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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  Sweet SUV - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By AznTrojan - December 12 - 10:00 am

  i absolutely love this vehicle.. i guess working with a great hyundai sales manager (Walter Van at Lamar Hyundai in Cerritos, Calfornia) made this deal even sweeter.. for 20,500 out the door.. yup.. under invoice.. there is no suv comparable at that price range and with all the SFs standard features... driving is believing.. from a family of all toyotas.. hyundai has changed this skeptical buyer into a believer..

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By EPMD - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I LIKE THIS CAR MORE THAN MY 94 VW GOLF, AND THAT CAR WAS GREAT TO ME.

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  Satisfied whit my sonta - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By orland135 - December 11 - 7:26 am

  As previous owner of a Dodge Durango I have to said the Sonata is the best. I walk in to I Love Lee Hyunday of Fayett and Ms Quiomara take good care of me. I love this car, and my family and friens fall in love whit it.

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  Second Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By duaned - December 10 - 7:30 pm

  Purchased a new Limited with everything except nav system. Traded a Toyota Avalon and no regrets. Recently returned from a 2500 mile road trip and no problems. When not fighting a head wind, managed 32 mpg at 79 mph with the V6. Overall city around 22 mpg. This car has plenty of power and conveniences. Climate control works very well. Mostly quiet car except on textured, pebbled roads etc. (May change tires for quieter ride) Very little wind noise. Front buckets ok but a little short in the seat and leg room for a taller person. Cant stretch out legs when driving. Love the XM radio but expected a more refined sound from the Infinity system.

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  Im Young Again!! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark - December 10 - 8:43 am

  I love my Elantra! At 59 years of age, its great to feel young again! I feel like Im driving a sports car! The white pin-striping the dealership adds at no extra charge really sets off the Rally Red color and black trim! (I call it my racing stripe! LOL!)

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By geezer2017 - December 10 - 7:30 am

  We purchased a GLS 2.7 liter V6 model 2 weeks ago and Ive never so enjoyed a new vehicle as much as this. It is the most comfortable, quiet, well-built, and generously appointed car in the way of standard features that Ive ever owned(ESC, 4-wheel disc antilock, outstanding sound system, beautiful interior, very roomy, and very nice interior features and storage). It handles very well. Steering is very responsive with no slop and no body sway. Also getting 21 MPG city. Havent done a trip yet to verify highway but its rated at 27 highway which is pretty darn good for a 6. Its also built in Alabama so Hyundai is providing US jobs as well. This is a well-built car built in America.

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  Kudos All Around - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ExCubsFan - December 10 - 5:33 am

  Overall, like most, I find this car a great value with comfort and convenience equal to the equivalent Accord and the Camry. In addition to all the positive things said about the Sonata, Id only add that I find the mileage I get to be perfectly suitable. In easy city driving, Im averaging about 23.5 mpg, and after a 2000-mile interstate trip I just completed, I averaged 28.5 mpg going 75-80 mph, even with one tank of 10% ethanol gas. This seems to me most reasonable and very much in line with the 30 mpg the car lists for a lower speed. Given those figures and all the other positives about the car, its hard to beat for the price: nice look, good power, overall decent comfort.

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  Love My New Limited Santa Fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rknd - December 10 - 3:33 am

  Having owned for 2 months now I know we made the right choice. I did tons of research, test drove and compared the Vue, CRV, Rav4 among others. The Santa Fe was always my favorite. My husband is a Ponitac/GMC man and was very skeptical on buying a foreign car. The Santa Fe won him over! Everyone who rides in it cant believe how quiet it is. And no more complaining from the kids in the back seat. They love the reclining seats. Gas mileage 19-20 city/24.5 hwy

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  My 04 Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By E. Corser - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I buy lots of cars and usually keep them only a year. The Elantra however, I plan on keeping for about 5 years due to the long warranty and my overall love for this car!

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  excellent in-expensive car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By boogly - December 9 - 10:00 am

  the car handles great and is surprisingly quik to excellerate when you hit the gas. Has a smooth ride, better than that of the mazda protege and dodge neon. For thousands less than those two cars it also has more head and leg room than most cars in its class. I couldnt have asked for a better car.