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 TEACHERS REVIEW - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Danney Fairman - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for over a year now and I am continually impressed with the comfort and the styling of the Santa Fe. The ride and space is a major plus. We have taken several trips and neither my back nor anyone else is in discomfort after a long ride. With the warrenty ther is alot of peace of mind. I would definately but another one and HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT

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  Im Impressed - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By shazdaddy - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Im glad I did my homework. I have owned several cars and trucks and this is by far the best for the money. love the midnight gray color. Very responsive and agile. Perfect for small family on a budget.

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  I Love this car! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Puddles027 - July 19 - 10:20 pm

  I puchased my Sonata after hating my Saturn Vue. I made sure I drove every car on the market-Altimas, Galants, Malibus, Impalas etc. I always came back to the Sonata for the interior space and the look of the car. I like how it took turns and it was very comfy.

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  Class of Its Own - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By LBOCEAN - July 18 - 5:16 am

  After a year of searching... Needing something larger for my business, switching from a 4dr Corolla to an SUV, my searches for something with equal or better quality for a price that wasnt going to bust my bank account, the Tucson gives me everything the others do, at close to half the price. A Highlander equally equiped had a sticker shock of 34K (not kidding either), was quickly xd off the my list once I got into the Tucson. The interior has that roooomy but cozy feeling. Its solid and drives great. My neighbor is envy.

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  skeptical customer.. - 2013 Hyundai TUCSON
  By ozone88 - July 17 - 4:02 am

  As the professional reviews stated, the limited version engine may not be as smooth a ride.. or sound as quiet as its competition. Yet, Im in love with my car. U cant best this price.. and they hold their value.. the look is stunning, the options are fabulous. People tell me it looks like Im driving a Lexus.. and I definitely feel like I am! (minus the road noise, I blame it on the 18 inch tires) I have a 2001 Hyundai sonata with almost 200000 miles, I wanted to try something different and the last brand I looked at was a Hyundai, and look what I ended up with! Almost bought a subaru.. so glad I didnt! I Will update in 3 years!

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  Driving really is believing! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By SRI - July 16 - 7:33 pm

  A great car. Hyundai has hit a homerun with this car, no question. Forget the over priced, frequent visits to the dealer for squeaks, rattles, wind noise and misc. other problems we had with our Volvo S80. This car is much quieter and rides equally as good as the S80 for $10+K less. With the introduction of this car, I am certain there will be more Hyundais on the road. The car inspires confidence in the overall appearance, both exterior and interior and the warranty backs that confidence up.

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  My New 2006 Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mary Garner - July 16 - 9:53 am

  Just bought a new 2006 Tucscon, Alpine Frost. Love it! Other drivers stare at my cute new car. Drove my baby grandson, daughter & son-in-law up to visit my elder daughter & family in the Tri-Cities area two days after I bought it. The Tucson drove great! I am very impressed with its stability around curves and the way it holds the road. Very comfortable drive. I havent had a brand-new vehicle since I bought a new 4-dr Datsun in 1965.. This little Hyundai is so sturdy and so well made, I know Im going to love it the more I drive it. Im retiring this December and look forward to traveling between grand-kids... even in the winter! I just dont think you can go wrong with this car.

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  07 accent... twice the car - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By doug - July 15 - 5:41 am

  I have a 98 gsi and the new 07 3 door accent, what a difference they have done a lot to make this car a well behaved machine

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  New Car - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By DanRita - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The cvar is very quiet and comfortable. I put a sub woofer in the trunk and now i love everything about the car.

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  Great Car - Style/Safety/Price Superb - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By JM2 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I own 2 Elantras. They are great vehicles re: price, style, quality, performance and, in my opinion, safety. I recently skidded on ice and hit a tree broadside on drivers side w/my 2002 Elantra). The drivers *side* airbag (not available on many more expensive cars) deployed and likely saved my life. I got top dollar on the "totaled car" -- so they hold their value) and I promptly bought a 2004 to join my 2003. Got super customer service, as well!