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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  AWESOME!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By ValueWatch - June 30 - 3:43 pm

  I recently traded-in my Accord EX for 06 Hyundai Sonata LX. WOW!!! This car is amazing. Its sleek, fast, and comfortable. Good job Hyundai!

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  Just bought me one! - 2009 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Melz son - June 28 - 6:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2009 Tucson and I like what Ive seen so far. The interior is clean and efficient. The exterior is stylish.

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  LOVE THIS CAR - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Denardo - June 28 - 2:00 am

  I started out driving an 85 Accord, but after it was totaled in a wreck with a drunk driver, I got my Elantra. I love it! The cassette player broke, but the speakers are great. I love the compact size, you can squeeze through tight spaces and park almost anywhere. The gear selector safety lock is a pain sometimes. This car has a lot of power for a four cylinder. I was impressed. Handles very well, very easy to drive. The fuel economy isnt bad, but thought it might be a little better for a four cylinder. The trunk is also suprisingly spacious. This is a great car for a high school student.

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  Great little car - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By budboy - June 28 - 2:00 am

  For a high mileage driver you cant beat this deal. The car came with everything in it, no options (I think that has changed) it is comfortable, gets 30 miles to the gallon (on the road) and is one of the peppiest cars we have driven. We hope to keep it for five years and will amortize the price out at under 3500 per year including maintenance costs.

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  Best car for the $$$ on the market now - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Greg - June 27 - 1:00 pm

  I recently traded my sports car in which I miss because my commute now is 80 miles round trip 4 days a week. This car seemed perfect. I was considering the Jetta TDI until someone on the VW forums tipped me off on the new Sonata so I took one for a test drive. I am glad I did! It is more plush than my old BMW that was a lot more expensive. Cars just keep getting better and better and Hyuandi knocked one out of the park with this one. I also love the cruising range with the Sonata. On my first two tanks of gas I have averaged 33mpg in mixed driving. Not bad for an engine not yet broken in. I also love the fact that I got 500+ miles on my last tank of gas compared to 300 in my old car

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  The best for your dollar - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By leonard zahler - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful and classic looking auto with all the features a discriminating buyer would want to have in a car. The price and its warranty are unsurpassed by autos with similar characteristics.

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  great car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By moviecash - June 27 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car I have ever owned and my first import. I was afraid of the brand at first but find the customer service great. The car is real fun to drive,

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  April 2002 - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kremer - June 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Santa Fe in April 2002 In my 30 plus years of purchasing of a new automobiles, this is the best one.

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  I LOVE THIS VEHICLE!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By reno142 - June 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have owned and I am on my fourth new car. It is the most comfortable ride I have had. There is no substitute for the price. The Personel at the dealership was SUPERB!! they have treated me like I bought a BMW or Mercedes.

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  Fast little Rocket! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By andychesney - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Searched for a spunky little suv that gets exceptional gas milage. The 3.5 liter is the best choice of engine though you lose your gas milage of the smaller 6 or the 4 but definatly worth it back in power! Very nice design both interior and exterior. I would recommend the tan interior as it breaks up the colors and looks great!