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 Car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By JM - December 30 - 5:00 pm

  A better car in all respects to my 06 Lincoln LS. I chose this car over Acura, MB, and Buicks I test drove. The car is a deal even at $33k-$37K for the V6 model. Black and Silver look great in this car. No cassette player- this is 2008. I have a 2000 Elantra with over 200K miles and it has been problem free.

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  2005 elantra Gt - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By abram123 - December 28 - 10:56 pm

  I absolutely like my Hyundai Elantra hatchback I brought 3 month ago. The only problems I had is the brakes making noise in wet weather. It rides like a dream and the gas mileage is great Im getting 36 mile per gal. Im been a Honda person for years. The Elantra holes the road like a dream and handle get in the snow cover roads.

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  Sonata is Great - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tod - December 28 - 10:13 am

  This car rides smooth, great 6 cilinder engine. It is a joy to ride. The styling is like a Audi with clean lines.

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  Excellent Vehicle! - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Don - December 28 - 6:45 am

  Very cute and modern design. Great gas mileage! Performs like a small sports car while providing great safety features. Worth every penny.

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  First Time Hyundai owner - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By J B - December 28 - 2:56 am

  Satisfied with my purchase; good quality for the price; stylish interior and exterior; comfortable drive; for this size vehicle, I expected to get better gas mileage

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  I Love It! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By llopes - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I spent alot of time looking for a Sedan (was driving and SUV) and this is the one I wanted. Couldnt beat the price or the warranty. Every time I get behind the wheel I feel like Im driving an expensive sports car.

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  HYUNDAI GLS V6 - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By BR G.R. MI. - December 26 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR FOR THE PRICE HYUNDAI HAS DONE A GOOD JOB ACROSS THE BOARD. HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A MOUNTH BUT VERY PLEASED SO FAR. FIRST HYUNDAI WE HAVE OWNED. GET LOTS OF POSITIVE COMMENTS. HYUNDAI SHOULD NOT FITTLE WITH THEIR CURRENT ADVANCES IN LOOKS QUALITY AND PRICES. KEEP THE CUSTOMER AS THE FOCUS AND WE WILL LOOK AT THEIR OTHER VEHICLES FOR OUR NEXT PURCHASE. KEEP THE PURCHASE EXPERIANCE AT THE DEALER SIMPLE. WANTED TO CHARGE ME $425 FOR DEALER PREP. AFTER THEY UNDERSTOOD WE DONT PAY FOR THESE NEEDLES EXTRA CHARGES THE NEGOTIATION GOT MUCH SIMPLER AND AGREABLE FOR BOTH PARTIES.

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  Amazingly fun to drive - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By lynchpad - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for the summer of 2003 and I absolutely love it! WOuld not want to trade it for anything else (within reason). Killer looks, great performance, throaty sound, lots of giddy up, love the way it handles! All in all, the quality speaks for itself; great wheels!

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  8 Month Review - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Eric - December 26 - 8:53 am

  I have 16000 trouble-free miles on this car. This is my second review. My wifes 2008 limited with 20000 miles has also been a great car.

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  Great Value - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By hyundaifan - December 26 - 1:31 am

  Bought in Mar of O5 and now have 11k miles on it. Car has been flawless. Traction control great on icy roads. Starts great in below zero weather. Gas mileage consistently between 27 and 33 mpg. Handling is nice not to stiff and rides much nicer and quieter than my 02 Honda civic. Stereo good. Cannot see why anyone would pay the extra money for a Honda which is several thousand more with less equipment. Warranty is unbeatable and overall quality seems to be great. I would recommend this car to anyone that is looking for a great car at a great price.