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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  Excellent - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Rolando - May 16 - 12:50 pm

  We purchased this SUV a couple of months ago.I trade in a Dodge Caravan 2005. This Santa Fe 2008 so far is an excellent vehicle inside comfort for family. Kids love it. Gas could be better but not that bad.

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  Great Car - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By M Bartels - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Battery replaced under warrenty in the first year, no other problems. everything has been trouble free. I shopped Toyota Camery, Nissan Altima, Mitsu Gallant. I believe this represents the best value for the money. I get many compliments and questions about my satisfaction. I am waiting for the new body style before committing to another new car. I bought because of the warrenty and styling. Very happy with the car as a Real Estate Salesman that often carries rear seat passengers.

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  My Tibby - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ViperVin - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had my tibby for less than 3 months and already put 4300 miles on the car. I absolutely love driving it and wouldnt trade it in for anything else. I get so many stares everyday because of the rarity and exterior beauty of the car. I had only one minor alignment problem a few weeks ago, but my dealership quickly took care of it under the warranty without any problems. Hyundai truly surprised me with their eagerness to please their customers, awesome warranty, and very low price compared to other sport coupes.

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  Love my Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By knduck - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I had so many problems with my last car that having a santa fe is great!!! I have never had a problem or had to bring it in the shop (except for oil changes). I treat a car pretty rough, so I appreciate the fact that my Santa Fe is right there with me!

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  nice - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By yup - May 15 - 10:00 am

  i love it

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  Im leasing this car - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Cutich - May 13 - 3:52 pm

  I love it. I upgraded from an 09 Ford Focus so honestly this is a huge upgrade. I got the Limited package with the tech package. Its amazing. It rides well, the entertainment package is awesome, the infinity speakers are great, I love the ventilated seat and the heated seats. The heated steering wheel is a cool feature. The sport mode tightens the steering up and it handles like a dream and it nicely adds a little get up and go. The ECO mode adds gas mileage while going down the highway. The normal driving mode is a nice drive too. I love this car and it was between this and the kia optima with the tech package. I loved both cars and they are both on the same body but I got a better deal on the Sonata for a lease. They honestly handle the same and amenities are the same, however I did like the Harmon and Kardon speakers a little better than the infiinities. But, Im confident in the Sonata and the features are great. I would definitely lease another one after this lease is up. If youre on the fence between this and anything else, pull the trigger you wont regret it. Especially if you are coming from a car like the ford focus or some other compact car. The space is literally uncomparable. I could fit 2 Ford "Foci" in this car. (Obvious hyperbole, kinda)

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  Almost. - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mike Burke - May 13 - 2:06 pm

  Bought the KIA Sportage variant instead. Bigger engine ,a hair better built, same bad gas mileage, much better price. All in all either of them would be great. This new, from the ground up, total rebuild, produces a vehicle with Swisswatch precision quality parts, build, engineering, and great styleing. Its the best out there in either the KIA or Hyundai name plates.

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  Fun to drive, great value! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By gklblue - May 13 - 4:50 am

  Bought the 5 Speed Manual version with the sport package (17" Alloy Wheels, Sunroof, XM-Radio, etc.)in July 2009 and I looooove that car!!! Had to wait a week (manual is hard to get - dealer got it from a different state 240 miles away). I am from Germany so I love the european style (interior & exterior). Did a lot of research and the Touring was by far the best deal out there. Tons of standard features, overall quality is impressive, I get 26 mp (about 30% Highway driving). The handling is responsive, no complains here. The ride is a little stiff. Engine has enough power for the size of the car. Very roomy, I love the Hatchback versatility!!! Unbeatable Warranty!

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  Driving is believing - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By nata - May 13 - 1:53 am

  compared camry, accord, and altima, and there is no comparison!!! great get up and go. nicely appointed. thought a car with this quality would be $3000 more, but was greatly surprised. and the warranty!!!!!

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  Driving is believing - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By nata - May 12 - 2:30 pm

  compared camry, accord, and altima, and there is no comparison!!! great get up and go. nicely appointed. thought a car with this quality would be $3000 more, but was greatly surprised. and the warranty!!!!!