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 Wonder - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By dougndo - July 5 - 2:00 am

  This ebony black GLS Leather sedan has been a very good vehicle. In 40k+ miles, Ive had a total of two days lost to service for four nonessential in warranty repairs, and Ive spent $30 on one prorated repair. Otherwise, the cars been flawless. Its great to have a car paid off with two years left on the bumper to bumper warranty and seven years on the powertrain. Ill likely sell it before either runs out, but what a deal in the meantime! I saved thousands by choosing this over its competition, and I continue to save money every month. In this case, I will agree with Hyundai: I bought their car and I win.

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  Im going to miss you. - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By hannnnaah - July 4 - 4:19 pm

  Durable, reliable and fun. First car I ever had and I loved it. I put that thing down ATV trails and logging routes and it took it like a champ. Quick pick-up, quiet, and very sound-proof. Surprising room when seats folded down. It lacked superior gas milage, but averaging at about 20 mpg, it wasnt too bad. Also wasnt impressed when the back window fell off into my hands after the hinges somehow corroded. Rusting was a problem inside back door. I installed an after market sound system (dash stereo, all 4 speakers and a subwoofer). Stereo installation was a pain in the you know what, but the speakers and sub wired with incredible ease. Got me where I needed to go and had fun doing it.

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  Great SUV!! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By WP501 - July 3 - 3:53 pm

  Great value for what I paid, and I love the design.

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  1st sedan - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By lck dwn7 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  my review is simple by this car.

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  great car for money - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By dicodog - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I have always driven hondas and chevys..this car is compareable to the honda and much better than the cavalier. The safety features. and warrantee are outstanding. It could use disk rear brakes and ABS should be standard. Would not hesitate to buy a new one when time comes.

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  fun car - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By MAson - July 2 - 2:00 am

  i love this car got it for my 16th in feb. and i dissagree with the review on handling i love it i moved out of my parents and in with my brother and its like an hour drive and all hills and curves i push 80 or 85 the whole way up there on 2 lane streets and never slow down so i get there in bout 35 mins. and my sis-in-law has 1 a 2002 and she loves her.

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  Hyundai in the Family - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Adam - July 1 - 2:03 am

  I totaled my moms 2001 Santa Fe, but it did so well in the crash that she bought a 2004 with all the bells and whistles. I bought a 2004 Tiburon GT which I now regret since the insurance is so high on that car, not to mention already had a speeding ticket! I am looking into buying a new Santa Fe since I need the room inside and would like to have a vehicle that I can put a hitch on to haul trailers around when I get some toys.

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  My Ride - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Shorty - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I went from a Lincolm Towncar to the Hyundai Elantra Wagon & Ive never been as satisfied with a car. I can scoot around traffic with ease. Its no V8, but I have no problem with exceleration. My dealership is wonderful & I recommend the Southtowne Motors in Newnan, GA to everyone. I have had few problems with this car.

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  2009 Genesis v6 Prem Pkg Plus & Tech Pkg - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mike - June 30 - 10:56 pm

  Ive owned Bimmers, Acuras, and a VW, however, the Genesis is the piece de resistance... the ride is amazing.. completely comfortable. Phenomenal interior design and layout, with easy access to buttons, controls, etc. Gas mileage is a wonder- Jacksonville, Florida to Miami on 1 tank of gas (without reaching "Low Fuel Notification".. Very impressive for a car this size. The stereo is amazing, and sounds even better with real dvd movies, DVD audio, or a USB flash drive w/ high quality files :)

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  Fun car! - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By mh200 - June 30 - 6:12 pm

  Test drove several cars from Honda, Scion and Toyota. BORING! Reporters please Stop comparing to a CRX. May I remond you how much you all complained about the styling among other things? The Veloster does many things well and yes it is a quirky car to drive. So what do you get? You get a car that is sporty, different, great gas mileage, huge cargo area, great foot room, awesome features and a blast to drive! It feels much faster than the numbers suggest (though off line is not great) but this is why it turns over those great gas numbers. This car is no Acura, BMW or mini and should not be compared at this price point. I love mine and FYI my other car is a BMW!