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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  I have 2 2006 Azera Limiteds - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By J - March 5 - 3:17 pm

  I bought my first 2006 Azera Limited brand new in November, 2006. My parents bought a used 2006 Azera Limited in Spring, 2007. I bought another used 2006 Azera Limited with 14,000 miles in February, 2007. I have owned 3 Cadillac DeVilles and 2 Cadillac Sevilles since 1995. Although the Azera does not have the Cadillac ride, I still like it better than the Cadillacs. The gas mileage in town has been around 17 but on the road I get mid 20s. Obviously, I am sold on the Azera Limited. I hope the resale values are better in a few years. I look forward to the introduction of the Genesis this summer.

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  Awesome!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Gina - March 4 - 8:06 pm

  Had the car a month and it is terrific! It handles great in the rain and it is so much fun to drive. Cant wait to take it on vacation.

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  Excellent value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Stekicar - March 4 - 9:03 am

  After one year and 21000 miles on it here are my thoughts: I bought it for $16,261.61 out the door. Do not think I could get any lower. Drives excellent. My wife loves the car. Roomy interior and beautiful exterior. So far, not a single problem with the car. Average fuel consumption is 27 mpg, (min 22 - city, max 35 - freeway @ 65 MPH). @ 75MPH it goes 29 mpg. It has huge glove department. Headlights are good. Nice CD/MP3 player with big display.

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  Excellent Car! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Marc Gibbons - March 3 - 9:16 pm

  I went out looking for a car and I had no idea what I would end up getting. I ended up driving a Elantra and the Sonata. The Elantra felt cheaper to me and with all the extras I went for the Sonata. I loved the way it drived and it was quiet and a nice ride. Excellent brakes and a nice interior. I got this car for a great price and it was well below the market price. I actually ended up getting this much lower than the invoice price. I love the car!!

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  The Best SUV Ever!!!! - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JAMIE - March 3 - 3:46 pm

  I was surprised with its built quality. Then, its smooth and performing ride convinced me to make the purchase. Its stylish look was a plus. I am very happy about this vehicle.

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  3-Month report - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Golfer Mike - March 3 - 3:05 pm

  I now have 8,000 miles on my Azera and have loved every minute of driving. Currently showing 26.5 average MPG. People who ride in it can not believe how quiet the engine is and the back seat leg room.

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  Great Car - Better than an Acura - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jmmcconnell1962 - March 3 - 1:42 pm

  I have had no problems with this $15,000 car in my 3+ years of ownership which is more than I can say for my $40,000 Acura MDX. Other than the Passenger Airbag Sensor recall, this car has not been in for repairs other than the regular scheduled. The MDX has had several recalls for major items - power steering pump, transmission. Also had a cracked fuel tank pipe. Its really too bad that Hyundai is still getting penalized for being Korean and Acura/Honda gets high praise for being Japanese. Ill buy another Hyundai before a Honda/Acura product.

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  the best SUV choice on the market! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Canadianlove - March 3 - 1:26 am

  I tested Honda CRV and Toyota RAV 4 before I tested the 2007 Santa Fe. What a sharp contrast: the Santa Fe had better interior and exterior design and better build quality. I have already put 65,000 kms on this SUV, not a single problem has been noticed. Last year, Vancouver BC had the worst snow in 4 decades, my Santa Fe was fabulous in snow, and brought me to almost every where without difficulty. Besides the quality and design, keep in mind, this model has won top safety award in the US. Many people actually dont know that this model was designed by the global top engineers. The chief designer who designed Santa Fe now is the chief designer for Mercedes Benz in North America!

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  Veracruz Fun to Drive - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Wayne Edwards - March 2 - 6:56 pm

  I have been a Hyundai fan for years. I am now on my fourth. The Veracruz drives better than my dads cadillac escalade, also gets better gas mileage. If you have not driven a Hyundai beware you will fall in love with particular vehicle. Loaded and comfortable and has a quiet drive.

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  Buy one - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Mausguy - March 2 - 6:50 pm

  I love my Cruz. Quality from front to back. They added little items like reading light, rear armrest with storage and more, make this car a joy. I smile as I get in to drive it. With the rebate of $4K you cannot go wrong. Watch out Toyota and Honda, theres a gunslinger in town