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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  Unique package - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By dmoss - February 10 - 12:43 am

  Excellent value at this price point. GLS with 15 inch tires has smoother ride than SE or 2009 model. Has also performed well in mid-atlantic snow storms to date. With the 5-speed, engine has good juice in 4th and 5th gears - especially when RPMs get up to 3,500 to 4,000. At lower speeds, especially in stop and go traffic, clutch is a little touchy. Brakes are very good, smooth but ready for a sharp stop if needed. Handling takes a while to get used to, mostly due to steering feel (electric power steering), but its actually very sensitive and responsive (maybe a little too much so). Fuel economy ranges between 27 to 32 depending on city/highway mix.

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  2009 Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By W. J. - February 9 - 7:50 pm

  If the badging were removed, it would be difficult to tell who built it. Hyundai has come a long way since the early Sonatas and have caught if not surpassed the great cars Honda and Toyota had been dominant in for so many years. We are extremely impressed with this build quality Hyundai has put into the Sonata for thousands less than the benchmarks.

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  Fun and easy going... - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Coconasty - February 9 - 6:00 pm

  I luv my Tib, and after getting the true low down on the warranty, I put in a cold air intake by AEM to up my economy and its much more to my liking. Realize friends that upgrading your vehicle does not neccisarily kill your warranty. If it interferes with the basic structure of the vehicle and CAUSES the problems, then your added part will be in question and you will not be covered. Upgrading your air intake will only help your vehicle, not hurt it, soooo GET R DONE!!! Upgrading parts is not a problem. When you get into chipping, turbo, and things of that nature is when you run into problems. Its not really neccisary. The car is quick. You can cheaply upgrade for more performance.

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  Great bang for the buck! - 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Jefro - February 9 - 12:27 am

  I bought this car to have fun driving and it doesnt disappoint! Its not going to be practical when it comes down to transporting more than 2 people, carrying excessive amounts of stuff in it or even fuel economy, but it is a hell of a lot of fun to drive! Great engine, excellent 8 speed auto are a blast! One word of warning: you will want to put AS or snow tires on it up north as it comes with summer tires. I am thrilled with this car!

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  i love this car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By giegeo - February 8 - 1:20 pm

  this car back end has more style than magmun or avalon. with all the options on the limited, and the warranty why pay more for a nissan or honda?

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  Luv it! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By lzcowboy - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I drove Mercedes for 15 years, most recently a 420SEL. After 150,000 miles decided to get a new car. Decided not to spend $80,000+ again. Bought the XG350 last January and am totally satisfied. Has everything the Lexus has except GPS at half the price. I literally have never even had the car back to the dealer for service; just change the oil and drive away.

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By laughaloud - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I like the fact that we got a good four door car for less than other cars with a great warranty. We looked at Kias and Hyundai had better standard features. Hyundai matched and beat Kia by $700, how can you turn that down? Power locks and windows and A/C standard, cant beat that!

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  best car in its class - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jennifert94 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  this is our second Hyundai, my husband has a 2000 Elantra as well. you cant beat the warranty...you cant beat the preice...all in all, Hyundai is the car to buy if you are just looking for a family sedan or a car to commute in.

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  Great car, great price and relaible. - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By fjnlcpc - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in 2001 as new.Had previously ownes a Elantra wagon and a Santa Fe. Both also excellent and with standard 4. Friends thought Hyundai was cheap etc. you know the old stories. Well i am known to be smart when spending and Hyundai gives dollar for dollar the best deal in quality, reliability and well they won me over big time.

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  A classy car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By rennattaangel - February 8 - 2:00 am

  the Sonata ia a wonderful car. Roomy but elegant. Easy handeling but classy. A Lady feels like a Lady driving this car!