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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  A Great Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Larry Maxick - July 26 - 11:00 am

  I have driven every make and most models in my seventy years, and this by far the greatest car I have ever owned, I cant much for the local dealership, which is not where I bought it.

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  MyTibby - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Dan - July 26 - 3:20 am

  I bought the car new in 2002 , the year they skipped and introd the 2003. I fell in love with the model on first sight , so it was the ultimate impulse buy. This model is FUN to drive.Very nimble in city traffic! A great ride for the handling enthuiast. Some people find it under powered , but I never thought so. I am a Bear (55" , 210lbs) of a guy , and it wasnt always the easiest fit , but I learned to love this little hot rod of mine!

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  Awesome minivan for the price! - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Matt - July 25 - 10:42 pm

  We purchased our 2008 Entourage a few weeks ago and love it! The ride is smooth and the space inside is roomy.Hyundai seems like there heading in the right direction, the only downside is the fuel mileage. But were very happy and would definitely recommend it before 34k Honda Odyssey!

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  Problems from day one - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Robbie - July 25 - 7:54 pm

  Had it since 8-07 Within a week my interior dome light broke. had to replace all the tires TWICE, gas mileage isnt as great as they say...i have to fill up AT LEAST twice a week, if not more. I have 50000 miles on it and it overheats bad, and its in the shop getting a new Head gasket...ugh...Trading it in as SOON as i can!

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  Tuscon 2005 - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By California - July 25 - 6:00 pm

  Very fun-to-drive car. Very comfortable and good looking (makes good impression, especiall while its snowing ). Its easy to drive (in winter as well), very powerful engine. Very reliable!

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  This SUV cannot be beat - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By schmoejoe - July 25 - 4:06 am

  After about 1,500 miles I can honestly say that I have never purchased a better vehicle than the 2002 Santa Fe LX FWD. This car has every luxury amenity you could ask for and I cost me less than $22,000. The handling and peformance is terrific and after driving a 1999 Honda CRV for 3 years, it feels like I have really moved up in class. As one editor stated in the mini-SUV competition, if you like the way it looks(and I love it), dont even bother test driving the others.

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  Looking at another Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Bob i - July 24 - 12:16 pm

  I cant count the number of time Im asked about the Azera Limited by strangers. In parking lots, gas stations stop signs just everywhere. The last one was at a gas station. The guy even asked to sit it in. Beautiful was his comment! Couldnt believe it was 2 years old. Loved the whole car and was going to visit a dealer soon. I love the features inside, attention to detail is equal to those other high-end cars. Power when you need to pass. My son played with the auto shift. Cool he said! Nice wide stance, if looking for a sporty ride not this car, its a comfort car. Keep it maintained properly and it will go way beyond 10 yrs/100,000 miles.

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  Fuel Pump Problem - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Graham Johnson - July 24 - 11:25 am

  I read where the 2008 Hyundais are having a stalling problem due to faulty fuel pump design. I want to include the 2007 Hyundais in the mix. Our car was less than 60 days old when it died on the interstate and my wife was nearly creamed by a semi-truck. She now after reading about the fuel pump problems refuses to drive this car.

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  Great Value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Shahid - July 24 - 6:43 am

  I have owned the car for about 6 months. I am proud to own this car. So far I am happy with every aspect of it. The fuel economy is is great, about 26 mpg combined hwy and cty. I love the mp3 player.

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  This is the One! - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By fakeid - July 24 - 12:49 am

  I purchased my Sonata last weekend and so far its amazing. Currently, Im averaging 37mpg. The price was significantly lower than competative hybrids and its extremely well equiped. i previously owned a 2005 Sonata and it was the best car I ever owned. Ill check back in a couple of months and let you know if Im still thrilled with my purchase.