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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  What a deal! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Carrie - October 1 - 5:50 am

  Not only did I have a no-haggle experience from our dealer, I am more than pleased with the overall performance and handling of our new Tuscon. The insurance on this vehicle was right in line with other comparable vehicles and the

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  All In One Package - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Lee - October 1 - 3:46 am

  After a frustrating time with my 02 Odyssey, we decided to get a new SUV. I have tested a fair amount of SUVs in the market and the Santa Fe was my top choice. I bought it and the experience is amazing. 3 months with it and its still pretty flawless. The fuel economy is so-so but what do you expect from a AWD? This CUV is definitely worth looking at. Its the bang for the buck. I love it. My first Hyundai... really impressed.

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  Have 30gs? Buy this car! - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Xg350L - October 1 - 2:06 am

  This is THE best car we ever owned. This Xg350L Have all the Power, the looks of a a 2001 Infinity from the front. The performance it really good for a 194Hp and 216 TQ. you will be suprized when you hit the gas. HOLD ON! The MPG is OK. About 20 City and 28 Highway. not bad. We just took a trip up to Maine and it is a very smooth car. around 85 or so you do not feel a bump. 85 you will run around 2 1/2 thousand RPMs and red line is 6000 rpms. The L Comes with the 210 watt Infinity Sound System it mind blowing. With the bass up all the way and radio blasting, no muddy sounding speakers. I was shocked! The L also comes with the Heated Seats, This is a nice. Again have 30g? Buy this car.

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  Love this car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By R P - September 29 - 6:24 pm

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  Beautiful inside & out! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By seximobile - September 28 - 11:13 pm

  The redesign is a lot more fluid and curvy than last years box. I test drove last years 08 sonata and it only had ok power. The upgrade on the new four-cylinder feels like there is more power off the line and highway passing. If I lived in hilly terrain, I would purchase the v6 but when I climb hills, I use the shiftronic and it goes just fine. Exterior is beautiful and Pearl White is stunning. Could go without steel wheels, but the covers have a Nice design. Interior is very Nice with high quality cloths and plastics. Good stereo.

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  Wonderful vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Enfurno - September 27 - 7:26 pm

  I absolutely love my Sonata. It is fun and exhilarating to drive. Performance is definitely there, comfort is top notch, and the features are second to none for the price that you pay for this wonderful machine. Not too mention it is the best looking sedan on the road today. If you are thinking about the Sonata and comparing it to other sedans then stop and buy right now because no other sedan even compares.

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  Very Happy Owners - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tina - September 26 - 9:03 pm

  The Tiburon was our first Hyundai and the looks and power sold us. Just took it on a trip to W. Virginia from Wyoming and got between 29 - 32 mpgs. No problems with not having enough power, not much kept up with us. Passed the tractor and trailers very easily. Gets lots of looks. Very comfortable for two to ride in.

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  Love these cars - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Angie Tedder - September 26 - 7:00 pm

  Bought my Accent SE on 9/23/06....almost to the day of my last Accent, a 2001 hatchback. These cars are extremely reliable. I have to get used to driving an automatic. But, have found this car pretty peppy and responsive. The SE is loaded with sunroof and CD(6). My previous Accent was very sporty and I just loved it. Talked my husband into getting the Elantra Limited. Now hes a fan! Never had a problem with my 2001. I expect the same from my 2007 Accent. I encourage everyone to check out these vehicles and test drive them before spending thousands more just because of a "name".

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  Sonata 2.0 T - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By artie512 - September 26 - 6:14 am

  I purchased the car in Oct 2012 it was destroyed in the Sandy storm I liked it so much I purchased the exact same model no problems performs as stated

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  Im disappointed!! - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By jean - September 25 - 12:07 pm

  i bought this car brand new.had no problems with it. bought another car and gave it to my daughter 1.5 yrs ago. she had the tires changed and found a huge hole in the subframe rusted from the inside out. the car has 106000 miles and Hyundai will not fix it. i have never heard of a 6 year old car frame rusting through in half. my daugher could have been killed. i trusted my Hyundai. it is definitely a faulty parts problem.