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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  Terrible Suspension** - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rickster59 - May 13 - 4:00 pm

  Purchased 5/09. Initial impression: nice looking and fuel mileage is good for a car this size. After driving for 1 week, my impression as follows: The engine runs smooth however the 5 speed automatic transmission hangs in 5th gear overdrive at 40 mph and engine lugs. Suspension: you hear TERRIBLE road noise inside car and can FEEL any and all road imperfections in steering wheel. Its scary! Loud rattling in trunk area when riding down bumpy roads. Have had car to the dealer 2 xs for this with no satisfaction. Hyundai needs fix this Sonata model as they have done with past Sonatas and issue a recall to install proper struts/mounts. Hard rubber Michelin Tires may be part of the problem

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  I dig - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By I drive hard - May 12 - 3:16 am

  The orange crush color is a definite head turner and the car itself is a fun drive. Before giving it to my girlfriend, I drove it hard. Hard enough to bald the tires and bend the master cylinder. Woops! Weve done mods to car like an AEM intake, headers straight back with no cat to an ARK exhaust, with a stage one clutch and a light weight flywheel, and a short throw shifter. It sounds nice and isnt obnoxious. My only real complaint is that for a V6, 173 hp is a wee bit under powered. I guess that means if you want a bit more bite and more growl do a an exhaust and an intake. The car will get a little more hp and sound real nice.

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  what can you ask? - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By juanri - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Good Looks, Fun to Drive, Power, performance and look add-ons outher just have to look a bit.

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  XG 300L: Driving in Style at a Value - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Auditor XG - May 11 - 2:36 am

  This car is so nice and elegant. It has a lot of features, some even the $30K plus cars dont have. Hyundai offers a great warranty. Its amazing how Hyundai can pack so many features and so much quality into a vehicle that is 25% or more inexpensive then anything comparable to it. If you have any questions or comments, you can email me at pardue77 @ yahoo.com

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  My car Phil.... - 2013 Hyundai Genesis
  By Tsquared - May 10 - 7:24 am

  Really comfortable, quiet and quick enough.

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  Genesis Coupe is on the Market - 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By jdfoster1 - May 9 - 9:43 pm

  The 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe boasts the advances of this Korean company in todayÂ’s world. This new coupe has everything a perspiring luxury car owner is looking for. With a 3.8L engine, this car will give you that feeling of power and superiority that you get from many exotic cars. You will not feel slow in this speedster. This car easily possesses the visual effects of a Ferrari, such as the head-turning effect. With many colors available, such as the vibrant yellow, this car will not be missed as it takes a stroll down the street. The 2011 Hyundai Genesis is a very reliable competitor in the rising sports-car industry.

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  Not A Bad Car For The MONEY - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bigkahunaxxxx - May 8 - 2:00 am

  My wifes Sonota has been a great little car. She has the std. 4 cyl with automatic transmission. Great Fuel Milage - 30MPG on Highway Trips. Seats get uncomfortable on long trips, could use a couple more inches of head room. No Mechanical Problems after 3 years! Good Car For The Money

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  Fun to drive - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By chips - May 6 - 2:00 am

  The transmissioj failed at 69,000 miles. It was replaced by the 1000,000 mile warranty.

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  Ford is the past! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Pam - May 3 - 3:56 pm

  Ive driven Fords for the past 25 years and I fell in love with the Taurus, however it had major engine, trans and elect. problems with poor warranties. Ive had the Sonata 5 days now and need to get used to the stiff steering of the Sonata, the body style of 2010 is bland, but the interior rocks with the XM radio, auto sunroof and roomy design. Great price the the car including good warranty. .

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  Nice vehicle, but shifts like an earthquake - 2017 Hyundai TUCSON
  By John - May 2 - 8:11 pm

  Took it for a test drive along with its sister the Kia Sportage. I think Hyundai screwed it up when they went to the 7 speed tranny. Hopefully Kia wont do it to its next year model