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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  Azera versus Avalon - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By TR - August 30 - 6:54 pm

  Purchased an Azera Limited late July after researching car over a year. Overall, the car is a terrific value. Have been averaging 25 MPG thus far (combination of 60% highway/40% stop and go city). Compared base limited model to Avalon XL. Avalon has reclining rear seat, affordable six disc CD changer, knee airbag and a couple of other features. Compared to Avalon XL, Azera limited offered heated leather seats, 17 inch alloys, standard traction and stability control, active head restraints, rear side airbags, fog lamps, heated wipers, homelink and compass, rear sunshade and air quality system to name a few things, all for a transaction price of $1,000 less than my best deal on Avalon

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  Excellent Value Proposition - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By emsmister - August 30 - 12:10 pm

  I bought this car to commute to work. I am putting on about 400 miles a week, and I am pleased to be doing so inside an Elantra Limited. I own a 2006 Azera and have developed an affinity for Hyundai products as a result of my experience with both of these cars. While not perfect (what car is?), this car is way more upscale than its price tag. With incentives because Hyundai wanted to sell more PZEV models in CA, loaded (sun and surf package added) this car was under $17.4K. XM, high-end Infinity sound system, and heated leather seats make my commute way more comfortable. This is truly an upscale economy car that anyone who wants to save money yet still ride in style should consider.

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  Luxury became more affordable - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Craig - August 30 - 7:33 am

  This vehicle is not in the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord league... I would say my Sonata LX is in more of Lexus or Acura league...Well, Hyundai does not have its luxury division as of yet but it will soon... Its interior is larger than those Camry or Accord. Performance? 6.7 seconds from 0-60 with excellent road management ability. All premium features such as Advanced Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System, ABS are standard. Safety is the best in its class.

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  Great suv for the price. - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mark - August 29 - 8:36 pm

  I was about to buy Nissan Rogue, but after I drove it found it underpowered. I love and look forward to driving it. Easy to maneuver, small turning circle. I have 1,300 miles, 2/3 highway, with 18.5 to 19.5 mpg average. Sticker price was $25,000 including destination charge. Got it for $18,950. Love the underfloor storage. Great looks inside and out. Blue interior lights are awesome.

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  No Problems! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By mike332 - August 29 - 8:11 am

  This has to be the best, most reliable car I have ever owned. 57,000 trouble free miles, unbelievable I know!

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  Fun to Drive - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By piep - August 29 - 6:03 am

  I like the handling of the vehicle, seems it will hug the road. Braking is VERY responsive, afraid to sneeze because it will stop on a dime. Sound system is nice, XM is a plus prefer Sirius. Recommend to anyone. Watch for rebates and incentives. I paid 1500 less than most in my area. Spacious vehicle even with an infant car seat in rear. 27 mpg on mixed country roads, city or highway unknown at this time.

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  Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ksummer - August 29 - 12:23 am

  It doesnt feel like a 4 cylinder. Its very peppy. I love the interior! Very luxurious feel to it. The trunk space is incredible and the options it came with was unbeatable. Feel very secure with the excellent warranty too.

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  Move over volvo and lexus - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By dave mona - August 28 - 10:23 pm

  I got rid of my xc90 volvo. expensive junk. The Lexus for the money is just ok. I am very happy with my limited Hyundai, its fantastic.

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  Sonata Elegance - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Groovy - August 28 - 5:32 pm

  Excellent driving experience! The 2003 Hyundai Sonata- super value, super elegance!

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  A great SUV....Er...Crossover...Er..Car. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skierbri10 - August 28 - 4:56 pm

  This is one of the nicest vehicles I have ever driven. As far as AWD SUVs it is the nicest. I have driven and owned various SUVs and this is by far the best. Jeep, Honda, Toyota dont match it. I am hoping though that they are right about the improved quality and it lasts me for awhile. Though, I have had Hondas that were junk. I guess you just have to get lucky.