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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  This is a Great Vehicle - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai User - February 22 - 2:00 pm

  It performed well on every occasion. Very good option for the money spent. Great safety features. Comfortable ride. It is a good family sedan.

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  Im in love - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Michele - February 22 - 12:30 pm

  I was initally in the market for an Eclipse, but then I saw the Tiburon and thought that it looked like something I might like to be seen in. I must say, that I love this car. It reminds me so much of my Mazda that I foolishly got rid of, the gear shitfs, handling and "zip" are amazing, and with the way gas is now, after going back and forth to work, two weeks later - I still have yet to get gas...that is now one of the best reasons to buy this car.

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  Love It! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tigerchk09 - February 21 - 7:33 pm

  I purchased my Tiburon new in 07 and a few months after I bought it it died on the railroad tracks and they had to come get it and take it to the dealership to fix it. After a week of having it back supposedly fixed it died again but after the second time they fixed I havent had another other problems from it. Its a great car and I get tons of compliments I even walked outside one day to find a woman taking pictures of it because there arent many in my area and mine is the only Limited for miles.

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  What a deal ! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris - February 20 - 9:43 pm

  For the money I dont think you can get a better deal with such good quality. I was so impressed with what you get that I am sure this is the best bang for the buck. The engine is the smoothest 4 cyl I have ever driven... bar none, something I never expected. Solid feel seems like a much bigger car. Be careful though, when on the highway you can easily get to 90 without noticing, thats how good the ride is and how zippy the motor is. Overall one of the best purchases I have ever made.

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  Very nice car for the money - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By ky - February 20 - 8:16 pm

  I bough this car with 5100 less than invoice with the manufacturer rebate included. I like the color. It has some many luxury features. The only thing that I do not like is the gas mileage. It is supposed to make 22 mpg in the city, but does only 18.5 mpg. I have not tested in the highway. I especially like the fuel usage computer in the car. I am sure the heated front seats will come handy during cold winter months. The build quality is very good. It feels like an expensive car.

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  Good Choice - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hua - February 20 - 4:28 pm

  After 10000 miles, the ride has been smooth, and the features have been pleasant. The dealership I go to is very friendly, but they deal in a variety of manufacturers, and have many returning customers. I havent had any significant problems, yet. The drivers window squeals, and the glove compartment rattles, but the interior is wonderful otherwise. The manual transmission does not hold reverse very well, and will grind out from time to time. Downshifting into first at very low speeds can be hard sometimes as well.

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  Money Well Spent - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By mausman - February 20 - 2:03 pm

  I just took delivery and am pleased thus far. The interior upgrades (esp. The dash) are vastly improved. Getting about 29 mpg so far. I personally wouldnt spend the monies on the v6 as the upgraded motor has plenty and the throttle response is right there when giving it gas. Also why we bought is the increased seat width and more spacious cabin. We were looking at a 06-07 Nissan altima, but found the 4 cylinder to be noisy when shifting through gears. Plus the altima is priced 5-6k more. The fit and finish is tight and the ride is very quiet and smooth! Only thing missing is the tight steering response. Ill write more when I can get it away from my wife and finally drive it!

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  Azera Problems - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By LTG3122 - February 20 - 1:45 pm

  Gas mileage less than 12 mpg city told car should have at least 10K miles before you get good mileage. Had car in 3 times told everything normal, "thats what you should expect". Combined city/highway only 17 with >50% expressway. Minor items: accelerator very sensitive on starting doesnt shift to highest gear til 40 mpg (told normal) keys bump against steering column no coin holder for tolls, parking meters light beige interior shows dirt readily.

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  A solid bargain and eye-catching at that - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By barney345 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  When you tell people it is a Hyundai, they still raise their eyebrows... "really? a Korean car. Well, I drive lots of miles and I love the car. The 5sp manual gives it a sporty feel, and the quality is very sound. The only reason I wouldnt recommend it is because once a person breaks the mental barriers to driving what seems to be an econo vehicle, and you drive it, you wont want to pay for the toyota, nissan or subaru name; my vehicle wont seem such a special car on the road. I think it is a winner over entry level cars in these other brands as well as volvo or even mercedes c-class (really, who wants a rwd car- unless you want to pay for the emblem).

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  Its so easy - 1996 Hyundai Accent
  By Dame Carter - February 19 - 10:32 pm

  Truth is the car uses a mitsubishi engine if people didnt know and its so easy to to customize, its not a car people normally assume is fast so when persons realize whoa thats a hyundai, its like yea fast isnt it. Its cheaper than alot of other cars to maintain and cheap to boost if your interested in speed.