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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  Awesome car. Great mpg AND fun to drive! - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By sumeetd - June 8 - 2:20 am

  Im 17 and this was my first car. Being a teen, I dont make a lot of money, but thats ok since this baby gets great mpg. On average I get about 33 mpg. Plus the car itself is really fun to drive. The car is extremely nimble. With my aggressive driving habits, I find myself weaving through highway traffic with ease.

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  I love my new Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By BRIAN - June 8 - 12:26 am

  Love this car..its my second one..I had a 2004 for 19 months and upgraded to a 2007..Ive only had the new car 10 days but I cant pry myself away from it..Handles great in the snow with the ESC traction that assists with that. Great value..Ive recommended the car to 3 people already.

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  Good Buy - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Martin - June 7 - 6:16 pm

  The only problems I experienced with the car were caused by dealer service. Other than that, its been one of the best cars Ive owned - and my first "luxury" car. Ive since also added a Santa Fe to my "fleet". The XG300 is comfortable to ride in and to drive. Id recommend it to anyone who wants luxury without the price of a Lexus or problems of a Cadillac.

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  WOW - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By geosh06 - June 7 - 5:23 pm

  I just bought a 2006 Sonata LX with the moonroof and subwoofer add. I really wanted the new Honda Acoord but after pricing the new Sonata i just could not justify paying $3,000 more for a 4cyl Honda Accord Ex. The only improvement i can sugguest for Hyundai to do is to add a channel changing button to the steering wheel volume controls. If you have been kicking over the idea of buying a Sonata like i have just go ahead and get one... You will be pleased.

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  Fun to drive - 1996 Hyundai Accent
  By valpak - June 7 - 5:01 pm

  Bought new. No problems for first 8 years then things started to go wrong. both door handles have broken off. I have loved the car for the most part. I am considering buying a 2008 accent. It is a great buy for the money, roomy, fun to drive, great gas mileage. What more does someone want! We must have liked our 96 if we are looking to buy a 2008, plus a warranty that is great. If you are thinking of buying a Hyundai it is a great buy and you wont be sorry!

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  sure not sorry - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By sure not sorry - June 7 - 3:56 pm

  Very pleased for the first 1,000 miles.Went on two 400 mile trips and by on board comp. avg 35.1 mpg and 35.5 for second.50/50 freeway/city. Hard to believe but welcomed.Very quiet and smooth ride. All passengers commented on how comfortable the seating was.The 175hp 4 cyl engine has all the power most anyone would ever need.Ive had more expensive cars but I really dont think they did any better than this Sonata.

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  Azera 2006 - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Richard - June 7 - 2:46 pm

  This car that I now drive is one of the best cars that in over 55 years I have owned. Most every manufacturers top of the line automobile ( the automatic truck opener) that needed a visit to the dealer near my home has been the only time I needed to visit the dealer. On the highway, real good gasoline mileage and just average in city driving in the winter when we are visited by loads of heavy traffic from the snowbirds. I use only Mobil one oil and have never added a drop of oil between oil changes. My car being one of the first of this model did not come with a navigation system, but has every other item one could ask for.

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  Goes Like Stink - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By njoy - June 7 - 1:51 pm

  We bought our Azera new two years ago because an Azera passed our Mazda going up a steep hill. We werent used to that. Cant understand anyone who says this car doesnt go like stink. There were two models available and we got the one with the V6 3.8 engine (the cheaper model had a different motor -- the overview doesnt mention that so maybe a Canadian option) and all the bells and whistles. The ONLY vehicle that comes close is the Passat and we leave it behind on hills. The passing performance is simply spectacular which we need because we pass a lot of big trucks on icy roads. Fabulous car. More for comfort than performance? I think not.

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  Love This Car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Roxanne - June 7 - 9:21 am

  I bought this car back in September 07. I loved it then, and I love it now. Previously, I had a 99 Saturn SL1. I definitely discovered what I had been missing all those years. I love the way this car handles, how safe I feel in it, receiving multitudes of compliments from the interior design, the roominess, and more.

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  Just Needs More Comfortable Front Seats - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rgravesjr - June 7 - 6:33 am

  Other than the front seat bottoms,which need to be about two inches longer, my wife and I are happy with the car. Very quiet interior-easy to have a normal conversation at highway speeds (windows up, of course). Dont care for the "proprietary" XM radio. The logo will be there rather you activate or not. And true, the 18" wheels seem to contribute to a little harsher ride on rough roads.