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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  Better Than Lexus or Audi - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Thanks Hyundai - May 1 - 4:33 am

  Ive had Lexus ES330, Audi A4, and Avalon. Azera is definately better than them for a lot cheaper price. I highly recommend this car for anyone who wants to drive a luxury car but a little short in budget. If you test- drive this car, you will know what I really mean. I have no doubt that Hyundai will surpass Toyota or Honda in the near future because Hyundai are making better quality cars at a lower price. Thanks Hyundai!!!!

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  Very pleased - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Bob Youker - April 29 - 9:43 pm

  Love power this van has for its size. Love the way it handles. I got this van used with 9000 miles on it and it now has 11,700 miles and I have had no problems so far. Great van with a great price.

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  Sweet car for price - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ryan - April 29 - 2:05 pm

  I dont have one negative thing to say about this car. I havent had one issue whatsoever! Very pleased with this car, and will be sticking to the brand in the future.

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  Hyundai can come a long way! - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By JG - April 29 - 11:50 am

  Reliable truck so far, Made trip to Orlando from Dallas without any problems. Acceleration and gas mileage are only negatives so far. Reliability, ride, comfort and functionality are all pluses.

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  Inexpensive, But Full of Value - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Saravn - April 29 - 6:10 am

  I went to the Hyundai dealership to look at the SantaFe, I felt it was too big (after having a Ford ZX2). They encouraged me to try the Tucson. What a perfect fit! I thought I wanted a Ford Escape, but couldnt afford it. After a few weeks & 2 snowstorms, Im thrilled. It has handled great, through wind, snow & ice. The ABS brakes work great, & the ESP eliminates the need for 4WD if you dont offroad. The interior is very practical as well. I keep finding little things that are very useful. I even have a place for my purse that is not the passenger seat. In all, I think Im only going to find more things that I like about this SUV & not feel that I bought it because it was all I could afford.

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  A pure joy to drive - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By MAC - April 28 - 1:16 pm

  This is one of the best cars Ive ever driven. It is fun to drive very peppy only complaint I have is it seems a little light in the front end sometimes. I can deal with that though for the thousands of dollars I saved over my other choices in this class.

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  Style with a kick - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By mike - April 28 - 3:00 am

  Comfort with some major kick!! This car puts some of my mustangs to shame. Transmission is silky smooth and the over-all performance of this car is just awesome. Highway gas mileage is 30+and around town at a respectible 25. Buy this car,you wont be disappointed.

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  Good vehilcle a couple problems - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By satisfied - April 28 - 2:30 am

  We bought our 2008 Sante fe after looking at Ford, Chev, Toyota and Chrysler and decided that the Sante Fe was an all better deal, price wise, handling and style. We had a problem with the airbag sensor which was irratic, coming on and going off was not predicatable. This was finally fixed. Also the accelerator sensor acted up. The vehicle would pulsate from 600 RPM to 1500 RPM. The sensor was replced and now works well. Love the interior design especially the dashboard lighting. Exterior design is also good.

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  Happy with my Hyundai and selling dealer - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By William Greanbowlt - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I wasnt sure if I should by a Honda or Hyundai I know that Honda has a very good track record and product . But everything I read about Hyundai kept saying buy the Hyundai so I did I am very happy with the car it has more power a better ride and more standard than the Honda And to top it all of it has the best warranty, warranty was important but the Hyundai seems like a better built car.I was very happy with the dealership I had a salesman named Jerry he did not preasure me explained everything on the car and backed up facts with reports .

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  sonata 99 - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By edavid42 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  the only thing I can say in a negative light is that the transmission in the 0-5 mi per hour range feels loose.