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:

• 

  No more DOMESTICS for my family! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Frank - December 27 - 10:20 am

  My extended family and I have been buying/leasing Chrysler Products for almost 10 years from the same salesman who recently began selling the cars made by HYUNDAI. A couple of weeks after he got to the new store Lee called my wife and I about this SONATA. I must say that although we never really paid attention to the brand before, we are each impressed. for the cost of an entry level Dodge Avenger we have more standard features. A far more quiet ride. A great deal more room. We also looked at a few of the other cars offered by Hyundai, after meeting a very considerate owner. We now are driving a wonderful new car.

• 

  My new Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kitty - December 27 - 6:36 am

  I have just purchased a Hyundai Tucson and I am very pleased. It drives like a sedan (that was important to me), feels stable on the highway and has a high view of the road. I traded in a full sized van, so I was looking for something smaller without giving up a lot of the pluses found in a van. I was able to afford a car with much nicer "extras" than I had expected in my price range, plus, the extended warranty was an important factor. The exterior styling mimics that of much pricier cars and it has folding seats to help carry any outsized items. So far, its exceeded my expectations!

• 

  Fantastic value! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By driveit - December 27 - 2:00 am

  This elantra is hands down the best auto I have ever had the pleasure of owning. I have 4 other autos in my family, two of which i paid in excess of $90,000.00 for and this little car is the most trouble free of them all. what a great find!

• 

  VERACRUZ Limited - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Shelby24 - December 25 - 11:20 pm

  Have just purchased my first Hyundai and am I immpressed with the Veracruze!! Test drove the Mercedes M class, Lexus RX, Honda Pilot, and VW before visiting the local Hyundai dealer...I felt like I was in a 40k+ SUV during the test drive, gorgeous leather, smooth (and extremely quiet) engine, phenomenal handling, and above average interior materials. With all the std safety features, warranty, third row seat,and added little features I feel like I purchased a great SUV, but also a great value.

• 

  A Terrific Ride! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Vickie - December 25 - 2:30 pm

  I researched SUVs for close to two months but when the Tucson became available I knew it was the car I wanted. The safety features including stability and traction control are what sold me. At first glance people compare it to the Lexus SUV. I feel safe driving this car!

• 

  Great Little Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By RustyFrenn - December 25 - 10:00 am

  In less than 100 miles driven, I am very pleased with the car, which came loaded with options as standard. My one concern was sheet metal that seems very thin. A hood that has to be propped up with a rod. Brakes seem mushy and uncertain, would like a more solid feel. Does not seem powerful at all, but it suits me fine for $12,800 including sales tax. List was over $15,000 inc. tax. Very happy with it for the price.

• 

  Great Car and keeping on being great - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis - December 25 - 7:20 am

  Traded in a 07 Corolla. Wanted more car and was doing a 67 mile round trip commute. Needed good mpg and Hyundai delivers the same mpg as the Corolla did. We recently have had back-to- back blizzards in MD and my Sonata never let me down. No need for AWD or Four WD with the Sonata having FWD and traction control coupled with Triptronic auto transmission. I love the car. Car is luxurious in GLS trim.

• 

  JD Power & CR: Hyundai beatsToyota-Honda - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By James from tampa - December 24 - 4:26 am

  According to JD Power & CR, Huyndais have better initial quality and overall dependability than Toyota and Honda for 2006, which is consistent with Edmunds Sonata, Camry, and accord midsize shootout with cars evenly priced. After the research, I found myself in a car with a 10 year warranty (instead of 3), better initial quality by JD Power, greater dependability by Consumer Reports, Na V6 w/235 HP, full curtain side airbags, Vechile Stability Control, Traction Control, full power, a sun roof, Alloy wheels, great interior fit and finish, more interior space, a quiet er ride that accord or camry with a auto manual shifter and performance to match. Gotta test drive one and see for yourself

• 

  300k+ miles - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By fansh - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Now @ 301,000 miles. Motor just started to make noise. Trans just started slipping between gears. All orig equip. but for: tune-up/filters, a/c compressor, a/c block, inside fan motor (x3), rad., alt.,on 1st replacement rotors (1st brake job @ dealer @ 80k miles). Still on orig suspension. No motor nor trans work except normal maintenance. Some oil changes @ 10k miles. Remarkable auto to keep up with me.

• 

  2005 TUSCON LX - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Love my Tuscon - December 22 - 6:50 am

  I was tired of taking my old SUV in repeatedly for the same problems. When I test drove the Tuscon, I was thoroughly convinced. With the V6 it has pep and the electronic stability control has it gripping the road securely and maneuvering like a much smaller vehicle. Its fun to get in it and just drive. It also came with standard ABS brakes and 10 airbags adn a super warranty. Being a sports Mom, it has the room to carry the bat bag, Moms chair, a cooler and still enough room to carpool 3 teenagers to the game. The controls are well located and easy to see and operate. Love the chunky look of it too! While Ive only had it a short while, I am enjoying it immensely.