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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  Good Size and 35mpg! No Brainer! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By William - February 26 - 7:16 pm

  I thought being a 4cyl it would be a draw back..But let me tell you it gets every bit of 200hp!! Its Fast and Handle like a BMW I should know Ive had 3. My friends were right to recommend this car it has exceeded my expectations! GET NAVIGATION!

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  Hyundai #9 - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Jeff - February 26 - 3:19 pm

  Excellent quality and value for the dollar. Performs well in town and on the highway with great MPG. Styling and options equal to BMW and Lexus. Turns peoples heads and they ask "What kind of car is that"? This is my ninth Hyundai and I love-em.

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  Awsome Car - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Josh - February 26 - 8:23 am

  This car is great, it has good gas milage, reliablity is flawless, its very fun, its fastit turns heads as you drive by, it sounds nice, and is very exotic looking, inside and out. I would highly recommend this car. You cant go wrong with the Hyundai warrenty. You most definatley get more for your money, I got mine for 15300 out the door, and all my friends envy me. I am very happy with this car, thank Hyundai!

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  One of the finest cars for the price! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By carfanattic - February 26 - 1:06 am

  I traded in my 2004 Honda Accord EX V-6 for the Hyundai because it looked as if it would be a good buy. I was skeptical, but having it now for a little bit, I can say it was the best move Ive made! I have a Mercedes sitting next to it in the garage, and the Hyundai gets more WOWs by my friends! The ride is unbelievably smooth in the city, its quick on the highway, the interior is comfortable beyond belief, and very refined for a foreign car. I would have never thought that a Hyundai could be so good! I have owned a Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon, and I would recommend the Azera over those two very similar vehicles!

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  08 Santa Fe - Love it! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Reesemurphy - February 25 - 11:56 am

  Had my vehicle for over a month now, and I LOVE it. Nice interior, nice ride, great style - especially for the price. You just cant beat this spacious SUV and its 10 year warranty. It has a luxury feel with an affordable price. Beats Saturn Vue, Honda CRV and Toyota Rav 4 in all areas. Great family vehicle!

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  Vibration - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ken - February 25 - 6:56 am

  I now have 3000 miles on my 2008 LTD. The car is great for design, both interior and exterior. The only problem is a vibration between 45 - 75 MPH. It is not the tires or wheels and Hyundai service has not been able to locate the problem. I rode tested other 2008 Santa Fes and have noticed the same problem. Has anyone else run into this problem?

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  Great SUV - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jonnybegood - February 24 - 10:00 am

  We love it! Well worth the money.

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  Helenas Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Helena Harris - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Selected the 2WD for power requirements. Never ceases to amaze me with the options. Has seat warmers which my husbands $60K corvette convertible does not have. Replaced the multi-grade oil with fully- synthetic oil and experienced a huge difference in its responsiveness.

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  Hyundai, better than ever! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By bizzy81k - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Very reliable silver 5-spd. Only problem- right headlight went out a week ago- but was covered by warranty. As for fuel economy, I average 25.6 mpg during a week of rides between my home and school (about 2 or 3 miles away) daily, and 20 mile trips to work 4 times a week. Not bad considering the way I drive the car.

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  A BMW in Sheeps Clothing - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Mark - February 23 - 8:23 pm

  The XG is by far the best car I have ever owned and at 168,000 miles she is still running like a top. The cost of ownership of this BMW in sheeps clothing has been minimal to say the lest. I keep up with the regular mainteance and expect to get at lest 200,000 miles out of this car. Driver comfort is awsome, Im 66" tall and have no problem fitting behind the wheel. Even with the driver seat all the way back, the rear passenger has plenty of leg room. This car has paid for itself in the past seven years I have owned it. Hyundi, Kamsahapnida for your dedication to imroving your product by listening to what your customers have to say. Something the American car manufactures should do.