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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  nice suv - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By csmith - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I really like the way the car handles, and for the price, it has a lot of great features.

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  Incredible value - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Eric Bigelow - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I have the Elantra GT, and what other vehicle offers 5 year 60K mile warranty (bumper to bumper), full leather interior, 4 disc brakes, sunroof, CD player, fog lights, and very stylish guage display for UNDER 14K before tax, tags, and title. i have recevied many compliments and surpirsed looks from people who have taken rides from me. Its not the same Hyundai that your broke uncle or older sister drove ten years years ago. This is a real car at an incredible value. This is the best big purchase Ive made in as long as I can remember.

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  suprise - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By bill barnhart - July 31 - 7:06 pm

  As a person that has not owned anything smaller than a full size American car,the ride, performance, and handling of this were the biggest surprise Ive ever gotten from a car. The car performs exceptionally well! The ride takes a little getting used to. I purchased the car for the warranty, and got a big surprise.

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sapient - July 31 - 7:47 am

  I have been very happy with this purchase. The only downside is fuel economy. I usually get 21 MPG for non-highway traffic (and that is with climate control turned on). For a V6 the MPG is not bad.

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  Im surprised! - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Shambooey - July 30 - 8:46 pm

  This is a neat little car! I got a base GS with A/C and the upgraded stereo as the ONLY options. First time I have had crank windows and manual locks since college! The A/C blows COLD in the sticky MN summers and the stereo is great! Its a peppy little city car and it eats up the miles on the freeway with ease. Noisy above 3500 RPM. Takes bumps well for a little car, too. Top gear acceleration with the A/C on takes a little planning, but I knew what I was getting when I bought it. Driving with the drivers window down on the freeway results in amazingly little turbulence. First tank resulted in about 30 mpg in combined driving - looking for more once broken in.

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  Elated with Elantra!! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Shantay - July 30 - 2:50 pm

  I went to the dealership in hopes of grabbing the Mazda3 i-Sport, that is until I stumbled upon this cute, stylish, sporty little Hyundai. I test drove the i-Sport & several other cars in its class & I know I made the right decision. I am thrilled about all the bells & whistles that are "standard" with this car: curtain airbags, anti- lock brakes, power windows & locks... I have a 7 month old & I feel confident that he is safe while we are driving around town. I actually look forward to my commute to & from work! This is my first car & Ive only had it for a week- I absolutely love my Elantra! My boyfriend drives a Lexus GS300 & he wants to drive my car over his!!

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  Great Experience - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Brian - July 30 - 1:30 pm

  After looking at the Honda Pilot, Pontiac Torrent, Chevrolet Equinox,I found the Santa Fe to have all they offered and more. Plenty of airbags, XM radio, 3.3L V6,large cabin, great fit and finish, but above all a dealer experience like no other. Nice people, no push to but and when they did not have the vehicle with the options I wanted, they went to another dealer and got it. Great car, great dealer, great experience.

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  great bargain - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bill14sun - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I drive a lot for business and this car makes it so much more fun ten any car Ive owned.

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  What a Surprise! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By ssvc - July 30 - 3:40 am

  I bought a 2008 Veracruz Limited FWD in August after thoroughly researching mid- size SUVs. When I test drove the Veracruz, it totally impressed me. It is smooth, quite, luxurous, well designed, high quality, etc. The engine and transmission are wonderful. The gas mileage is great for a mid-size SUV - I get 23 mpg with highway driving. I have driven 5000 miles so far and have not had a single problem. I never owned a Hyundai before but I HIGHLY recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a great mid-size SUV.

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  great car - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By J Charles Hailes - July 29 - 11:58 pm

  Very stylish car and very comfortable to drive. Quiet ride with good entertainment features. Love to drive this car and my kids want to take it every chance they can.