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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  My Elantra SE at 1800 miles - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By blkhd07 - November 9 - 2:21 am

  It is exactly what I wanted in an compact car - 1) Decent overall performance 2) Small enough to fit most San Francisco parking spaces 3) Roomier than my previous compact 4) Loads of features and refinements to make me feel that I was NOT making any compromises in buying a sub-$20k car 5) Killer price (especially with the rebate I got) 6) Very good gas mileage 7) Anticipated reliability as good as Toyota (very important) This doesnt get as good gas mileage as a Prius (heck it doesnt even get its own stated EPA city MPG of 28) but it is at least low emission PZEV. Hwy MPG is about as promised--36. The ride experience is just as refined as the Prius, but cost me 10k less.

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  Love the Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JC - November 8 - 3:06 pm

  Have had the Tucson 4+ years and still is fun to drive, good in winter and air con works great in summer. Own an Acura MDX as well but end up taking the Tucson everywhere. Could buy a new car but afraid another car wont be as much fun or as reliable...

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  Read this Before Buying! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By HyundaiisBest - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for over a month now. I have had Zero problems with this vehicle and am getting 4 miles more a gallon than the sticker said. My family loves it. I can keep up with freway traffic and tow my waverunner with ease. I had a great experience at the dealership, paid under invoice and feel great about my investment. I would stongly recomend this suv.

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  Love it!! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Dave in AZ - November 8 - 12:43 am

  Ive had the Veracruz for five weeks. I got it for $10k under sticker and boy, is it great. Build is great, road noise is minimal and it performs really well. My only complaint is the sound system could be a little better. I recommend the Veracruz highly.

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  Hyundai Got It Right - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Les - November 7 - 5:03 pm

  The car was presented at the dealership in flawless shape (except for a burnt out map light bulb). I have purchased new Toyotas and Hondas over the years and the fit and finish on my Santa Fe is just as good and the price cant compare. Thousands cheaper than the comparable Japanese models and a bit more stylish by my taste. The 3.5 liter engine has more than enough power and the ride is firm and comfortable. This car is the best in its size class.

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  Over a year - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kiwi - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Great car. 15 months old and now clicking over 30,000 miles. No problems. Oil changes, filter changes and tyre rotations is about it. Lifted the hood about two months ago to check something and realized I hadnt looked under there since we bought it.

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  sweet - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By dr43ew - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Its an awesome car. I love the exterior design, hyundai did a great job. Build quality is extremely high, no more crappy hyundais. Only complaint, a little bland inside.

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  Snug as a bug in a rug - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Jon - November 7 - 8:46 am

  I was looking for a full size and safe car (grandson). Everything I read or researched said this was the car for me. I love it. Smooth comfortable ride,quiet as an atheist in church,plenty of oomph,safety cant be beat. On highways or good back roads it is a dream. Sometimes on rough roads or going over expansion joints on cement roads there is an intrusion of noise into the normally dead silent interior which usually simply engulfs you with serenity. No hint of looseness and a smooth push of power when you need or want it. I assume the safety features work as well as the rest of the car. I have zero regrets in my choice and I am sure I will like this car just as much years from now.

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  Perfect sporty/flashy daily driver - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Julien - November 7 - 6:56 am

  Awesome potential. Motor clearly underrated. Wants to breathe so much harder but intake and turbo back constrict this a lot. Tuners car. Also very responsive stock, but also very civilized. Suspension perfect for daily conditions. Indoor surprising, love lighting at night! Outdoor will get you praises. Cat-back piping section is crimped for some reason..again doesnt breathe quite well. Guarantees interesting as few things can and probably will go down between 3rd and 5th year of usage..not to overlook. Insurance go easy on Hyundai brand so thats good too. Watch out winter tire cost.

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  The gladiator. Perfect vehicle. suv tucson 2006 3. - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By matthew long - November 6 - 10:33 am

  Dont hestiate. I always say treat it right and you will have a vehicle that will last a long time.