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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  Ok but has Issues - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Karen - March 30 - 6:43 am

  Like the overall car for looks and roominess inside. A little disappointed how the vinyl doors inside scratch easily. Sporty and stylish.

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  Hyundai changed my opinion of them... - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Niceride - March 29 - 6:03 pm

  I have driven this car for 32,000 miles plus from Fairbanks, Alaska down to Seattle, Washington and now down to Lompoc, California and I have not had one single problem! Not one!!!

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  wasnt what i expected from hyundia - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By sam - March 29 - 10:00 am

  this is a nice car for what you pay for...it wasnt what i originally thought hyundias were like. this is a great car! i would highly refer it to any first time buyers. it is just nice and i will keep it until it will not run!it has a smooth, semi- quiet ride. a lot of options for under $22K. The only bad thing is gas mileage and it could use a little more horse power. But, it is a nice car. You go hyundia!!!

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  Nice Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By dc4r - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I had the car a month and enjoy it For the price it is well worth it nice appointments and design. good fuel economy, Lots of comfort.

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  Sonata 04 GLS - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bobby Joe Wes - March 29 - 10:00 am

  For the money, Hyundai builds a fine car in the Sonata. I have 11,000 miles on mine & other than normal oil changes & tire balancing/rotation, Ive had no problems. Many people say it looks like a Jag & my response is that it looks better. Every time I see an Accord or a Camry, I just smile as I got mine loaded with a V-6 for less than their stripped models go for. Good acceleration, handling, braking & 24 MPG average in suburban driving. Id highly recommend this car & over the years Ive had some big Buicks & an Infinity. Id stack the Sonata up against any of em. Great car for the $$$.

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  Nice Ride - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SWMan - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Good value. Smooth ride and much quieter than our Ford Windstar. One problem with putting it in park (started rolling a couple of times). Hyundai rep told me that they can be difficult to put in park.

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  Great Car for a Great Price! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By friend7200 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  This car is a wonderful vehicle for a decent price. I recently purchased a 4 cylinder, front wheel drive base model with the utility package included. I love the car, it looks great, runs great, and is pretty good on gas. The safety ratings for this car are out the roof. This car was recommended by consumer reports for safety and value.

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  santa fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fnamvd - March 29 - 10:00 am

  local to mid range driving distances, to 4 cly is fine...for more pep get the 6cly.

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  This is my second Tiburon - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Donna - March 28 - 4:43 pm

  I purchased a 4 cylinder Tib in 2005, then a 6 cylinder in 2009 (2008 model) The car looks great, but could use a few improvements like a remote trunk release and definitely more power and pick up. The instrument panel could stand to be updated as well. The sound system is great and I love the room in the hatch when the seats are rolled down. I get about 21 MPG, and do mostly fast highway driving. I notice a big difference in gas mileage when the car is driven at lower speeds. Its a comfortable car to drive and its also fun and overall for the price, its hard to beat.

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  Best Purchase Ever Made - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Best Purchase - March 28 - 1:26 pm

  I recently purchased the 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe V6 Limited w/all the extras, its a little Escalade. Power, fun, comfort, stylish and affordability. I never thought Id get a Hyundai. After owning a Cadillac Escalade. This is the best purchase i ever made!