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:

• 

  Loyal Hyundai Owner Gets Converts - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By 2sweett - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Santa Fe for my mom last year when her 96 Toyota Corolla was totaled in an accident. She had problems entering and exiting the Corolla because of arthritis. Now she rarely complains because the Santa Fe is so much higher off the ground. She really enjoys driving it; she never thought she could maneuver an SUV. But the Santa Fe is very responsive, and it doesnt drive like a truck. Im planning to buy a Santa Fe for myself. I get many compliments on the Santa Fe, and one co-worker has purchased one in the last month. Several others are talking about buying a Santa Fe.

• 

  Better Than My Benz C280 and 190 - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chinsky - August 25 - 3:20 am

  Well Built.. Can not go wrong with this price. Its better than my Benz C280 and 190.

• 

  Excellent in all aspects - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Marco - August 23 - 6:14 pm

  This car has many safety features. It’s comfortable, reliable, fun to drive and very detailed in both interior/exterior design. The features it offers are seldom found even in high-end brand of cars. Fuel economy is amazing. I average 39.4 MPG. Sometimes I exceed 40 MPG due to the manual transmission, which allows better RPM management. That’s why, overall, I don’t have complains, because it perfectly meets my “wants” and “needs”. In essence: I love it, and look forward to purchase either/or the 2006/2007 version, same model, if still in production (hopefully).

• 

  This IS IT!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Tommy - August 22 - 6:33 am

  When Hyundai built this one, the CEO of Hyundai ordered Hyundai motor vehicle division to create a model that will beat specifically the Lexus ES330 to continue their main goal to beat Americas number one selling car company. After taking a test drive, this vehicle really convinced me to purchase. I realized that theyve done it!! It was out performing other Japanese or German rivals at its class. Its cabin was quite as a Mercedes S class. An out standing vehicle from Hyundai!!! What they were saying on TV ads were TRUE.

• 

  So Far very Happy! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mikeodean - August 22 - 3:26 am

  Suv is Fun to Drive .Cant wait until engine is broken in, so we can really drive it!

• 

  Sonata SE 2012 - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By chise - August 21 - 4:02 pm

  Sonata model, in general, is really nice. Exterior as well as interior design are probably one of the best out there for the sedans. SE has a bit more aesthetic aspects than the GLS (chrome grills, door handles, dual exhausts, tire, etc). The comfort level of SE is sub par. Noise level during the ride is also quite annoying. These are due to the sporty suspension and less-cushion tires, but they shouldnt be the excuses for these crucial aspects of the car. If you can live up with this, its an amazing car. If you think you and your family rather like a quieter and comfortable car, go with GLS or Limited. I thought the SE wouldnt have much of a difference, but it really does.

• 

  a awesome car for the money - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By john - August 21 - 10:00 am

  this was a good car for the money

• 

  my santa fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By willieh111 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  My Santa Fe a very well built automobile just love it.Im 64" tall and Im very comfortable on the front or back seats.

• 

  It Rocks - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Agnomen - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I compared this to the Nissan Sentra, Mazda Protoge5, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Chrysler Neon, and others. Nothing even came close in terms of value for the money. I have only had the car for a few days, but so far, Im very pleased.

• 

  One year later - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Mike - August 20 - 10:40 am

  OK its been one year that Ive had my Elantra Touring. Still cant believe what a great car you get for the money. When I first purchased this car, I had long highway commute to work(42 miles). Recently moved to new closer location (13 miles) with city driving now. Still an amazing ride and very comfortable. Good gas mileage...27 mpg vs 31 mpg with highway driving. Even thinking of trading in our other car, Toyota Sienna for the Hyundai Veracruz!