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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  2009 Hyundai Azera Limited - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Jeff B. - October 7 - 5:41 pm

  After hearing so many of friends rave about their Hyundais I finally decided to investigate when I needed to replace my 2000 Volvo V40. Well, I was equally impressed, with both the reviews and the car. I wasnt planning on buying right away but the value of price & luxury that the Azera offered was too tempting & I have not been disappointed at all after having the Azera for just a week. I have put on over 600 miles on it already. Plush seating, fantastic sound system, more than ample interior space, plenty of power when needed along with stylish looks. This is by far the nicest most "decked" out vehicle Ive ever owned & it didnt break my bank either! It blows my old V40 away in every way!

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  Not bad - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By KoryuKitsune - October 7 - 5:14 pm

  Its not really that bad of a car. It ran great until the Transmission blew (THat or the head gasket were not sure what on yet). Only got in one wreck in it and that persons license plate numbers are indented in the car and thats it. Its a Sturdy car. I really wanna fix it up.

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  2007 Hyandai Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By jrh - October 7 - 10:10 am

  Feels powerful and quiet on the road.

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  Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Dennis - October 6 - 7:16 am

  Bought this car from a friend, sent it to Budapest Hungary, What a great car

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  Switched from Toyota - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Schryer - October 6 - 1:46 am

  I had intended to purchase a Toyota Camry because of strong satisfaction with previous Toyotas. However, the Sonata has more front head room and leg room than the Camry, which is important to me because Im 65" tall. Also I like the looks of the Sonata better than the new Camry. The fact that the Sonata does not have an engine immobilizer system, which is standard in the new Camrys, also influenced me. I feel strongly that potentially unwanted features, such as an engine immobilizer, should be optional not unavoidable. Ive only had my Sonata for a little over a week, but so far Im very pleased with it. I bought the 4-cylinder GLS model for fuel economy and find it to be quite peppy.

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  A very safe car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By LYONESS247 - October 5 - 3:01 pm

  After owning my new elantra only 3 months, we loved it but I found out the hardway yesterday just how safe my car was, my husband, four year old grand- daughter and I were returning from an outing, when we were involved in a terrible accident, we were hit on driver- side then a bank, then rehit again before coming to a stop. We had damage from end to end on driver side and rear end, neither drvr door opened, side curtain airbags employed and my g- daughter and myself were able to walk outwith only bruises on our necks from seat belt restraint. My husband not a mark. The car, a total loss, if you saw it you would not believe we walked away. Thank you 4 such a safe car!

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  Hyundai Sante Fe Review - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bhafen1 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  We love our Sante Fe. Lots of rooom. We got the LX -- it feels like a luxury vehicle with the leather and heated seats. We can get a LOT of stuff and people in our suv. Weve taken it on several road trips and camping trips.

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  The Hyundai Santa Fe thinks its a Lexus - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Helicopper - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Weve traditionally owned Toyotas (10) and loved them, but a test drive in the Santa Fe sold us. Were so impressed with the quality of the construction, fit and finish of the vehicle. We love the bank vault door feel when closing a door, the well-thought-out design of the dash and other controls that puts everything within easy reach, the quality materials used for the interior and exterior, the great sound of the Monsoon in-dash CD changer and speakers, the well-placed and spacious storage areas, the beautifully done leather seating, the smooth yet powerful engine and transmission and the secure, quiet ride and precise handling. Even love the cute first aid kit! I could go on forever.

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  Under valued no regrets - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rob - October 5 - 9:18 am

  Hated cold steering wheels and interior noise. This car eliminated both. With heated steering wheel & seats my 75th winter isnt nearly as tough to take. Talking on phone is better in this car than in the house, much quieter. Safety features with sound alerts backing up and lane changing definitely will keep me behind the wheel as I age. Handling at higher speeds is most reassuring and makes driving a pleasure. Possible Icy road sound alert was a little puzzling until I waded through the thick manual. Would be great if they just put a demonstration on YouTube for all the equipment loaded in this well thought out sedan.

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  Love My Hyundai! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sandra Van Domelen - October 5 - 8:09 am

  This is me second Elantra (other one was a 2008 my daughter-in-law bought from me) and it has been amazing. I love how it handles, the comfortable seating - front and back - plus the gas mileage. I am definitely a big fan of Hyundai.