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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  very pleased - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By erik johnson - February 4 - 6:41 pm

  This was the first car I ever got to choose - rather than "inheriting" from a family member or buying in a hurry. Very pleased. More options and comfort and thousands less than a similar mileage Honda Civic. More fun to drive, too, has a little more power. I think the GT hatchback is a cool, very Saab-like european design. I havent really needed it as a feature very often - a trunk would be fine - but for a few things it has been helpful. The interior is without many annoying quirks, nothing stands out, which generally is good in design.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Gman - February 3 - 5:40 pm

  Overall I love my Elantra. When I was looking to buy a new car last year, I singled in on the Elantra because of its rave reviews and all the comparisons people were making between it and similar vehicles (Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic) in terms of dependability and other perks. My previous vehicle was a Toyota Corolla (so far I like the Elantra just as much). During the first year of ownership Ive not had any mechanical problems (knock on wood) and have had to do minimal maintenance on it. Its exactly what I wanted in a vehicle.

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  Phillys Finest - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Vics Azera - February 3 - 6:00 am

  I drive an 06 Azera Limited with Ultimate package. Mines is silver with black leather interior with an upgraded wood kit through out the vehicle. I love just about everything about my car.

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  Will always own a Hyuandai! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Deb - January 31 - 5:18 am

  I purchased my Sonata when it had very low miles on it. I had it for 3 1/2 years...until yesterday. The most dependable car I ever owned. My mpg in the city was 27. I had no cons at all about this car. After owning a Sonata that never gave me a single problem, I decided to stay with Hyundai and just down sized to an Elantra yesterday. I know I will never be left stranded and can count on a high quality, dependable vehicle. I highly recommend Hyundai to anyone looking to buy a car. You will not be disappointed!

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  Great Car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jess - January 31 - 1:38 am

  I bought this car last October, as my 2001 Ford Focus was nearing 120,000 miles. As a commuter student,I needed a new car that was reliable.. I researched a million other cars and finally fell in love with this one.

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  Excellent Car-Sell the Honda - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By PAW - January 29 - 9:42 am

  This quiet, comfortable little car has been a pleasant surprise. Good response on steering. Will flat out move when the pedal is punched. I also own a Honda Civic Coupe EX which I love (except for the expensive maintenance costs) yet the Elantra is comparable and maybe better. Its got plenty of storage compartments, roomy trunk. I got 35.7 MPG on the first tank, half on the interstate at 70 MPH. Love the XM radio! Cost for car-$13,485 before the fees and taxes. My only con (and it is minor) is the upholstery. I have long hair that sheds and it sticks to the fabric. I bought covers for the seats but hair sticks to the arm console.

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  SURPRISING - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Steven - January 28 - 11:42 pm

  I was in the market for a 5 series BMW and decided to a take a friends advice and check out the Hyundai Azera. Very glad I did, it has all the features of the BMW with extras such as folding mirrors, telescoping pedals and steering wheel. The entry and exit from the vehicle was also easier than the 5 series bmw body. The HP on the Azera is surpasses the BMW 525 as well. Warranty was also much better. 6yrs/60K compared to the 4yrs/50K BMW. The Azera is very stable at hugs the road well on turns. OVer all very pleased.

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  Great Car for the money - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By A.Quint - January 25 - 11:25 am

  I have had this car for almost 4 years. I have not had any problems with it. I have 98k miles. I have normal maintenance on it and purchased one set of tires only. As for warranties. The power train warranty is great. I just recently took it in for inspections and there is some work that will be covered by the warranty.

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  Best Bang for the Buck! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By FlyforGod - January 25 - 11:15 am

  I get to drive just about any car and must say this Sonata is great, I rate this from a used car value and can say that itÂ’s the best bank for the buck, great MPG! Have no issues with power, soft ride and solid,my score is from paying used car price and comparing to anything else out there for the price,

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  Could use improvements - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By nutsaboutcars - January 24 - 4:59 pm

  I purchased this car 2 months ago and I already have 3700 miles on her,,I have noticed the tires gotten noisier and there is wind noise coming in to the cabin..I also noticed the v8 engine is not as quiet anymore she does get shell super unleaded all the time and I followed the suggested break in period,,The upgraded lexicon audio can use improvement because I dont hear 528 watts of surround sound.