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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  Its a Korean Miracle - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Edward Jones - October 3 - 3:20 pm

  When you ride on a Sonata 2000 is a big change from the predecesor models. It runs soft and quiet. One thing of many I like most is the fuel efficiency on road, specially on this times of high fuel prices.

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  Great SUV--Great price - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Perry - October 3 - 5:03 am

  A terrific 4x4 in the snow and mountains. Very comfortable coupled with a great 6 disk sound system. The sun roof comes in handy on nice days. The size lets me park very easily anywhere. The service from the dealer has been world class...something one would experience with a vehicle twice the price. The seats fold down easily for hauling oversize items in the back. It is very quiet, smooth to drive, and handles very well in the city and on the highway. The electronic stability control is very important in snow/ice. A winner!

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  Tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Debbie - October 2 - 7:26 pm

  Ive been driving this car for about a month and really like it. Its comfortable, handles well and has a lot of useful features.

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  GREAT CAR - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Drifter - October 2 - 6:48 am

  Ive had my Azera now for 6 months and have had no problems not even minor. The fit, finish and curb appeal is awesome. I get more compliments from strangers and friends than I can even count. I will continue to buy from Hyundai since they have the best cars at the best prices. No Toyota, Nissan, BMW or Mercedes of equal size can compare in my opinion.

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  Good SUV - 2012 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tfarina - October 2 - 3:06 am

  Hyundai continues to surprise. This is fine, reliable SUV. Packed with safety features and excellent build quality. Over 5 thousand miles and no problems. Gas mileage is good too. Between 25 and 30 mpg if you stay within speed limit. If Hyundai addresses road noise, ( loud on course pavement ) this vehicle will move to the top of the class.

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  average - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By portugal - October 2 - 2:00 am

  i have a lot of problems with the stering wheel,shakeing at avarege 65mph. I need to replace twice the front rotors, tape side doors and right side wheel bearing. The air vents make a lot of noise at 75mph and i had to replace left side view mirror and so on. I will never buy a hyundai again.

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  i like it - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By p wood - October 2 - 2:00 am

  just purchased in oct.03,not many miles yet but i have to say that so far im very happy with the car as a hole.good ride,tight,no squeaks,good workmanship.- --3.5 engine is powerful enough for me,and the trans. is smooth.got it in the moonlight blue and it is a kick ass color,lots of compliments.

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  i love it! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Melissa - October 1 - 11:56 pm

  This car is so nice to drive! Just take one for a test drive and you will fall in love with it. I can make a 360 degree turn effortlessly and accelerate faster than my 2005 v6 sonata! My friends call it "a mini Lexis IS250". I have never felt more comfortable and safe. Truly a best buy, especially for the buck!

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  A little trooper she is. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By mona - October 1 - 11:03 am

  Six months after buying my Elantra, I was hit from behind by a semi (which pushed me into the car in front of me). Other than a pulled back, I was fine. My car, on the other hand, had to have quite a bit of work (body and two things under the hood). Over four years later, Ive never had a problem with the engine -- despite her smash- up. Im no mechanic but that record speaks to me of her reliability more so than if shed never been in such a collision.

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  Im in love - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Nick DeLaTorre - October 1 - 1:32 am

  This car has great looks and has more than enough power for the price.