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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  Good value - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By tstonelaw - July 2 - 4:26 pm

  I put a lot of hiway miles on my Hyundai Sonata, 150-200 mi/day and I must say, for its size, its very comfortable, miliage is about 30-31 at hiway speed with air on, but it only has 3700 miles on it, (not really broken in yet). Sound system is great, car is exceptionally quite except road noise which is a minimum considering.The trunk is suprisingly large and the back seat is roomy and comfortable. Some friends have a 05 model and theirs is what sold me on the care. So far,yes, I would buy another.

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  wonderful car - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By jakejustinmax - July 2 - 10:00 am

  It looks like a million bucks,it drives like a dream,it has power when you need it and it has all the safety features a family needs. I love this car.

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  I love my car. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By UAFAN84 - July 2 - 10:00 am

  When I bought my car I wasnt sure about buying a Hyundai, but my experience has been nothing but positive.

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  great car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By dave - July 2 - 5:43 am

  got it for invoice dealer great as of now 30miles per gallon handles great rides nice seats good lots of interior room get sport package much better tires and sharp mags

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  tuscon - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By dave - July 2 - 2:10 am

  Solid engineering and reliability. It is primarily used for comuuting. Fuel economy could be better but overall I am happy with the car.

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  Worth every penny - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By vzllib3 - July 1 - 4:10 pm

  Great ride, People think its a new BMW or Lexus. I test drove the G37,TL,TSX,IS 250, and 350. This car is right up there with all of them. Handles like a sports car when you stomp on the gas. You can beat the price with the options it comes with. I was skeptical at first of a Hyundai, and how people were going to rag on me. But ever one loves it. I had to wait a week to get the one that I wanted but it sure what worth it.

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  If you can find a better car, Buy It! - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Pastor Shaun - June 30 - 3:22 pm

  I am 55 and have been driving for 40 years and have owned countless cars including a 97 Cadillac Eldorado. I just traded in our 2004 Sonata for a 2007 Azera Limited with Ultimate Option Group 25. The Azera is the single best value on the market! Nothing compares at this price point. I shopped and compared everything in the under $40K range from Audi, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Benz, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Lincoln, Cadillac, etc, etc, etc. Some of the models road a little better, some had a little more horsepower, some a little better styling but none can put the ride/handling, horsepower, styling, warranty into a package like the Azera and sell it for under $30K.

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  great suv - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By courago - June 30 - 12:20 am

  i have looked and looked and have read and read and asked and asked and test drove and test drove all the others and chose the santa fe as the best suv all around and really really tried to understand why everybody said toyota rav4 no way jose santa fe beats it everywere

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  is it a lemon? - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By David C - June 28 - 9:33 pm

  1.5 months of ownership (2500 miles) the car broke down on the road. Due to the lack of parts the repair took 2 weeks (3cat converters and 2 O2 sensors). Two weeks later the car broke down again this time it was a computer module and a disconected wire. While driving car home from the dealer I noticed that the engine noise was so loud the I could not hear the radio. It is now back at the dealer waiting for repair for the 3rd time.

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  best buy - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jim - June 28 - 6:13 pm

  when gas got so hugh i started looking trade a 2003 ford explore sport trac.hyundai was my first and only place i went i test drove it and feel in love with it.i,ve had only one problem and it was my doing loose gas cap.i love it. i,ve seen the new santa fa and can,t wait till jan so i can buy the new one its great.