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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  LOTS OF RESEARCH - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By OATMAN - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THE UP-HIGH RIDE, I LOVE THE BODY STYLE, I LOVE THE WARRANTY, I LOVE ALL THE FEATURES, AND THE GREAT PRICE, THE RIDE IS JUST AS SMOOTH AS THE SONATA,WHICH WAS MY LAST CAR ("1999"),AND KNOWING IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG OR BREAKS DOWN, TAKE IT RIGHT TO THE SERVICE DEPT, GREAT SERVICE AND NO CHARGE

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  A real road predator.. - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Md - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Real Impressive coming from a family of economy class cars, amazing suspension and killer ride. Easy to handle on those really badly constructed exit ramps. Juicy sound on both enginee and stereo, but never combine, (unless you want to roll the windows down and let the world know your rooming around). Great value for what is worth.

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  Is Driving Believing? - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Munda - November 24 - 10:00 am

  While Ive only owned my Sonata (Black LX)for a month, Id put it up against my wifes 2000 Honda Accord any day. The handling is responsive and sporty for a midsize sedan, the ride is smooth and quiet and the acceleration is more than I expected from only 218 horsepower. I have a fairly long commute and this engine provides better than expected power, coupled with good gas mileage for 6 cylinders.

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  A Fine Family Sedan - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By HappySonata - November 24 - 10:00 am

  We were looking for a new car for winter driving b/c we also own a 2001 BMW. Test drive Hondas, Toyotas, Mazda. For a comparably equipped Japanese car wed have to pay more. Never thought about a Huyndai. Almost bought a Protoge until seeing the Sonata in the dealers lot. One test drive and we were sold. The car has been flawless. I am extremely glad I got this car.

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  For the Price Cant Beat It - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By sassy - November 22 - 5:06 pm

  Already have 4000 miles on it and only had it for 2 car payments. Great little car. Perfect for the commuter who drives a distance. Would recommend it to small familes and a first time driver. Never thought I would own a non-American car, but I am sold.

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  Gotta Have it! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Doug - November 22 - 1:43 pm

  This car is so fun to drive. I love the way it looks and handles. The comfort is amazing and the stereo and Bluetooth connection to my iphone is incredible. It is beautiful to look at and has the problem to roll with the big boys.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By tjpatt - November 22 - 12:56 pm

  The best riding vehicle I have ever owned so far. Ive ridden in many higher end vehicles and this equals or excels in this department.

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  Excellent! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By brude1 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Great car, love to drive it. No problems. BTW the dealership treated me like gold all the way thru. And I paid $4k less than sticker.

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By brucew8 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  What a surprise to own a car that is fun to drive, plus the 10 year 100000 warranty. After looking at the Toyota and Honda line of cars we shopped for the Hyundai as one of our friends has two. We fell in love at first sight and walked out of the dealership for $4000.00 than the others we had looked at. We give it a 10.0 because of the no hassell from the dealer, the $2000.00 rebate and the quality. One should look at one. You will be surprised.

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  I Love It! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Derekwc - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I finally bought my dream car. It has body design like No other SUV on the market - not boxy not square but sleek and bubbly. It is a fun light midsize suv for anyone. Hyundai has become my hero as far as make is concern; this is the second Hyundai I have purchased and am even more pleased with this than the first. Well build, Excellently priced, fun, stylish, and everyone asks me how a guy like me can afford such a nice car. I named him Deshawn.