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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  XG350 - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Smith13 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  After test driving many makes in the same class, for the money you cant beat this car with all the standard features and accys. Quick off the line performance due to a 200HP engine and geared very nice. Test drive it up a hill, you will be impressed. Handles, breaks, and performs well. Nice interior and saftey features. Hard to keep your foot off the gas.

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  One of the best - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Stan Boxer - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This is the best Sedan I have ever owned.

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  2007 Santa Fe AWD GLS 2.7L engine - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jsfish100 - September 21 - 8:23 pm

  With all the extras you get that other SUV manufactures charge extra for, you can not beat the price of the Santa Fe. Recommend anyone interested in a SUV to check it out.

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  Excellent Value - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike - September 21 - 3:00 am

  I was in the market for a new Camry or Accord when I test drove the 07 Sonata. The base GLS model had all of the features that I was looking for, was more roomy on the inside and costs a lot less money than the Honda/Toyota. The warranty is superior as well. I never thought I would own a Hyundai, but they have really stepped it up! And my Sonata was assembled in America.

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  Intelligent Choice - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Happy Cruiser - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased my first new car. It has been only a week but I am already in love with my new Santa Fe. Ive been looking at Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, but decided to go with Hyundai Santa Fe, biggest bang for a buck. Warranty is awesome, that was another decision factor. Lots of standard features, the only options I took are ABS with Traction Control.

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  Nervous to Estatic - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chris F - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Santa Fe with the idea of going cross country with it. I drove the Santa Fe 3100 mile through the heat, rain, mountains and sitting in traffic. I have heard alot of people complain about the horse power. The Santa Fe performed well in passing and merging and when I needed her to get up a hill she took it with out a problem. Who needs a racing SUV anyway? Overall I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone whether you are cost conscience or not. We now have 5,200 miles and she still runs like a dream. I hope she stays that way but if she doesnt there is the warranty.

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  Great Value - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DOC55 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive put 10k miles in a little less than 6 months, took a trip to Tennessee and it behaved great handles very good, very confortable, size is misleading lots of room inside. I love it.

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  Tiburon-great little car - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By srz948 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this car for my two sons to share at home and away at college. It was their choice as an alternative to a Honda Civic. We liked the cool looks, standard features, price, and the fantastic warranty. The car has been completely trouble free for 2 1/2 years now. When I drive it I am amazed how tight and rattle free it still is. Hyundai has come a long way. Their cars are truly underrated. The upside to that is informed consumers can get a great car at an unusually low price.

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  First 25k - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Pidman - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I love my GLS. There is nothing fancy about it, but it gets me where I want to go. Isnt this the same response that many people give for Hondas and Toyotas? Had to replace the A/C fan almost immediately because of factory installation, but otherwise perfect.

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  GREAT SHARK! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Wu5thward - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Simply a great car. Fell in love with it when I first test drove it