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:

• 

  Love this Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Genjuro Hibagami - August 19 - 2:40 pm

  I did not expect such excellent quality from Hyundai. Well this one runs like a Lexus LS350. The top two Japanese brands such as Honda and Toyota won their high reputation over the past couple decades. I think Hyundai will achieve the same high reputation within the next two years.

• 

  Hyundais have really improved - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Grayson Albers - August 18 - 6:56 am

  I love it. Its well-built, fun to drive, and is my favorite car ever. It is the most outstanding car Hyundai has ever built.

• 

  8,000 miles on my 2005 Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lizz - August 17 - 10:30 pm

  I just turned 8,000 miles on my new Sonata (bought new) & still the best car available in my book. NO problems even through a tough slippery winter -- ABS & TRC pulled me through with flying colors! I love the sleek design -- everyone thinks its one classy-looking vehicle. One friend summed it up by saying, "Wow... you can go ANYWHERE in a car like that!" Its true. Weve driven across three states & the car is very comfortable. Love the back seat armrest & three seat belts, huge trunk, plush interior & fun driving. A/C cranks up fast, too! Classy black with beige interior, even in 90 degree heat its not unbearably hot inside. Kids fit in the back, even my 16 year old son & his girlfriend.

• 

  Love my Touring!! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Karen N - August 17 - 6:53 pm

  This is a great car for the money. It is a sporty hatchback that is quite roomy inside and big enough to haul all my "stuff". Didnt want an SUV but did want the convenience of a hatchback. I test drove all cars in this class and this one won hands down. I averaged 32 on the highway recently and in the city around 28. The Touring also has great safety features.

• 

  2007 vera-cruz limited front drive - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By bernard n edwards - August 16 - 10:26 pm

  We have had our 2007 Vera-cruz for a year and a half and it has been as usual a very good experience and other than a fuel filter upgrade recall the car is flawless and we are so proud of this beautiful black-diamond beauty and every time I drive it I am excited and feel like I am a Young kid again. The car is so smooth and the select shift is great and when we went to Florida I got 25 mpg and drove from Atlanta to cincy on a tank of fuel, and that is 500 miles, so if you people who complain about bad gas mileage, if you drive sensible you too will get this mileage. Love the high quality finish and the gorgeous inside and out and in my opinion it is the most beautiful suv on the market. Thanks

• 

  Becky - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Becky - August 16 - 5:26 am

  Ive only owned my 05 Santa Fe for 3 months now. I LOVE it! Its a very fun car to drive and I love the service I have gotten so far.

• 

  Great Deal for Its Kind - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By PsychGuy - August 16 - 2:43 am

  After always driving large vehicles (Pickups & SUVs), I made the switch to my 2004 Elantra GLS. I have been very happy with it. I was also impressed on how well it handles during the New England winters. It has been a very reliable vehicle and for the money it beats any other car in its class hands down.

• 

  2007 Azera - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Alley - August 16 - 2:40 am

  This car is the best kept secret in the industry. The build quality and comfort are unbelievable. Very fast and fun to drive. Very quiet at highway speed.

• 

  Great Car / Great Value - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jen - August 16 - 1:38 am

  My husband is a big guy 6ft 4in and its hard for him to fit comfortably into some cars. As soon as he sat in it he fell in love - plenty of leg room super comfy. Other cars were a little tight for him. It met all our needs - room for our family (4 of us plus our dog), great trunk space, 27mpg on highway, price, style and comfort. We are very happy. I hope this helps like all the reviews helped me. Happy driving!

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By JD M. - August 16 - 12:42 am

  Owned the car between 2002 when they first were being sold until 2015. Put 88k on it, and never had any problems. Would buy again if they still were being made.