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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  Great value for the money - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By RayC - August 15 - 6:03 pm

  Look and drive like a 30K car for under 20K after rebate. You cant get more for your money.

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  Cheap and best car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Eshu - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with Hyundais simplistic design with comforts that are small. Ex: See the side trays in which you can use it as cup holders. Better power in the compact range. Best warranty. Good Hyundai customer care, at least initially. They called and enquired about the car and its performance. Overall satisfied.

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  My Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Lovin my Santa Fe - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I picked up my Santa Fe in July of 2003. I purchased a 2002 Demo,3600 miles, silver in color, that was a 4 cylinder automatic.The funny thing is that I wasnt in the market to trade in my 2000 Sonata GLSV6 and I certainly didnt want a 4 cyl SantaFe. After my test drive I was hooked on this little beauty. The dealership gave me an awesome deal and I am VERY HAPPY!

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  Great SUV except MPG - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tgalinski - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Great for the money. Great in the snow. Sound system, heated seats, moon roof and added remote start with alarm are terriffic. Power seats would be helpful and/or ability to extend leg room of drvers seat. I m not that tall but uncomfortable on long distances. Gas milage sucks much less than advertized!

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  Tiburon fun - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By J Kilburn - August 15 - 12:50 am

  Nice styling vehicle which is comfortable and very fun to drive. The vehicle handles great with excellent pickup when needed and gets good gas mileage. The most fun I have had in many years.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By foreverh - August 14 - 6:30 pm

  I didnt know what to buy when I started out looking. I had a 1999 Saturn SC2 that took a dump at 75000 miles. I was looking for something more reliable. I can not believe how much I love this car in such a short time. I test drove a few cars in its class like Honda and Toyota, and I have to say that for the options and money this one is just better. There are always going to be things that the others do better, but Hyundai caught on that its the extras that matter. I have the same extras as the SE, but without the 6CD changer.

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  my new 2007 azera - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By john chase - August 14 - 2:54 pm

  this car has been an incredible find,as we researched our new car for literally months,before deciding on a 2007 azera limited,over its competition,accord v6,camry v6,maxima and even the avalon...it literally blows away the other vehicles...now,the question is,why hasnt hyundai marketed the azera,as they have the sonata and santa fe??? i have a strong suspicion,and fear,that hyundai will cease manufacturing the azera,and throw all of their support and marketing behind the 2008-2009 genesis

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  Love It - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By JBab - August 14 - 10:16 am

  I have 0 buyers remorse. I absolutely love this car! Honestly, I was very skeptical until I actually went down to the dealership and saw it in person. I knew at that point that this was the car I was going to get. A lot of reviews talk about a so-so auto system, with the premium you get the 10 speaker infinity sounds system. Honestly, I think that for the majority of the people the audio system will be perfect. The speakers are clear and can handle some power. The sub is a little underpowered. Like I said, for the average person, the audio will be great. Any one who spends 5000+ on their system wont be impressed but thats ok because they are going to rip it out anyway.

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  Santa Fe Rocks! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Morpheous63 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  The Santa Fe is Fun to drive, very reliable and a tremendouse value. No regrets! Cant wait for the snow to use the ABS and Traction Control System.

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  first time buyer for hyundai - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By junkyarddog - August 14 - 10:00 am

  this is an exceptional buy for what the vehicle has to offer for the money.