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:

• 

  So Far, So GOOD - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By toothfairy324 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  When I was first shopping for a new vehicle, I was looking at the Celica GT- S, test drove it and everything. However, I was really not looking forward to the hefty monthly payment. The same day that I test drove the Celica, my boyfriend took me to the Hyundai dealership where he got his car. I had forgotten all about them! Needless to say, when I saw the GTV6 in the showroom, I was blown away! It is a beautiful car with lines just how I like them. I knew this was the car that I wanted to get, but I was always making fun of Jon for his Accent... I got the Moonlit Blue in the 6 speed form, fully loaded! I had to have the sunroof!

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By doubledown1180 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Sonata after long and hard work both at dealerships and on the internet. This car fits my needs to a T. Great ride, smooth and quiet, good power. I just bought a few weeks ago and am looking forward to driving it in the winter months to see how it holds up. Love the looks of it. The gas milage could be a little better. Getting about the same amount of miles per tank as my old Honda Civic, but with a tank that is about 8 gallons bigger.

• 

  Fine car for the money - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom Farina - April 15 - 11:26 pm

  This is a fine car for the money.Design in and out. Long list of safety features and warranty. Great gas mileage. Good build quality. Good pick up too. Auto shifter is smooth. Suprisingly roomy interior. Some road noise is pronounced on rough road surfaces. AM side of radio goes crazy under high power lines. Dealer said cant do anything!

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike - April 15 - 7:08 pm

  I use this car for business and have found it to be reliable and comfortable. I drive approx. 30K a year and have had no mechanical problems. I had a problem with the std. radio/CD player but that was taken care of under warranty. The drivers side inside door handle chrome peeled and also was replaced under warranty. I would not hesitate to buy another Hyundai.

• 

  Comment - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By agliettipc - April 14 - 12:26 pm

  The car is exelent. It runs very well, confortable, economic, cheap parts

• 

  GLS- 6 cyl - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By gls - April 14 - 12:23 pm

  I have owned this car for only 10 days so far. It has great power and decent mpg for a V6, around 25mpg all around driving. Have received lots great compliments on how nice the car is. Deepwater Blue-very sharp when cleaned up. UK licence plate on the front is all it lacks. GO CATS!

• 

  Not it is not a ferrari :) - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By mjm - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car took me 6 months of research to decide on the Tiburon. I looked at every model comparable model that Mitsu, Toyo, Honda, Acura make. For the price know one can touch it. To the people who want to know about the horse power it is 170 at the engine crank. They may advertise 181 but the papers you sign at purchase point states it at170. Good stereo clear treble strong deep bass (not thumping). Gas mileage is pretty good best I have seen is 29mpg and this was doing 65mph on the highway with ac on. Handling is outstanding at high speeds as well as city driving. As I feel the build and quality of my car (so far) is on par with anything Honda builds.

• 

  Not it is not a ferrari :) - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By MJM - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Great car took me 6 months of research to decide on the Tiburon. I looked at every model comparable model that Mitsu, Toyo, Honda, Acura make. For the price know one can touch it. To the people who want to know about the horse power it is 170 at the engine crank. They may advertise 181 but the papers you sign at purchase point states it at170. Good stereo clear treble strong deep bass (not thumping). Gas mileage is pretty good best I have seen is 29mpg and this was doing 65mph on the highway with ac on. Handling is outstanding at high speeds as well as city driving. As I feel the build and quality of my car (so far) is on par with anything Honda builds.

• 

  Great - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom - April 14 - 6:58 am

  It is a great fun to drive with Elantra. Fuel economy and reliability can not be criticized in comparison with those of Civic and Corolla. Interior design is well-organized. One drawback is not equipped with ABS. but 2007 will be standard. I hope I soon get that too.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bill - April 14 - 6:14 am

  Its a great car, loaded with room, style, solid, and just fun to drive. Handles better, runs smoother, and lots more ease of driving than our Mazda 626.