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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  Luxury became more affordable - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Craig - August 30 - 7:33 am

  This vehicle is not in the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord league... I would say my Sonata LX is in more of Lexus or Acura league...Well, Hyundai does not have its luxury division as of yet but it will soon... Its interior is larger than those Camry or Accord. Performance? 6.7 seconds from 0-60 with excellent road management ability. All premium features such as Advanced Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System, ABS are standard. Safety is the best in its class.

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  Great suv for the price. - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mark - August 29 - 8:36 pm

  I was about to buy Nissan Rogue, but after I drove it found it underpowered. I love and look forward to driving it. Easy to maneuver, small turning circle. I have 1,300 miles, 2/3 highway, with 18.5 to 19.5 mpg average. Sticker price was $25,000 including destination charge. Got it for $18,950. Love the underfloor storage. Great looks inside and out. Blue interior lights are awesome.

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  I hate this car - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By TRNJ - August 29 - 8:24 pm

  1st off, within the first 12,000 miles, I had to go to the dealership 3xs b/c of my spark plugs -- then after about 10,000 more miles, I had to get them replaced again -- of course they didnt fix it right the first time... and second off, still having problems, just fixed my transmission and whatnot 500 buck -- of course only covered in the extended warranty--and its still not fixed... it likes to accelerate and drop speed between 60-75, of course per my claim to the dealership -- they have NOO idea what I am talkin about, gotta bring it back in... my friend has the same car, he driver door doesnt lock anymore and her boyfriend has a 2Door accent (all 05) and his interior lights dont work

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  That darn ABS/TCS light! - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Barry - August 29 - 12:42 pm

  ABS/TCS lamp comes on in damp wheather (when you really need the TCS). Dealership cant figure it out. Trans has blow in & out speed sensors (seperately) and neither was covered under warrenty ($200 a pop!). Trans blew internal solenoid. Dealer repaired under warrenty minus $$ for trani flush. "Intelligent" transmission is actually pretty dumb. Shifting is usually sluggish and its gear choice bogs the engine down too much. Front grill design...is pretty absent. ...Looks like that guy didnt show up for work that day.

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  No Problems! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By mike332 - August 29 - 8:11 am

  This has to be the best, most reliable car I have ever owned. 57,000 trouble free miles, unbelievable I know!

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  Fun to Drive - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By piep - August 29 - 6:03 am

  I like the handling of the vehicle, seems it will hug the road. Braking is VERY responsive, afraid to sneeze because it will stop on a dime. Sound system is nice, XM is a plus prefer Sirius. Recommend to anyone. Watch for rebates and incentives. I paid 1500 less than most in my area. Spacious vehicle even with an infant car seat in rear. 27 mpg on mixed country roads, city or highway unknown at this time.

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  Sonata - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ksummer - August 29 - 12:23 am

  It doesnt feel like a 4 cylinder. Its very peppy. I love the interior! Very luxurious feel to it. The trunk space is incredible and the options it came with was unbeatable. Feel very secure with the excellent warranty too.

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  Move over volvo and lexus - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By dave mona - August 28 - 10:23 pm

  I got rid of my xc90 volvo. expensive junk. The Lexus for the money is just ok. I am very happy with my limited Hyundai, its fantastic.

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  Sonata Elegance - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Groovy - August 28 - 5:32 pm

  Excellent driving experience! The 2003 Hyundai Sonata- super value, super elegance!

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  A great SUV....Er...Crossover...Er..Car. - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skierbri10 - August 28 - 4:56 pm

  This is one of the nicest vehicles I have ever driven. As far as AWD SUVs it is the nicest. I have driven and owned various SUVs and this is by far the best. Jeep, Honda, Toyota dont match it. I am hoping though that they are right about the improved quality and it lasts me for awhile. Though, I have had Hondas that were junk. I guess you just have to get lucky.