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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  Awesome - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mike Conroy - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Its the best.

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  One of the Best Cars Ive Owned - 1998 Hyundai Accent
  By Chad - March 15 - 8:38 pm

  Great Car - yes it had minor problems with cheap pieces of plastic breaking on the cup holders, etc. As long as you keep the oil changed and maintain the car it will treat you well. At 120K miles the transmission went out. For a couple years I lived in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains - I think it was too much strain on the car.

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  2011 Sonata SE - A Real Blast! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By John Mc - Erie, PA - March 15 - 6:03 pm

  Wow! This car not only looks fast, but with 200 HP and a set of paddle shifters, it goes fast! Just picked up this car for me and my teenage son on Memorial Day Weekend, and we cant stop driving it. People that see it cant believe its a Hyundai. We love the looks and styling. The seats are very comfortable, and the Dimension sound system ROCKS! SE model really grips the road. Glad we picked it up.

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  It is a little Ferrari 456 GT!! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Maximus - March 15 - 4:36 pm

  When the Tiburon is driven hard, it literally burns its tires. It has the athleticism of its lighter weight competitors. Its V6 is very confident and its steering is very responsive. Despite it is little bit heavy for a sport coupe, its effective powerful engine over comes any challenges. This car outperforms its competitors such as Toyota Celica, Acura RSX, Mitsubish Eclipse and delivers a smooth ride.

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  Veloster Turbos craze - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By Sandra Sartain - March 15 - 2:49 pm

  Love this car to death!!! I cant find but one thing wrong with it... The freaking resale value!

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  Montgomery 06 Azera - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By MMancil - March 14 - 11:10 pm

  The car has superb power and stability control. Leg room is outstanding. No matter your size this car is perfect. Packs a large V6 3.8 liter engine. My wife loves it. No other manufacturer can give the warranty that this car comes with (standard for all Hyundais), 5 yrs/60,000 bumper to bumper, 10 yrs/100,000 powertrain and 5 yrs/unlimited mileage road side assistance.

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  Wouldnt buy anything other than Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai ElantraElite - March 14 - 8:57 am

  I test drove the Hyundai Elantra Elite (top spec). Im from Australia. and its fantastic - I cant get over the quietness of the 2.0 litre 4 very refined and has plenty of up and go. interior is lovely and drivers seat adjustments are great. Comfortable seats, huge boot, and everything is standard and does everything quite well. My next car will be another Hyundai!

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  Car of the YEAR,YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By jerry andrews - March 14 - 3:13 am

  Best car Ive ever owned ANd Ive owned new mercedes and several GMs. Gets lots of looks,and my kids (34,22,19,15 )LOVE it Ride , style comfort AND Im over 50 and can figure out the computer.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By James Wright - March 13 - 12:35 pm

  The Hyundai Sonata is a very good car with lots of interior room, large trunk, comfortable seats, great legroom in the front seats, easy to understand and operate controls. Base model comes with most options one would want on a car. Gas mileage averages 30 mph. Best of all, it can be bought new for less than 20K.

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  My Brand New 2005 Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kim Muller - March 12 - 8:01 pm

  I had purchased a 2001 Hyundai Sonata and loved it. The opportunity to purchase the new 2005 GLS with spoiler and gold package came up and I am glad I took the opportunity. I hadnt always heard good things about Hyundais...but since I have owned one...I wouldnt want any other car. .