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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  Best Kept Secret in the Automotive World - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By jrbj999 - December 2 - 1:13 pm

  Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. In other words, it feels like a luxury car, when you drive it, but still has amazing performance for the small engine size. You dont need the 6 cyl engine in a world of rising gas prices. This is the best car Ive ever had and I doubt Ill ever have another one as nice.

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  Great Car . . . - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Ethelmae - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Love the car! The 2004 model has taken care of the confusion with the auto transmission. Rides nicely (could be quieter), fold-down rear seats turn this comfy car to into an efficient cargo hauler. This is my second Hyundai - love both cars - and my second Hyundai dealer. If I buy a third Hyundai, I would search out another dealer.

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  ? - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By nucc - December 2 - 2:00 am

  awesome truck...i have a 2002 hyundai santa fe in the bronze color..4wd and a 2.7 liter v-6

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  Hyundai strikes big - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By richard hoffman - December 1 - 10:30 am

  After much research, i decided to test drive the Hyundai sonata. Wow Hyundai you really did a great job with this car. style, performance, safety,and it looks great.I was sold when i hit the accelerator.

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  like the car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By like the car - November 30 - 3:36 pm

  runs great, warranty a real plus, get lots of compliments on the style, affordable but doesnt look it

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  Still Lovin it - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By lovinit66 - November 30 - 8:35 am

  I bought my Tib brand new in 2007. I now have 63,500 and still no major problems. The clutch cylinder slave went out at around 60,000...but of course it had to go eventually. I absolutely still love my car. I just had the rear brakes changed 2 weeks ago for the first time. Front brakes are still great. The original tires only lasted about a year, but I got new ones at Discount Tire and they are going on a year and a half and still great tread left. Only problem I have with my Tib is my children will grow out of the back seat in the next few years. Then I guess I will have to get an SUV. But I think I will keep my Tib for when I drive alone!!

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  Great Driving Experience! - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By susanbreit - November 30 - 12:56 am

  This is my first Hyundai. So, far this car drives real smooth, looks great and I got a good deal! The customer service that I received at Freehold Hyundai was fantastic. I would have not purchased the vehicle, if it was not for the professionalism of my salesman Tom Tapke. The dealership should realize how valuable he is!!! Thanks Again!! Susan Breiterman

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  First Week-First Impressions - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By pharmac - November 29 - 11:30 pm

  Just bought my LX last week. First week impressions of fit and finish are excellent. Everybody who has ridden in it are very surprised by the quality of the workmanship (they remember the early Hyundai days in the US). Looked at the Ford Escape, but it drove like a truck and had the interior of a truck. It lacked the standard safety features of the Tucson and was only so-so to drive. Not done a long trip yet, but commuting in it has been a real pleasure. I go the Alpine Mist (aka green) and it is a very sharp color.

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  Bugs Fixed - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By kamana06 - November 29 - 9:39 pm

  Shortly after purchase of the hybrid with the electronic package had multiple problems with hybrid system...Finally, after several engineering "fixes" the hybrid function has been as expected for the past 20,000 miles of California driving..I have not experienced any noticeable problem with the transition from electric to motor nor any meaningful problem with braking performance. Overall I think this car is a good combination of price, exterior design, and amenities without paying a premium for an upscale "badge."

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  Love, love, love it! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By pam - November 29 - 9:39 pm

  Bought with 23,000 miles on it and in two years, have not had one single thing done to it except change the oil. Has started every single time - even in 20-below zero weather. Like the style -too bad they changed it for 2006 - now you cant tell the Sonata from any other car out there!