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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  PAINT CHIPS VERY FAST - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By b f - August 10 - 5:39 am

  This is my very first car. I love it except the paint is already chiping and I have it only 5 weeks. was told to buy touch up paint and get a sealant. As per gas it is great.

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  my tiburon - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tiburon gt - August 9 - 11:46 pm

  this car is the most fun ive ever had with a new car .drives great, greatperformance.

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  Very Happy - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By elantragtlover - August 9 - 11:09 pm

  I bought my Hyundai Elantra GT 11 days ago. I went from driving a huge 8 cylinder SUV to this small hatchback. I dont even miss my truck! I am thrilled every time I fill it up. I is half the price to fill and the gas lasts twice as long. The Elantra GT is exactly what I was looking for. It is fun to drive with plenty of room for all of my things. The sixty/forty split back seat allows for larger things to pass through than in the Elantra sedan. I am having a blast driving this cute little "zippy" car. I highly recommend it to anyone.

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  Tiburon is FUN! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By John Kluge - August 9 - 5:13 pm

  The car handles well. It compares to a 1988 300Z that I bought new. The GS that I bought has only the 2.0 4cyl, but is spunky enough to be a blast. I decided to cut costs by getting the small engine at lower initial cost and better fuel mileage. I do not regret that decision

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  2007 Hyundai Tucson - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jaypol - August 9 - 5:13 pm

  Bought this vehicle for my daughter to use at college. Have been very happy so far. Ride is very smooth, handling is agile, and very roomy interior. She fit the entire contents of her dorm room into the Tucson and still had a comfortable ride home.

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  I love my Elantra!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By cjalb72 - August 9 - 10:25 am

  I have owned the car for just over a month!! I was a Toyota and Honda snob!!! I do say WAS a Snob!!! After driving this car I was amazed @ the fit and finish, the 10 year Warr., @ the price!!!

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  Thought I bought a Benz - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Marie G - August 7 - 9:46 pm

  The 350XGL has the best features of the Lincoln and Mercedes at a great price.The ride is good and all features are accessible.

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  great suv for the price - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By joe casano - August 7 - 10:00 am

  the santa fe is a well built suv for the money. all the extras in the car u would pay a lot more for on other suvs and the quality of the car is very good. I would recommend this auto to all my friends.

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  3.5L.........A must have!!! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bdyardboy - August 7 - 10:00 am

  All I have to say is "wow"! Every Santa Fe should have the 3.5L. I bought this for my wife and now I get the 02 Elantra GT. Not to make the GT jealous, but I think I like the Santa Fe more (shhhh). Even if you already have the GREAT Santa Fe with the smaller engines, you need to just go test drive the 3.5L. It will bring a smile to your face.

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  Great mid size veh. - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By tony - August 6 - 2:43 am

  This veh is wonderful! Drives great has better than average gas milage and plenty of pep. Handels like a sporty model and it looks great. Any one would be happy with this veh.