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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  Glad I upgraded! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By KDubb43 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 2010 Sonata for a 2011 GLS in Pacific Blue Pearl. From the first time I saw the 2011, I was hooked. I love the styling, ECO feature, and power lumbar. It also looks great in my driveway. What a difference! I would recommend this car to anyone, and I also had a pleasant dealer experience as well.

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  New Azera is quite a find - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By PF - July 24 - 7:30 pm

  I found the Azera early in the year when it was first released through reviewed automobiles on the web comparing cars at the Lexus-Avalon level of quality, performance and comfort. The automobile site reviews were so positive and both the look and technical info for the car on Hyundais web site so imnpressive that I went to a dealer to see it in person. It had just arrived at dealerships and I wouldnt have known about the Azera if I hadnt stumbled on to it during my web research. Its a great entry in to this class of automobile by Hyudai with a strong engine and comfortable ride. Its fun to drive and it looks great. Its a great car for the money.

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  Nice, Fun SVU - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Brad - July 24 - 7:23 pm

  I have been driving this SUV for our two months and love the way it drives. It is so much smoother that the Explorer I owned prior to this vehicle. It handles better than any SUV I have driven and can turn on a dime. The interior is very comfortable and my two young daughters love riding in the third row seats. Overall we are extremely happy with this purchase.

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  Great decision to get my Sonata!!! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By agamez84 - July 24 - 3:55 am

  I love my car! I wanted to wait to write a review now It recently passed the 100k mile mark, I bought it brand new on 6/11/2010 and it was one of the first on the road. I received lots of compliments and still do. I have many people tell me how well it rides, comfortable and roomy it is. I commute about 60 mile round trip for work and I average 30 mpg. The car still sounds and runs like new. All around everything has worn well, the steering wheel is starting to show cracks but 100k miles worth of driving and the Texas sun/heat I dont blame it. Only issues Ive had is replacing an alternator bracket and a inner fender well. Thats it! Well besides basic maintenance. Absolutely great car!

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  Great first sports car! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By tattoodude426 - July 22 - 9:50 pm

  As searching throughout the market for a decent sports car to start off with in my area, I had found an eye-catching 2006 hyundai Tiburon GT v6. The car had so many great features that I had been looking for but what had sold me was the style of the interior, the sleek body style and the low mileage it had on it. Ive owned one of these cars for about two weeks so far and Ive found that it is quite fun to drive and even got a few compliments already on the car. Id definitely recommend this car to anyone who wants a nice reliable sports car.

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  Look no further... - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By Bob Kelly - July 22 - 9:21 pm

  Have had the car for just over one month with nothing but high praise for comfort, driving and handling (one snow storm with the AWD system and flawless). Everything is great, but the one thing that stands out is the quiet cabin. At a sustained 80 mph theres no wind or road noise to mention. The 311HP engine puts out more than enough acceleration and cornering is solid. The seats are extremely comfortable and theres ample head room in both front and back. If I had to pick one thing to complain about its the headrest in the rear middle seat; it somewhat obstructs my view out rear view mirror. Im sure the headrest comes out, but havent felt the need to figure it out. My first Hyundai and definitely not my last.

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  Never again... - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Rich - July 22 - 9:00 pm

  At first I enjoyed the vechile, until the interior parts such as the ashtray (broke 2 times) the sunglass holder broke. I have also had ongoing fuel system problems with leaks that the dealer can never seem to fix and keeps giving it back broken. I am not happy with the fit and finish of the vechile I think they could have used better material. But i guess you get what you pay for. But i will have to definatly say never buy a vechile from the Atlantic Automall in West Islip. Terrible Service, terrible sales, they told me they were going to include a better warranty on the vechile. I ended up paying for it without even knowing. Not happy. I guess i bought a lemon

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  Good looking commuter/formal car. - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By KAL - July 22 - 3:33 am

  Traded in a Mercury Gran Marquis to gain more gas mileage and less of the large car negotiation in tight traffic. Found the GLS Sonata to be just as roomy on the inside if not more so in the rear. Performance is wonderful. Net result, happiness with a good looking sedan at a decent price.

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  Great Car for the money - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By usslsm51 - July 22 - 3:30 am

  I brought this car new and traded a 2001 Mercury Grand Marque in the deal. The Hyundai far exeeded my expectations and was far and away better than the Grand Marque in every area. I have owned many cars in my life and this is one of the best. I have driven it 58,000 miles with little or no problems.

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  Smoothness while driving Tucson-2010 - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By JYOTI - July 21 - 11:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle in Feb 2010. The serious problem with this CUV is its smoothness in accelerator. It would suddenly stiff and may cause smooth running. I am still observing but would like HYUNDAI to please resolve this soonest possible, else, they may have to call back the vehicles. Someday it is smooth with av of around 10 L/100 km some day 12 L/100 km and stiff Accelerator/Sometime it hinders the smooth running the vehicles speed.