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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  This car rocks! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By the family guy - April 30 - 6:33 am

  Once I test-drove this car, I knew that I had to buy one. This car is far superior to its main competitors such as the Camry, the Accord, and the Altima. I have driven all these models before, but there is really no comparison. This car handles like a BMW, looks better than a Lexus, and it has plenty of power. Even the base audio is great. I love all the whistles and bells that come standard on this vehicle. All this at a decent price.

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  Safe & Fun - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Lisa - April 29 - 5:57 pm

  Love this little car! The reason I bought this car was for its safety, fuel economy and sporty look. It is great to drive, very responsive. The interior is very spacious, so is the trunk. Feel confident about traveling with my 16 month old. I researched other cars in this class and the Accent rules. I cannot believe there arent more on the road. This car does not disappoint. Go buy one.

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  Danger Alert for 2011 Hyundai Sonata! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By mommyt - April 27 - 3:33 pm

  I loved this car. I drove it for a week before it almost killed myself my son and my husband. The steering wheel whipped out of my hands and the next thing I knew, we were in the oncoming lane! I had to fight with all of my strength to bring it back and keep it over for the distance of around 6 car lengths while the wheel shook and jerked to the left. Thank God there was no oncoming traffic or there would have been a head on collision! In the end...after being handed a lot of bull crap, I made them take the car back. They Hyundai Corporation never contacted us to even apologize. They are not going to warn any customers either. So I am. Ill never drive a Hyundai of any kind again!

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  I love this car!! - 1994 Hyundai Elantra
  By New Mom - April 26 - 8:40 pm

  I and my husbend bought this car before our baby was born. I love the space and the back seats lay down wich comes in hady when your use to haveing a truck. It handles gr8. I would sugest this car to every one. buy the way when I bought the car it had 161,000 miles on it.

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  Great little car! - 2006 Hyundai Accent
  By Lee & Bill - April 26 - 8:07 pm

  Weve had the car about 30 days! Very pleased with the performance and it is very quiet! Alot of fun to drive and the gas mileage is great!

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  Fun car to own and drive - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By ScottG - April 25 - 10:00 am

  The first time my wife drove the new car, someone stopped her and asked about her new "Mercedes". When my son and daughter-in-law saw it, they thought it was a Porsche. We bought this car because it offers the luxury we want at a moderate price, plus a great warrenty. I love the Shiftronic transmission, which is close to straight drive, while wifey prefers the auto. The 3.5 has enough "pep" with the 5 speed to climb hills and pass easily. We have only had it a week, but are really enjoying it.

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  XG350L - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By nurdlinger - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I prefer this car to any sedan on the road under $50,000! I have driven many. The car has excellent acceleration, handles very well, and is comfortable, although not as soft a ride or seats as some other competitors. There is just about every bell and whistle that one can think of, including seat warmers (not really necessary here in

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  hyundia - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By lane - April 25 - 10:00 am

  well i felt it was a nice vehicle

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  Absolutely worth it - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By River - April 25 - 5:36 am

  Had car for 6 months, never had problem, one recall for dirver seatbelt adjustment. Overall, 2006 Sonata V6 is a solid buy for me. Interior is spacious, design is fine. has really nice feeling inside. Engine is powerful, ride is quiet, acceleration is great. Gas mileage is 22-23 mixed local and high way. I saw some review saying gas mileage is bad, but, it is exactly as stated 20 local and 30 highway. Its related to driving habit. Build is not as fine tuned as Camry and Honda, but, its $4000-5000 less than Camry and Honda plus 10 year warranty. Long term reliability is unknown, but, if it meets the expectation, we can say bye bye to Japanese cars.

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  2 months in - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By RV4 - April 24 - 8:06 pm

  Had the new sonata for 2 months now. Bought it with 50 miles on it and im just about to roll into 3k. Even with the stick version that I have, the car lacks any Punch when you hit the gas, but it more than makes up for it by its good handling around corners and smooth ride. Its Nice inside, the seats are supportive and comfortable (so unusual for some reason), and the base model features are just exellent. My only complaints so far is the lack of Punch (but who needs it in morning traffic) and even when riding the speed limit and 99% highway driving, I can never hit 30 mpg. I average about 27-28 real world highway. Its not bad, but its not the 32 advertised.