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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  hyundai santa fe 07 disappointed - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By deborah99 - May 11 - 7:37 am

  Very disappointed with the car. Too many problems way too many. fuel sender unit at 60 K CC converter at 89 fuel pump 120 NEver again

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  What a kewl car! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Amanda Miller - May 10 - 2:40 pm

  We actually just purchased this car for my husband...and I actually love it just as much! It is very cute and very fun to drive. I think that it doesnt make any difference to me about the engine cylinder it has way more power than my elantra. I love hyundai and all their cars are great! =0)

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  Would not recommend to friend - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By djshotmail - May 9 - 9:00 pm

  This car had 2 major problems within 15 days of owning the car. 1. The radiator popped a weld (or something) on the way home from the dealership. The radiator had to be replaced (at 25 miles on the odometer). 2. Within a week of the radiator being fixed, the car would not start. The battery was fine. The car had to be towed back to the dealership. Turns out that the circuit board controlling the car starting was dead. We also own a 2006 Sonata that has never given us any problems. Maybe Hyundai quality has gone down since the Sonata is becoming more popular?

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  Simply Amazed - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By AdamP - May 9 - 6:00 pm

  Until July, every car I owned had at least 140,000 miles when I bought it. I did a lot of research and comparisons, and my Sonata ended up being fully loaded for just about the same price as a base model of Camry, Accord and Legacy. The car has the interior comfort and size of a full- size/luxury car. It gets good milage given the size & power of the engine. The features (power everything - including driver seat - the sunroof, the size of the trunk, etc.) are amazing, and are a deal that you cant and shouldnt pass up.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Owned - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By ScoSny - May 9 - 1:33 pm

  Im in my mid 40s & I have owned many cars over the past 25 years. This Tucson is by far the best vehicle that Ive ever had the pleasure to drive. I currently own a 2005 Toyota Matrix AWD, too. The Toyota is not in the same class as the Hyundai. I have no interest in driving the Toyota if the Hyundai Tucson is available. The problem is my entire family chooses the Tucson if they need to go anywhere. The car is very reliable, great in ice & snow, has very good visibility, plush & supportive seating, good power, smooth & comfortable ride, the sound system is second to none - What else can I say?

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  The best compact car your money can buy - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Estherfil - May 9 - 12:44 am

  Hyundai has nothing to envy to the other so called "giant motor companies". I totally impressed with the Hyundai Accent 2007 I bought. This car has style, performance, quality and a superb interior design. Great Job Hyundai!!! you finally are getting the respect you deserve. When I ride my accent 2007 I feel so comfortable inside, every aspect of the interior design was perfected for the driver and passangers. The car has no noise while riding, has a lot of power considering its small engine 1.6, and its super saving gas fuel economy make this car the best of its class. Two thumbs up for Hyundai!!

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  2006 azera limited,steel gray - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By bernard n.edwards - May 8 - 12:10 pm

  some people are never happy,no matter what kind of car they have,but we are on our 5th hyundai,and all i can say is just drive it,change the oil,and enjoy the car because hyundais are very reliable.some people can destroy an anvil with a rubber hammer,so hyundai rules in our house.we are waiting for and on the list for the new rear wheel drive v8,now that will get a lot of peoples attention..bernard n.edwards

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  what a great car! - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By c s smith - May 8 - 9:02 am

  Bought 4-18-2007,just finished 2065 mile trip to the northeast and averaged 27.8 mpg 75% interstate, 25% side roads.This is the best car I have owned--65 years old.Before I bought I investigated the azera for a year. I purchased all options and the 10 year 100,000 extended warranty.Happy with my azera.

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  One of the best cars I have owned...... - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By chezslav - May 8 - 2:03 am

  I leased this car then bought it at the end of the lease. I have 90,000 miles on it and it has been trouble free. I did have to have the radio replaced but it was under warranty. I get 23.8 miles to a gallon. The car is fun to drive, VERY practical, and is loaded with features. We have driven this car hard and often. It has been from coast-to-coast and back. I intend to keep it until it dies. It is comfortable, but I DO wish it had another 4-5 inches of legroom in front. We are ALL tall in my family. I recently had the car detailed by my dealership and it looks brand new. I change the oil, fluids....etc..as needed. If you can find one of these cars and it has been cared for, buy it!

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  Not a good car - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By James - May 8 - 1:23 am

  This car is not a reliable car. Also, it is very, very expensive to repair. Ride is okay and it has a lot of extras, but none of this has any value if you cant keep it on the road. My primary car is a BMW and it cost less to operate that this car.