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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  Great Ride! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By jason_brzuchalski - April 13 - 10:23 pm

  Hands down, an awesome vehicle at a great price. The genesis coupe V6 Track has plenty of power and stylish looks. Heads are always turning when I pull up to a stop light. So far, I have not been disappointed with the vehicle. It performs as well as it sounds when I punch the accelerator. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

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  Wonderful vehicle! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Amy - April 13 - 2:29 pm

  My husband and I both have a 2005 Elantra. They are both great cars for the money! The features are superb and the ride is fantastic. Our cars are roomier than a VW Jetta and ride better too! Great pick up for a 4 cylinder I can keep up with the best of them! The body style is classy and the vehicle has a solid feel that cant be beat. One of the best values on the market with the warranty! LOVE it!

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  I love my car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By rdi0824 - April 13 - 6:23 am

  I recently purchased the GLS model. I am currently getting approx. 32 mpg (I calculated 31.9) with combo of city/hwy miles. I love that I dont have to gas up all of the time! Its a very smooth ride and I love that its a smaller car but I am not confined whatsoever while driving it. Its very roomy for its size! I look forward to having this car for a long time! Grab one while theyre having the cash back incentive promotion!

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  This Car is Fantastic !!! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Justin Smith - April 12 - 9:18 pm

  I have been driving this car for 8 months or so and it has lived up to all my expectations. I skipped the sunroof and abs but couldnt be happier. I only have roughly 6000 miles on it (because I work and live at a college) but I take it on road trips home (3 hours one way) and it easily cruises at 80mph on the highway with no problems. The ride is generally excellent! I would call this car a crossbreed between a Volvo, a BMW 3 Series, and a Honda Civic. My friends are jealous that their cars arenÂ’t as nice and cheap and thatÂ’s the way I like it!

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  I love it! - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Ashish Arya - April 12 - 10:16 am

  I bought this car used from a Hyundai dealer 5 months ago and have been in love with it since then. It looks like a big sedan on the outside...and with so few of it on the road, people do wonder "Looks like a nice car...what model is it" People who sit into the car are really impressed by it generous interiors. The only problem has been that the CD player did not work since day 1. It accepts a double din system which are expensive and I have been lazy to get it replaced.

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  Nice Car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steve - April 12 - 8:17 am

  I traded my 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police Car in on a an Elantra because of the gas milage. I was impressed by my moms new Tucson and thought I would give Hyundai a try. Ive put a little over 5200 miles on it since Ive bought and have a few little weird problems but nothing big. I had a headlight burn out already, when ahead and put a nice seat of head lights in it. I did belts and front rotors and thats it. There is werid noise in the front end like something is grinding that I only hear at about 75 mph on a windy day. Other then that it has been a pretty good. Im getting ready to take it on a 1000 mile trip this weekend. I do mixed driving and Ive been running right around 27.

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  Veracruz; dont knock it till you try it - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Veracruz fan - April 12 - 7:06 am

  The Veracruz is a luxury powerhouse of a vehicle. I am still in awe of this spectacular ride. With the windows closed you hear very little outside noise. The body stlye is sleek and beautiful. I can not think of anything I dont like or love about this car. Way to go Hyundai this is the best yet.

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  entourage - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By cara rutzel - April 11 - 3:16 pm

  The car is extremely comfortable to ride in and to drive. it handles well on the road, a bit harder in wind thna other mini vans.

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  I Love my Tucson - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Becky - April 11 - 9:26 am

  I bought this after my Murano was totaled. I loved my Murano, but it couldnt touch the Tucson price or gas mileage. Bluetooth is great, very clear. Exterior and interior design is beautiful. Acceleration is incredible. For its class the ride is decent.

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  Absolute best bang for your buck! - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By leesekay - April 11 - 5:12 am

  I literally test drove every mid-size SUV imaginable in my quest to buy my next vehicle. Coming from a Honda CR-V, I needed more interior space to cart around my large friends (All are well above 6ft tall) and my two large dogs, along with their crates. The Santa Fe was an option I was unwilling to consider, until I drove one. The ride is beautiful, and comfort mode steering helps tremendously. My small frame is a bit overwhelmed by the large seats, but the power seats and lumbar support make it more than comfortable. The options I have: heated steering wheel, front and rear seats, back up cam, navigation, Bluelink and leather seats for less money than a mid range Honda. #hyundaifamily