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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  Unbelievable! - 1997 Hyundai Accent
  By John - June 8 - 4:34 am

  When I read some of the negative reviews about this car, I think I must have linked to the wrong page. I bought this car brand new in 1997 for under 10K. I have driven it hard for 10 years, in all conditions and terrains. It has never once failed me or cost me more than miscellaneous maintenance money. The car handles great and is fun to drive. The interior and exterior look brand new after years, except where a kid hit a left fender playing street hockey. It now burns a little oil, but after 140K miles, it is forgiven.

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  Great little car!!! :) - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Antione - June 7 - 7:03 am

  This is a wonderful gas saving car. I love the performance of the car & I love the sleek exterior of the body of the car. Its fun to drive, I just love the specs on the car. Quality sound system that would blow your mind, Its equip with 6 speakers,cd player,a/c,adjust your seat up/down - front/back, you can also fold down the back seats to create more space. Overall this is a gas saver,and created less pollution then most cars.

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  The Azera Experience - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By guestnurse - June 7 - 1:09 am

  I had never heard of this car but drove by a dealership and saw it sitting in the lot and I loved the sleek design and styling. I stopped to look and at first thought this is way too expensive for me. I loved it from the minute I sat in the very comfy leather seat. The best thing about it to me are all the features and how comfortable the seats are and the smooth ride. I am a new owner and hope that my experience with my Azera is an enjoyable one.

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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Linda L - June 5 - 11:16 pm

  I traded in my 2008 Sonata for the new 2011 Sonata. My 08 was a good reliable vehicle and in great condition. I just loved the new styling on the 2011 Sonata. Ive got 1200 miles on the new car now; and I love it more every time I drive it! The seats are so much better - they really enclose you. People ask me about the car everywhere I go - they all think its a Mercedes or a Lexus. I had the windows tinted and it looks even better now!

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  A Hyundai? Yes, a Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hottdogz - June 5 - 7:59 pm

  We were just minutes away from buying a 2007 Toyota Corolla S and we walked onto the Hyundai lot everything changed. What caught my eye was a sporty little blue car that we thought looked like a Jetta, only nicer. We found the courage to walk into Hyundai territory, only to find the best small car on the market today, the 2007 Hyundai Elantra. When you add up the list of standard features with the SULEV rating, MPG, XM radio and outright fun of ride and drive it was no contest. The Corolla was off the table and staying off the road. We bought a small car because gas prices continue to rise the excitment of it all ended right there. To our supprise, this car Rocks!!!Yes a Hyundai

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  My Baby!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Haroldinho - June 5 - 3:40 pm

  I bought my Tucson on April04, since then, Ive put 6K miles on it with no problems. After reviewing SUVs for months, I was undecided between the Equinox, the VUE and Tucson; fortunately, I think I chose right! Even though I havent had the opportunity to test the 4WD, it seems to be a very solid vehicle with nothing less that good safety features. The vehicle has a decent gas mileage, but the engine could be more powerful; may be they can design a 3.X one able to jump over the 210HP.

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  Wonderful Car & fun to drive - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By KPlove - June 4 - 10:00 am

  The V6 engine is great and has wonderful acceleration. Its smooth and quiet.The front and rear seats are very comfortable for long and short trips.This Hyundai is very beautiful. I always get comments and questions like: "Is that a Mercedes " or "That car must have cost you an arm and a leg" If you can find a car at this price with these features, buy it!!!!

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  I LOVE IT! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By jason alvis - June 4 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND SONOTA IVE PURCHASED, AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT IT. I COMMUTE ABOUT 2 HOURS A DAY, BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, AND I ACTUALY ENJOY TAKING THE DRIVE INTO WORK, AND BACK HOME AGAIN. MY WIFE ALSO DRIVES IT, ALONG WITH MY TWO CHILDREN. IM A BIT OF A WORRY WART, BUT IM NEVER WORRIED ABOUT THEM BREAKING DOWN IN SOME DANGEROUS OR ISOLATED AREA. IF THEY WERE TO BREAK DOWN, I CAN RELY ON THE FREE ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THEY OFFER AT HYUNDAI. ITS A NICE FEELING, NOT HAVING TO WORRY ANYMORE.

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  Best car in its class!!! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By loveELANTRA!!!!!!!! - June 4 - 10:00 am

  So far I have this car for 1 year and it has 35k miles. I havent had one problem yet. i love this car!! When i see a civic or Corolla I just smile and push the gas pedal!You cant get a better deal at this price. Its a great car all around!

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  great car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cobalt99 - June 4 - 7:20 am

  I have been very pleased with the ride and perfrmance of this car. Its our third Hyundai, and the warranty keeps us coming back. The funny thing is that we have only had one repair under the warranties of any of the three cars, and it was a very minor problem (not with the Sonata). I love the smooth ride, and the interior is roomy and comfortable. The instrument panel is easy to read, and I like having controls for the sound system and cruise control on the steering wheel. Its a great car, at a great price. And it will be paid off while I still have a bumper-to-bumper warranty. You just cant beat that!