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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  2007 Hyundai Tucson - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By jaypol - August 9 - 5:13 pm

  Bought this vehicle for my daughter to use at college. Have been very happy so far. Ride is very smooth, handling is agile, and very roomy interior. She fit the entire contents of her dorm room into the Tucson and still had a comfortable ride home.

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  unless youre looking for trouble stay clear - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ben - August 9 - 11:52 am

  I purchased a new 2015 fully loaded Sonata 2.0 T. I was pretty happy with it until fuel injectors went bad when the car had less than 9000 miles on it. that caused spark plugs and coils go bad and finally catalytic converter! There are three things that bothers me about this car: ***1- Hyundai itself: they do not have ANY PARTs in stock, so the car had to sit in the dealership for almost a month only because parts werent available or they had to order it and have it shipped or parts were on back order. ***2- after I showed my frustration and even mentioned word "Lemon Law" to the dealership after my car was sitting in the dealership for over 2 weeks, Hyundai North East general manager "Pauletta" called me and assured me that they were working on it and they would ship the parts as soon as theyre available. she gave me her phone# and told me after my car was fixed she would call me and offer me gift cards or free service coupons. guess what?! I got my car back but there hasnt been any sign of Pauletta! I called her multiple times and left messages, she never answered her phone and never returned my call. and when I complained about it to the dealership they told me they have had the same complaint about "Pauletta and her promises" from other customers! WAY TO GO Hyundai!!! ***3- Sonata 2.0 T: stay away from Hyundai Turbo cars, I talked to three mechanics and even the dealership guy himself told me that Hyundai Turbo cars are high maintenance cars....

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  Reliable and Cheap - 1996 Hyundai Accent
  By Richars2 - August 9 - 11:09 am

  Simple car, no frills, few options. This was before the 10 year 10k power train warranty. Ive had no problems with it until it hit its 11th birthday - then the trans began to slip. Overall its been a good purchase and has been quite reliable. Cheap car, cheap to drive. Trans was always a little rough in shifting. Seats are average at best.

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  I love my Elantra!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By cjalb72 - August 9 - 10:25 am

  I have owned the car for just over a month!! I was a Toyota and Honda snob!!! I do say WAS a Snob!!! After driving this car I was amazed @ the fit and finish, the 10 year Warr., @ the price!!!

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  Good car, bad dealership - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By trkdrvr330c - August 8 - 2:13 pm

  I love the fuel mileage, I average 34 on rides to, and from work, and around 26 in town, unbelievable power for a 4 cylinder in a car this large. I wish I had bought the upscale, as the s/e is a little rough riding, and would like the extras on the limited. My only disappointment is the dealership the lied to me, telling me it had an upscale radio, me thinking the premium, my bad for not doing my homework. I do enjoy the bluetooth feature. Kent Dobbs failed to send money for referral to my friend, and numerous other lies. Love the car would recommend buying from another dealer.

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  Cute, but Costly - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Josie - August 8 - 8:16 am

  I really liked this car, but ever since i got it i had to do repairs! first things that was replaces was the trans! after 104000 the trans went. then now the converter is falling off. which sounds like somethings draggin if i go over 20 mph. i like this car cuz its cute and easy to drive but wayyyyy to costly

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  Great car regardless of cost - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By motosys - August 7 - 10:07 pm

  I got the touch and go package I really liked the Wheels and really wanted the proximity key. The Voice commands are the best of any that I have used and really like it and use it. The performance is acceptable and can get out of its own way. I went in to the dealership to look at the velositer and was very disappointed by the performance. The sales lady showed me the Elantra GT and it was much snappier and better. The fuel economy I get isnt as bad as others I have owned it for 9 months and 20000 miles I have seen in 45MPG in summer using summer gas and going down hill most of the way. most of the time combined would be 32-33MPG on summer gas on winter gas 27-31.

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  Thought I bought a Benz - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Marie G - August 7 - 9:46 pm

  The 350XGL has the best features of the Lincoln and Mercedes at a great price.The ride is good and all features are accessible.

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  Excellent value - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Connecticut Yankee - August 7 - 3:29 pm

  Escellent on gas (30 mpg with automatic transmission), but not a "flashy car." Inside in basic, synthetic materials. Stereo is pretty good, however. Plenty of leg and head room for front seat drivers (Im 6 feet, 190lbs). Overall, a great value. OH- and dont think this car is slow! If you want to do 85 on the highway, this car will satisfy the speedy traveller.

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  great suv for the price - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By joe casano - August 7 - 10:00 am

  the santa fe is a well built suv for the money. all the extras in the car u would pay a lot more for on other suvs and the quality of the car is very good. I would recommend this auto to all my friends.