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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  best buy period - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By chelberg - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 2002 sontata gls and I love everything about it. First, its cheap and it is very smooth. I have 17000 miles from driving on highway everyday. There is absolutely no problem. Youll love this car after the inital breakin. I know some dealers have jacked up the price but if you get it for less than 18000 including tax than you have done very well

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  Very User Friendly! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Nick W - February 16 - 10:00 pm

  I bought this car almost brand new. It had only 6,000 miles when I got it in 2001. I have driven this car all over the USA, putting close 90,000 in the 5yrs I have owned it. I have never had mechanical problems out of this car. I can say it has been good to me. The car is very very reliable and the gas mileage is great also. The only major downside is the resale value. You better never try to sell it coz you will be SHOCKED!! The car depreciates at an alarming rate.

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  1st Hyundai Genesis - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By shadowplayer51 - February 16 - 3:56 pm

  Today I got the new Genesis, the first one sold in the U.S according to the factory the dealership got them from. The interior is as awesome as promised. I am 63" and my 62" son fits behind me with plenty of room. I got the premium plus package and everything is awesome. Black on Black with Metallic Paint, and I am happy to say that it will be possible to debadge the car. Like I said the interior is spacious and comfortable with plush leather. XM and Bluetooth and 6-disc changer, the 14 speaker Lexicon system is AWESOME.

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  Bang For Your Buck - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Valubuyer - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my GT Hatchback for 30 days now. I have found it to be a fantastic car. I realize there are a significant percentage of buyers out there who will not be satisfied unless they have paid a lot of money for their vehicle. Try as you might, you will be unable to pay more than $14,000, so you folks will need to look elsewhere. I went with the hatchback vs. the sedan trim based on the distinctive style. A word of caution however; the hatchback model with ABS/moonroof package seems to be a pretty rare animal. Be prepared to wait for delivery.

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  What a car!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By RikerWT - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Excellant vehicle! I would recommend this car to anyone. The dealership has been great to work with and the car is everything that I had hoped for.

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  I love my Sante Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By phylvanem - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This is the first new car that I have ever bought that hasnt had to be taken back to the dealer to fix incidentals. Nothing has ever been wrong, or unfinished. I am from Detroit, so this is my first foreign car.

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  Shopped for 1.5 years - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Joe Sadlier - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I got th FW drive and the 3.5 Liter engine. I discovered that the FW drive can tow more weight than the 4WD. I dont plan to go off the road anyway and if the snow gets to deep Ill wait till it melts. You cant beet the warantee. 10yrs OR 100,000 miles power traine.

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  unbelievable car and value - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dustin walters - February 15 - 10:00 am

  my hyundai santa fe has impressed me so much that i now own two hyundais. more options for less money. since i have purchased my car, j.d powers and assoc. has done nothing but rave about the entire product line that hyundai makes. that really makes me feel good about the cars that i own.

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  Love My VeraCruz - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Cameron - February 15 - 2:46 am

  When we bought the VeraCruz we had looked at probably 15 different SUVs and the VeraCruz was the best for you money. I was very very surprised how much power the car has, It can get up and go. Love the 10 Speaker infinity Sound system with Cd changer, Nice looking wheels. I drive this SUV alot on the Highway and get about 23-24 MPG. I love the turn signals on the mirrors. Also love that the dash lights up blue. I used to be in love with my Explorer but we I got this i fell in love all over again and my 03 Explorer just sits.

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  Azera, the Lexus beater!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By mayorjim - February 14 - 3:33 am

  I once owned a Lexus RX 300 and I can honestly state that the Azera beats that Lexus hands down. The engine is so quiet that twice I tried to restart the car because I thought that the motor was not running, wrong!! I do not think that they can make a more luxurious interior than the all leather interior Azera. The fit and finish is perfect, no blems, tight seams, very high quality materials. The suspension soaks up road blems and you get the sensation of riding in a limosine. The 10 speaker radio is a real killer. Such other extras as rain sensing wipers, electric rear window sun screen, auto on headlights, heated seats, the list goes on and on. This car has everything you could want. Buy one. I havent even mentioned the great warranty, 10 years and 100,000 miles.