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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  Love My Tib! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Joan - January 5 - 1:53 pm

  Bought my Tib new in early 04 to get a good deal on the 03s they were trying to unload. Researched the car for a couple of years before buying. Tib has been excellent! Definitely a head-turner. People always think its a fancier car & cant believe it when I tell them its a Hyundai. Forever have Porches, BMWs, etc. revving next to me - ha! My Tib is a blast to drive. Minor problems (passenger window stuck) covered under warranty & the dealer was great.

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  Great value and superior vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Mike H from SI NY - January 5 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my wifes 2005 Toyota Sienna which had been brought back to the local dealer 5 times for a sulfar odor.After the last time I got it back with the same issue I decided enough was enough and traded it in for the Entourage.What a great minivan it gets 19 mpg compared to the Toyotas 13 I was getting along with heated leather seats 17" aloy rime 4 wheel disc brakes traction control vsc fully power operated doors and trunk tri zone heat electroluminesent dash fog lights auto headlights and not to mention front side and curtain airbags.If you add all these features up on a similar Toyota or Honda be prepared to spend $40,000,What a great car I highly recomend to serious buyers.I am happy

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  this is nice - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By james - January 4 - 8:32 pm

  i have driven this car for a month. everything is fine. i made this speed up 120 mile on high way. it was not bad about comfortable driving. design is fine and engine power is good.

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  Very pleased so far! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Arbiter - January 4 - 8:33 am

  Very pleased so far. Family and I just finished 1800 mile road trip and averaged 31.1 mpg on the way there (A/C on low and cruise set at 73). Averaged 28.0 mpg on way back (A/C on low and averaging 82mph...I wanted to get home!) Traded in 2002 Infiniti I35 so I was accustomed to all the amenities; glad to see that Hyundai didnt disappoint. Got full KBB excellent private party value for trade, $2500 rebate (standard and military), $1000 off after haggling and a free spoiler thrown in. Gas mileage in town is lower than Id like but thats to be expected with constant stop and go.

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  Never thought that I would own a Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Mike Bud - January 3 - 7:43 am

  Drove the Pilot, Highlander, RAV, Arcadia, Outlook, and Santa Fe. I am a Toyotal fan, but the Highlander was a bit wide like a minivan and the RAV was a bit small. Test drove the Santa Fe a second time - nice but small for my needs. Finally, test drove the Veracruz. It was excellent - smooth transmission, quiet ride, instant feeling of luxury. This SUV is big, but comfortable. My kids love the third row. Drives smoother than my Sienna (which is excellent). I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of this vehicle.

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  Finally bought a Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By fearthevoices - January 2 - 10:56 pm

  A family member has had 6 Hyundais, never having a serious issue with any of them, even in some of their early models. With a track history like that, I knew someday wed buy one too. Im over 6 and am very comfortable in this car, and find the seats very supportive too. Handling is great, ride may be a bit firm for some though. Car is very quiet on the highway, a big change from our last Saturn. Fit an finish are great, even impressed my neighbor who owns 2 Mercedes. Ill be looking at Hyundai when its time to replace my ride; this one is for my wife.

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  Wow - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By eball - January 2 - 8:10 pm

  Who ever would have thought I would ever own a Hyundai! Even my neighbor thought I was a crazy, until he took me to pick up my new 2011 SE Sonata! This car is amazing! Do yourself a favor and do pass up a test drive if you are buying a car in this class. i saw the sonata first. Then went to Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Ford and test drove comparable cars TRYING NOT TO LET MYSELF BUY A HYUNDAI! ha ha ha, couldnt do it! I found myself comparing everything the other cars didnt have! LOVE my car. averaging 32 MPG!

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  Excellent Minivan - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Chitose Funaba - January 2 - 5:06 am

  It is well built minivan performs good as a Japanese built Honda Odyssey. Actually it is roomier and bigger with great options at a competitive price. Smooth and quiet ride also add its value.

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  The Elantra: Much Better Than Expected! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By psyduck - January 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is reliable, fun to drive and looks great for the price. It replaced a 2000 Hyundai Elantra GLS in my household. I must say that I liked the 2000 model, but really love this one! It has many improved features and more options! The body styling is the area of greatest improvment...many people think it is either a Saab or another expensive high-end import! I got a great deal ($13,600) for a fully loaded GT with automatic. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

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  Happy Sonata Owmer - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By James Bouvier - December 31 - 12:26 pm

  This car has been great. The ride is very good, the comfort is very good and it handles great. I like to looks and the overall design. The price was very good and you cant beat the warrantee or the company commitment to make you happy with the purchase.