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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  Great buy - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Manny - September 4 - 5:13 pm

  I just purchased a 2009 Limited AWD Santa Fe, and I am so glad I did. It looks and drives like a luxury SUV. It really has all possible safety features available today, and feels secure. I would recommend any of the new Hyundai because of the huge improvements done in these recent years.

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  09 limited V6 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By noelclark - September 4 - 3:56 pm

  Just ended a lease on an infiniti m35 and picked up the 09 limited v6 with nav. So far I have put 1800 miles on it including one 800 mi. Trip. I looked at the Camry, accord and altima but went with the sonata based on reviews and price. I was out the door for just over 23k and that was with every option. The sticker was over 30k. I am getting just under 30 mpg on the highway and low 20s in town. Considering my last infiniti was just over 50k loaded and I could have bought 2 of these with money left over its an amazing deal. Just like Hyundais advertisement says "think about it" I am glad I did.

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  I loved my little Hyundai!!!!!! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Denise - September 4 - 1:09 pm

  This was my first ever car! It recently got totaled in an accident (other persons fault). I didnt have on a seat belt and walked away with some minor bruises! This little car is safe reliable and GREAT on gas! I would have rode this car til the wheels fell off if it hadnt been totaled!

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  A winner! - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By goldie305 - September 4 - 12:13 pm

  I was sitting with some friends discussing their cars (Infinity G35, Audi A8, Subaru Outback). I asked if they knew anything about adaptive transmissions. One asked, "Does yours have that?" After I replied, they became interested in other Azera features. Finally, one punctuated the discussion by concluding, "Hyundai must be losing money on every car they sell just to break into the market. How else could they give so much for so little?" It IS a great car and a great value.

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  azera - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By ron - September 4 - 10:02 am

  Love the car overall, however, lettering on headlight and windshield wiper switch very faint and almost illegible compared to other vehicles in Hyundai line, such as the sonata--trying to find out why--dashboard also replaced as it cracked.

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  my 2n Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By JAGXKE - September 4 - 10:00 am

  W bt a Sante Fe 2 years ago, and I has an Acura Integra. Now I just purchased a 04 GTV6 Tiburon, which is the greatest little car in the world! I commend the engineers & desgners at Hyundai for producing a truly beautiful car. What fun to drive and I have had many great cars over the years.

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  Fantasitic Car - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Paxton Webb - September 4 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. Luxury with wood grain dash and heated leather seats. Rear AC. By far the most bang for the buck!

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  Big Features for a Little Car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jwchick - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Car has many features found on luxury models, alarm sys, auto mirror adjust, remote locks, 5 way adjust seat, trip odometer, overdrive, power everything. Big features for little car at great price -- uy when 0% promo is going on -- cant beat price for amount of car you get.

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  Santa Fe Is a Great Buy - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mxms344 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  The Santa Fe excells in every category except for one in my opinion. The fuel economy is not what I was expectiong from a 4 cycl. engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. But that being said the comfort of the ride and the spacious interior matched with the affordability and reliability greatly over shadow the fuel economy.

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  Amazing Value - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Daniel Wagner - September 4 - 7:33 am

  Ive driven my new car about 1,250 miles & love it. Its comfortable, handles well & is fun to drive (and Id been driving a MINI Clubman). Its brakes are excellent; its headlights are better than the MINIs; the controls are easy to operate. On the downside, you really feel road bumps (which I expected), the engine is a bit coarse (no surprise either), and the sunroof whistles loudly when fully open at 40 mph and above. But at a price of $19k+, w/ a lot of room, reputation for reliability & standard features, the competition cant come close: integrated iPod, XM radio, heated seats & mirrors, sunroof, fog lights, trip computer. Youll need to add Bluetooth, however, as a dealer option.