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 little car!!! :) - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Antione - June 7 - 7:03 am

  This is a wonderful gas saving car. I love the performance of the car & I love the sleek exterior of the body of the car. Its fun to drive, I just love the specs on the car. Quality sound system that would blow your mind, Its equip with 6 speakers,cd player,a/c,adjust your seat up/down - front/back, you can also fold down the back seats to create more space. Overall this is a gas saver,and created less pollution then most cars.

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  The Azera Experience - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By guestnurse - June 7 - 1:09 am

  I had never heard of this car but drove by a dealership and saw it sitting in the lot and I loved the sleek design and styling. I stopped to look and at first thought this is way too expensive for me. I loved it from the minute I sat in the very comfy leather seat. The best thing about it to me are all the features and how comfortable the seats are and the smooth ride. I am a new owner and hope that my experience with my Azera is an enjoyable one.

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  Never Buy A Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By rdw59 - June 6 - 8:43 pm

  My wife needed a car for her business with space. Read all the reviews and comparisons. Purchased the Elantra Touring. Radio never worked right, but would not act up at the dealership. Then the ignition switch started locking up (will not turn) no problems with the keys.My wife would not drive because she didnt want to be stranded. Dropped the vehicle off @ dealership, said 2 weeks for ignition switch. We have been waiting 4 weeks. They do not stock parts in the US for this car. Waiting for the part from Korea. Can you believe this? Cant wait to get this fixed so I can get rid of this thing. I have had to rent a car, no help from the dealership or from Hyundai.

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  Very unhappy - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By unhappy1980 - June 6 - 10:41 am

  I purchased my veloster 9 months ago and the vehicle is in the shop every other month for a problem. Ive gone past the dealer and still Hyundai Canada is not doing anything. Its ridiculous on how they can sell a lemon and not take responsibility for there default merchandise. I cant even enjoy my vehicle and making payments on a car that spends more time at the dealer then with me.Im very disappointed in hyundai and the customers satisfaction is there thing bullshit. Its excuse after excuse and they lie about the work they claim they did on the vehicle. Im extremely frustrated and ready to take further measures.

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  Surprised Me - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Paul - June 6 - 10:12 am

  Wanted smaller car for milage looked at Civic and Corolla. Price did for Hyundi after rebates and dealing got it for $15,000 MSRP was 18,380. I cant believe it is quieter than my 2005 Camry and much less wind noise. Audio first rate. Simple controls nice cubbies and tight fit. I never thought a small car, at such a price,could offer so much. Hyundi did it right. Have not had the car long but averaging 30 mpg on combined driving. Waiting to take a trip.My reliability rating is a guess.

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  Didnt purchase. Leased. - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By M - June 6 - 2:40 am

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  Love it! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Linda L - June 5 - 11:16 pm

  I traded in my 2008 Sonata for the new 2011 Sonata. My 08 was a good reliable vehicle and in great condition. I just loved the new styling on the 2011 Sonata. Ive got 1200 miles on the new car now; and I love it more every time I drive it! The seats are so much better - they really enclose you. People ask me about the car everywhere I go - they all think its a Mercedes or a Lexus. I had the windows tinted and it looks even better now!

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  Dangerous for tall people - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By whatever - June 5 - 10:57 pm

  I love this car and recently got an awesome deal on it. But I have to sit rather akward to keep my head from hitting the ceileing (im 63"). It has a sun roof which is nice though thats where my head is. Problem is if I get hit at the passenger door im very likely to break my neck, even at slower speeds.

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  A Hyundai? Yes, a Hyundai - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hottdogz - June 5 - 7:59 pm

  We were just minutes away from buying a 2007 Toyota Corolla S and we walked onto the Hyundai lot everything changed. What caught my eye was a sporty little blue car that we thought looked like a Jetta, only nicer. We found the courage to walk into Hyundai territory, only to find the best small car on the market today, the 2007 Hyundai Elantra. When you add up the list of standard features with the SULEV rating, MPG, XM radio and outright fun of ride and drive it was no contest. The Corolla was off the table and staying off the road. We bought a small car because gas prices continue to rise the excitment of it all ended right there. To our supprise, this car Rocks!!!Yes a Hyundai

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  My Baby!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Haroldinho - June 5 - 3:40 pm

  I bought my Tucson on April04, since then, Ive put 6K miles on it with no problems. After reviewing SUVs for months, I was undecided between the Equinox, the VUE and Tucson; fortunately, I think I chose right! Even though I havent had the opportunity to test the 4WD, it seems to be a very solid vehicle with nothing less that good safety features. The vehicle has a decent gas mileage, but the engine could be more powerful; may be they can design a 3.X one able to jump over the 210HP.