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:

• 

  Genesis Coupe 0-7500 miles Experience - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Kwakasmith - December 7 - 12:20 pm

  My 1st Hyundai. Previous car was a 2007 VW GTI (owned for 3 years). Reliability Mechanical issues: None to date. Electrical issues: Sterno once slow to respond (Winters day 12 deg F). No problems since. Trim issues: None to date Performance Engine: strong, very smooth and quiet. Try to stay in Auto mode now as quite easy to chug along at 65 mph in 4th gear without noticing. Gearbox: Smooth, fast response. Suspension: Planted but can sometimes feel as though your tires need inflating slightly (when they dont). Overall Impression: This is an excellent car & fun to drive. Knocks the spots off the GTI I owned and that car usually receives 5 top ratings in most magazines.

• 

  Nice at first-now the worst purchase ever - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By cofun74 - December 7 - 3:45 am

  I bought the Santa Fe in April of 2013. I put a lot of miles on my vehicle with highway travel back and forth to work and driving my child to her activities. Currently my vehicle has 40,000 in October of 2014. I really enjoyed the vehicle at first, until the funny clunking sound started in the front end while starting off from a complete stop. After my Hyundai ceritifed service department at Bob Brady Dodge proceded to tell me nothing was wrong with my vehicle and that they had driven it 10 miles, although the odometer had the same mileage as when it was dropped off. When the service guy rode with me he did confirm it didnt sound right, although they convinced me it was just the AWD.

• 

  Sweet - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Clo - December 6 - 4:43 pm

  If youre looking for a hot sports car for uner 22K -- this is it. Spend the extra #s and get the 6 cyl and the Infinity stereo and lether interior plg -- Hot looking car!

• 

  2008 Veracruz - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By ksa_veracruz - December 6 - 3:33 am

  Over one year service and so far no problems. A very quite and smooth drive.

• 

  2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Leo/Chicago - December 5 - 5:03 pm

  This is the best car in this class. Exterior Design, Interior Design, Fuel Economy around avrg. 30 MPG,Performance what to say just great car I love mine GLS 2011 Sonata.

• 

  A Preview of great things to come... - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Drew - December 4 - 7:10 pm

  Hyundai will be a major powerhouse in the US. No one can come close to their warranty and will attract many to this luxurious sedan. This is a taste of what to expect from Hyundai will be showing to the American market. They will be debuting a luxury brand to compete with Toyota. The Equus (which is the top-of-the-line in Korea) will coming here soon and many people its better than a LS400...the redesign of that car will be coming soon. This will definitely get your moneys worth. You will be impressed like I did.

• 

  WOW!!! - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Spencer - December 3 - 8:53 pm

  Bought this 2008 used in 2009 a week ago with 40 (forty) miles on the odometer. What a steal!!! The car is sporty/fun/economical. Anyone driving this car that is over 61" might not have enough headroom. I got the GT LTD, and it has plenty of power, and being front wheel drive it seems to have more power than I need. The price cannot beat, and the GPS,Stereo,Auto Air conditioning are all great features that came with car. I highly recommend this vehicle.

• 

  Another Santa Fe - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mike - December 3 - 7:16 pm

  After test drive i realized how better it was than my 06 other than engine it was completely redesigned. I loved the 06 never any problems in almost 4 years so i traded it for the 09 leftover and have not been disappointed. Fun to drive and it looks like the more expensive SUVs in its class.

• 

  Slow off the line - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By I like it ,I like it - December 3 - 7:10 am

  Ive only had the car a week and so far I like the car very much. My ONE concern is the car is very slow off the line.When youre at a light or stop sign and you first hit the gas, it takes a second or two before the car goes. This also happens between 1 gear and 2 gear.

• 

  Upgrade from Elantra to Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob - December 3 - 2:30 am

  This car is well equipped and is fun to drive. It truly delivers a smooth ride and is worth every cent. In fact, Ive gotten a lot looks from other motorists and they are very impressed with its new design. The dual crome exhaust pipes are also awesome as it gives the car a fierce look. I cant wait to see what Hyundai delivers in the future.