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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  Elantra SE Manual - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Paul - August 20 - 5:25 pm

  I just purchased this car yesterday an i couldnt be happier with my choice. After looking and looking over every car manufacturers website and reading reviews and safety ratings an every possible angle, i decided on the Elantra SE.The gas mileage was above an beyond what the sticker says. I got 41MPG on a 60 mile highway trip, on a 50/50 combo of city/hghwy i got 33mpg. the extra options of the SE are well worth the extra money, especially safety features (A/C,Cruise,ESC,Brake assist). XM radio is nice also. If i had an extra 10,000 dollars to buy a car, id still get the exact same car, no doubt! plenty of storage spaces, fun to drive ZOOM ZOOM THIS ONE MAZDA!!! Hyundai is going places...

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  Shockingly TRUE! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By shocktrooper - August 20 - 10:46 am

  Went to test a 2010 Genesis Coupe and walked away with a 2011 Sonata! Felt like spam in a can in the coupe. Felt like a rich-guy in the 11 Sonata. Im a working class, 47y.o. veteran and this is way more car than I could afford from anyone but Hyundai. Climbing out of a 01 4x4 Ranger, this is like a fighter plane! Fast, efficient, comfy and Gorgeous!Harbor Gray Metallica! Can a gruntask for more? At the end of the commute each day, cant walk away without looking back at it over and over again. This IS love! Heh! BTW, seats are great for my busted back! "Git ya some!" Hyundai! Hoo-AH!

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  Not Bad for the Money - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By thornne - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Id have to say overall I love the car. I have 30,000 miles on it, drive it very aggresively and havent had anything go wrong with it. Resale value sucks though. Gas mileage could be better, only average about 26 with a 5 spd, but I do drive aggressive. I think performance and handling are great for a car in this class.

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  Undecided - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By rbolt - August 19 - 6:10 pm

  Great price. Ive been a GM owner for years but couldnt pass up on the look, price and mileage of the new Sonata. However, after three months, the jury is still out. Love the mileage and the look but have already had it in the shop to replace a leaky radiator. There also is multiple rattles in the glove box and dashboard, hood, etc. And one rear speaker buzzes when heavy bass is on. Radio display also fades out when car sits in sun all day. Many good things about this car but not sure after three months and problems already. Stay tuned.

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  Sweet Ride~~~ - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Love ma Tuscani - August 19 - 3:40 pm

  This car truly looks amazing. Its got the Ferrari Modena look to it and after 3 years of owning it, it still looks tight. I got the Infinity sound system with subwoofer. Its real nice. V6 engine is not the fastest but for what it costs, it performs with excellence. Very responsive. This car just looks so sweet in every angle.

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  going good - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Shad - August 18 - 12:20 pm

  I bought this car in July and drove it 1200 mile from Chicago to Houston getting 32 mpg. Was fast on the highway. Its cozy inside. Good design. Have 1600 miles get 27 mpg city only. A bit slow to pick up and less power but overall good ride cheap eco ride with good mileage. Only worst thing is ac its very very weak specially in the Texas heat ufff... Will write a second review after few months. Got se loaded with sunroof, mats, sunroof deflector & leather for 18,250.00 out the door.

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  First tank of Gas - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Eugene - August 18 - 10:42 am

  Good first impression, 1st fill up was pleasant surprise, 33.6MPG. How above 400 miles logged, Tried a 100 mile trip to see how it rides. All seems good, but the radio has a shorter range than my other vehicles. Have to try all the seat adjustments to see which like better. Good all around vision. Vehicle is hard to seen by others.

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  My little go-cart - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Chris - August 17 - 9:47 pm

  This was like a go-cart because of its size and power. A 1.4L is a weak engine, but I assure you it has pickup and I would whip this car around. I drove it hard, but not crazy. No major problems with anything though I have broke both door handles by pulling on them the wrong way. Regular oil changes and sensible (not conservative) driving have me at 92000 miles. I can tell the car is on its way out though. There is a hole somewhere in the exhaust and I just have this feeling that a bunch of things are about to be worn out. Great buy, great car for 8k. Would definitely buy a Hyundai again, its just simply worth the money (no headaches at 92000)

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  Entourage SE - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By love it - August 17 - 9:03 am

  Buy it! I traded our Sante Fe because my father needs a little more comfort. The ride is super quiet. Acceleration is so smooth, you cant feel it. RPMs are great when driving 45-55mph. Wish the gas mileage was a little better, but with all the other pluses, Im willing to take a small hit on fuel economy. Everyone was upset with me for trading in the Santa Fe, now everyone LOVES this minivan. I got the South Pacific Blue. All the neighbors wanted a look. I will be keeping this vehicle for many years. Buy it, buy it, buy it! You wont regret it.

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  Great Car, I will buy it again. - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Peter - August 16 - 7:58 pm

  First, when I was buying a car, I was looking for a car that will fit my family. I wanted to buy a used car, later I decided to buy a new one. It was Sonata. It has great warranty. It is reliable car. It does pretty well with millage plus it is fast enough. I love to ride in the backseat, it is so comfortable, but the long window during a sunny day will burn your neck in the back seat. There should be a radio station changing on the steering wheel. Steering wheel should be telescopic. The shoulder rest should be a bit longer or at least should be expandable like in European models. It could be a bit quieter at the back, the ride is smoother in the front seat than in the back. I think that is all