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 small suv - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Frank - May 11 - 6:43 pm

  Very well built small SUV. Very roomy interior and versatile. Very long list of standard features. Best warranty in its class. Could use some more power, but saving plenty at the pump makes up for it. Very quiet ride and independent suspension makes for a comfortable ride.

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  Second Generation Elantra Owner - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By mlrenner - May 11 - 5:15 pm

  I currently own a 2001 Hyundai Elantra which I am about to pass on to my 16- year-old daughter. The car has 130,000 miles and still runs great so when I wanted to purchase a new vehicle, there was no question that I wanted another Elantra. I went with the SE model this time. I am extremely pleased with how much the vehicle has changed (for the better) since 2001. I love the comfort of the cabin and the sporty look. I am definitely impressed with the horsepower as well. I look forward to driving this vehicle each day!

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  So far - So good - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Jeff - May 11 - 3:32 pm

  I have had my Accent Hatchback for one week so far. Do not like the plastic doors. Too easy to scratch. What were they thinking?? Radio only partially worked, dealer had to order me another one, no biggie. Fuel economy on the second tank of gas not living up to its hype. I will give it a month and see what happens. If my Hyundai does not impress me in the first year, I will not buy another one. Too much to choose from that are just like it.

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  I love it! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dude - May 11 - 3:00 pm

  I just bought this car and I love it already!. This car is very practical for a college student such as myself.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Fuelman - May 11 - 2:17 pm

  I have purchased over 12 vehicles in my 47 years of driving. The Azera is the best I have ever owned. It handles like a dream, rides like it is on a cloud, and has the power the likes of which I have never experienced. Peoples heads turn when I pull into a parking lot or they see me on the highway. Lexus and Mercedes looks in a Hyunday. If you are looking for a luxury car, test drive the Azera, once you do you will be hooked like I was. Great car.

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  Sherrys Review - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sherry - May 11 - 11:06 am

  I just traded in an 07 Cobalt for my Hyundai. I should have bought the Hyundai first! Beautiful car, so much more bang for your buck than any of the GMs or Fords I looked at. I just really like this car, happy to be out of a car with 50k that was falling apart and had constant recalls. Hyundais warranty also cant be beat, and my dealership was great to work with!

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  Love my GT! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dovid2 - May 11 - 10:00 am

  I have been following this car since its inception. I was finally able to buy one in December. My round-trip commute is 75 miles and the car is still fun to drive and comfortable and I look forward to getting in it every day. My only quibble is the radio, which is geared toward a younger market and somewhat inconvenient to use, although it sounds great and the remote helps.

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By W. Thomas - May 11 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my first Hyundai Sonata (LX)in March and drove it from CT to MO. This was one of the best cars Ive ever driven and this is taking into account that prior to purchasing this car Ive never owned anything but Volvos. Actually the car drives alot like a Volvo but is much more spacious, and has more play in the brakes and at half the price. All I can say is Im glad I made the purchase..."Great Car"

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  Good SUV for the money - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TerpFan - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Just the right size. Good looking vehicle.

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  Took a chance - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mark - May 11 - 9:03 am

  After my lease on my 2004 Toyota Highlander expired, I thought about a new 2007 Highlander. I also took a hard look at Hyundais Santa Fe and Subarus Forester. In the end, I took a chance on Hyundai--- a chance because, after all, this is the parent company with the DNA of the Excel I remember so well from the late 80s. Well, the Santa Fe has proven to be a winner. It meets or exceeds Highlanders standards in every aspect except fuel economy. Fit and finish is superb. The cabin is quiet and comofortable, steering responsive and confident. I recommend the Santa Fe for anyone looking for a CUV. It compares to, or exceeds, the best the rest of the field has to offer.