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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  first couple months - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By EYEAGER - August 11 - 9:43 pm

  the exterior styling is better than any honda or toyota,.feature content for the money is better than any car line out on the market. no rattles or squeeks, engine response is excellent and shift-tronic is needed for any four cylinder model car. who else has a car with michelin tires, alloy wheels,speed control,pwr door locks and windows,audio controls on steering wheel, cd player with mp3, side impact air bags, side curtain air bags, huge trunk space and interior room, all for $18500.00../no honda/toyota/ford/dodge/chevy or even mercedes can match that price.! and vehicle and engine are made here in america!! gas mileage here in california is the only complaint - only one complaint!!

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  Great "little" car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By John - August 9 - 3:36 pm

  Best thing about this car isnt the price (which is awesome), its that its bigger than some midsize sedans (in fact its bigger than most midsized sedans of the 90s), yet competes with the compacts of the world(mazda3, civic, corolla, etc). You get so much more (standard features, warranty) for so much less money, whats not to like? The corolla is so outdated, the civic is great but honda dealers are way too proud of this overpriced car (as they dont like to come off sticker), the mazda is a good price but you still get so much more with the elantra. Hyundai has come a long way since the 90s, just try one out for yourself.

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  The Perfect Car For Me! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Missabou - August 9 - 2:00 am

  I was very surprised when I test drove my Accent. For being an inexpensive car, it had features that the more expensive cars have. I feel I got ripped off by the dealer, but that isnt a Hyundai problem, its a dealer problem. I bought my car Sept 2001, so I have been driving it for 2 years now. I had to get a couple of minor repairs done and a new battery, but besides that, I have no problems with it and Im very happy. I plan to buy another Hyundai for my next car.

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  Just got but love it !!!! - 2008 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Derby - August 8 - 9:03 am

  I just got my Tuscon and love it so far. I have heard complaints about the mileage, but my only problem I have with that is, I want to drive mine everywhere, even if I have no where to go, because it is very nice to drive so if i am using more gas it is because I am driving more.

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  Great Buy!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By PRY1782 - August 8 - 3:00 am

  I have owned my Santa Fe for 2 years and have loved it completely. Taken multiple trips out west and have had no problems. If driven properly on highway, it gets 24mpg. Otherwise it stays around 20mpg. For the money, this is the best SUV to buy. Have yet to get it stuck with the AWD. I would absolutely recommend this vehicle to others and am going to get another one in the future.

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  Sonata is a great car - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Brian_in_MD - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I had an Excel before which was great, but the quality and value of the Sonata is outstanding. I use it for short commutes and long trips with the family and it does the job really well. I have had one problem with the power windows which was fixed under warrantee.

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  Smooooth and Quiet - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By MAX Cs review - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the smoothest and quietest car that I have ever had. The interior is very easy to use and very rommy and comfortable. the a/c is good and you almost never feel bumps. overall better than any toyota for the price range. And engine has enough power for a family.

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  First Impression - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Mel Yarish - August 6 - 2:33 pm

  Car (Limited model) is totally better than either my 05 GLS or "06 GL in every respect. The ride, quietness of engine under normal driving or demand was surprising. It appears to have as good (power) as my 05 w 6 cyl engine. Economy far better about 24+ in city and about 26-27 @70 mph. Car has only 300+ miles and fuel economy should improve. Interior done very well. Exterior beautiful. Handling very positive. All in all, Hyundai did one heck of a job on this new Tucson!

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  Fantastic Value for the Money - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Alex - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Weve driven this car just over 6000 miles with 1 long trip and mostly daily commuting. The car is very solidly built. The limited V6 FWD loaded with all the options ran us just under 29K Out the Door. We found this to be a better value than every other car in its class. The cabin is quiet on the highway. The seats are very comfortable for both my wife and I. There is plenty of storage (our previous car was an 07 Murano). We also like the cabin aesthetics. Very few vehicles in this class have fake wood grain on the dash and its quite appealing. Overall the ride is nice, acceleration is great in the v6 and the cabin is quiet on the highway to go along with a great warranty.

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  Great vehicle, one complaint - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By George - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I have nothing bad to say about my 2011 Hyundai Sonata in regards to the performance. I feel it is a great car for the money and you cant beat the warranty.