 03!

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  The Next Best Thing to a Civic - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ramon H. Herron - January 31 - 2:01 pm

  This car was a very good buy got it for 2700 fully loaded sunroof, cd player, check this even had an viper security system. I had no Major problem out of this car just regular stuff brakes, oil, tune up car has over 190,000 plus on it car still get me to and from work. A very good car is u keep it up. Tip please have u timing chain and water pump replaced at 100k

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  Best buy of my life - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Spiritdragon87 - January 31 - 7:23 am

  Ive owned this car for awhile now, and I must say, this is probably the best vehicle ive purchased to date. Its reliability is stupendous, and the car is most fun when you find yourself on a twisty road and youve got the 6- speed manual to play with. I have to say my only complaint is the clutch, but a few bucks will take care of that problem. All in all, this is my new favorite car.

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  My Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By lorilynn - January 30 - 9:40 am

  I never expected to own or love a Hyundai, but this is not the same Hyundai of yesteryear. I LOVE THIS CAR! When I drive, I feel like Im in my own little piece of heaven. The engine is so quiet, the controls are easy and dont require a manual to figure out. The interior and trunk are way more roomier than they have any right to be.

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  Best Value - Price, Perf, Std Features - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By mckim - January 30 - 5:36 am

  I test drove both the Accord and Camry before deciding to purchase the Sonata. The Sonata drove smooth (>Accord, >=Camry) and had the quietest cabin while driving. Add the std safety features and the Sonata was a no brainer. Some people wrote they didnt care for the 2009s updated body lines, but I have a friend with a 2007 and I like the 2009 much better. The taller front grill (now chrome), larger, brighter headlights and overall more angular body lines give the 2009 a more aggressive look. I really like the new interior. The center console looks modern and sports blue lights and a new large display radio. Everything feels solid, esp the doors. Very quiet engine and while driving.

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  You Can Expect Top Shelf -Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By JayAdler - January 29 - 3:10 pm

  June 12, 2008Admittedly, when I went to another county to visit Atlantic Hyundai with gas priced the way it is, I was looking for an economy car to help me beat whatever is ailing us today. A lower payment and better terms were my objective, however crass and vehicle ignorance this may appear to suggest. What I found was a most welcomed and  impressive sales organization and in the case of the vehicle I brought home; the 2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS with the power package intact, the most outstanding vehicle I have personally owned and I was born when Harry Truman was a feisty "show me" President. The Elantra feels the road, has astounding pickup and get go and more. I also saved.-Jay Adler

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  Glad we bought a Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Todd - January 29 - 1:00 pm

  We drove ALL the mid size suvs. We liked the Honda cr-v. We even took it for a half a day and drove around. We went back to close the deal and the dealer couldnt have been more rude. We liked the car, but not going to buy from people who try and push you into it. So we went to Hyundai. Couldnt have been a better experince! We just love the santa Fe. Runs great, and looks great. Love it!!!