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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  An Eye Catcher - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By the producer - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Hands down, the fastest car on the road. Get the V6 version. Only I dont like is that it eats gas like no other and doesnt ride as smooth as I thought. But all the attention that I get is worth it. everyone wants to know... " What is that?" It turns so many heads. It will smoothly glide to 60 in a heartbeat and move you wisting past cars before you know it. Get it if you are trying to look good while staying under $20,000.

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  Still Great After 7 Years - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By EdB - April 30 - 9:40 pm

  After 7 years with the car that was bought new, there is only ONE area of dissatisfaction. The interior overhead lamps (right and left), over the dash are extremely dim. Many trips to the dealer yielded no fix. They said that there is nothing that can be done. It has been this way since new. Next year, an Equus might be in my future.

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  Feeling safer - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brad Sorensen - April 30 - 2:57 pm

  Everything is great so far. The only knock would be the low ground clearance on the front end.

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  This car rocks! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By the family guy - April 30 - 6:33 am

  Once I test-drove this car, I knew that I had to buy one. This car is far superior to its main competitors such as the Camry, the Accord, and the Altima. I have driven all these models before, but there is really no comparison. This car handles like a BMW, looks better than a Lexus, and it has plenty of power. Even the base audio is great. I love all the whistles and bells that come standard on this vehicle. All this at a decent price.

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  Safe & Fun - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Lisa - April 29 - 5:57 pm

  Love this little car! The reason I bought this car was for its safety, fuel economy and sporty look. It is great to drive, very responsive. The interior is very spacious, so is the trunk. Feel confident about traveling with my 16 month old. I researched other cars in this class and the Accent rules. I cannot believe there arent more on the road. This car does not disappoint. Go buy one.

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  I love this car!! - 1994 Hyundai Elantra
  By New Mom - April 26 - 8:40 pm

  I and my husbend bought this car before our baby was born. I love the space and the back seats lay down wich comes in hady when your use to haveing a truck. It handles gr8. I would sugest this car to every one. buy the way when I bought the car it had 161,000 miles on it.

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  Great little car! - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Lee & Bill - April 26 - 8:07 pm

  Weve had the car about 30 days! Very pleased with the performance and it is very quiet! Alot of fun to drive and the gas mileage is great!

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  XG350L - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By nurdlinger - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I prefer this car to any sedan on the road under $50,000! I have driven many. The car has excellent acceleration, handles very well, and is comfortable, although not as soft a ride or seats as some other competitors. There is just about every bell and whistle that one can think of, including seat warmers (not really necessary here in

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  hyundia - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By lane - April 25 - 10:00 am

  well i felt it was a nice vehicle

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  2 months in - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By RV4 - April 24 - 8:06 pm

  Had the new sonata for 2 months now. Bought it with 50 miles on it and im just about to roll into 3k. Even with the stick version that I have, the car lacks any Punch when you hit the gas, but it more than makes up for it by its good handling around corners and smooth ride. Its Nice inside, the seats are supportive and comfortable (so unusual for some reason), and the base model features are just exellent. My only complaints so far is the lack of Punch (but who needs it in morning traffic) and even when riding the speed limit and 99% highway driving, I can never hit 30 mpg. I average about 27-28 real world highway. Its not bad, but its not the 32 advertised.