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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  I Love My Car! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Angel8369 - April 22 - 6:43 pm

  Ive had the Tuscon for about two weeks now, and I absolutely love driving it. It handles quite well in the snow. The body style is different than other SUVs out there. I love the two tone it sets it apart. I love all the safety features. This is truly one of the best deals out there.

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  06 Sonata! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ida - April 22 - 6:16 am

  This is a very smooth ride, takes the humps and bumps of the road with ease. The world outside isnt heard inside I dont hear the rush of the wind as it passes over the car. Easy to navigate into those shrinking parking spaces. The V6 models are manufactured in america. I had this model as a rental the week prior to buying it. I was looking to buy another 4x4. Im not a car person I decided to add a car to my family of vehicles(I drive a 04 silverado with a 4-inch lift& a 95 blazer)there are lots of options available to me, I did my research and it just seemed to be the best as far as safety, price, warranty, & miles per gallon as well as comfort features. The internet was a huge help!

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  Great Value - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Helen - April 21 - 10:33 pm

  I bought this car because I needed something cheap to get me through college. I am so pleased with my purchase. Its a basic car, but the warranty makes me feel comfortable having it for the next however many years. My only complaints are that the keyless entry does not come with a trunk release, and that a CD player is not standard. Also, sometimes I find that I have to absolutely slam the trunk before it will latch, so check that out when youre looking.

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  2009 GLS Sonata Great Bargain - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mark Levitz - April 21 - 8:23 pm

  I bought the 2009 sonata because I was looking for a reliable car and a nice car to drive. I have had it for only a day and it is a fun car to drive and nice as well. I bought it for a great deal. I only paid 15,140 for the car and I got them to through in mud guards and mats as well. So it was a great buy.

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  Great car for the price - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kathy - April 21 - 6:30 am

  We considered both Camrys and Altimas in addition to the Sonata. We are very pleased that we chose the Sonata. It is a great car for the money and is as appealling at the curbside or on the road as either of the others that we considered. It was the warranty that was the final selling point for our purchase. You just cant beat a Hyundai warranty.

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  Its about time. - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By John - April 20 - 9:16 am

  After owning 4 Hyundais Ive waited 10 years for them to bring out a minivan and they didnt disappoint me what a product.The standard features are second to none.The top warranty on the market how can you go wrong?.If you dont look at the Hyundai Entourage it will be your loss.This minivan is very responsive to the road and power all I can say is WOW!It does Move with a speedometer that goes to 130MPH can hardly wait till after the breakin period.You will think you are driving a sports car.The Premium Entertainment package makes you feel like you are in a Home Theater.Love the extra mirror to keep an eye on the kids and the radio controls on the wheel.This minivan to me is it!.

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  I WOULD BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI! - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By DAVID HUARACHAS - April 20 - 2:00 am

  I AM VERY PLEASED WITH MY CAR. IT WAS DIRT CHEAP AND ALMOST NEW. THE ONLY THING I DONT LIKE IS THE SMALL TIRES BUT A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS FOR BIGGER RIMS AND TIRES AND SHES PERFECT. I AM A BMW OWNER AND I KNOW ABOUT SHIFTING, HANDLING, PERFORMANCE WHEN I DRIVE A CAR. IT DOES ALL VERY VERY WELL. ITS BEEN 4-5 MONTHS IT RUNS PERFECT, NO PROBS WITH ANYTHING. I WAS GOING FOR VARIOUS YR 2K ENTRY CARS LIKE THE FORD FOCUS, PROTEGE,COROLA, ETC.. I TEST DROVE THEM ALL AND THE ACCENT WAS SUPRISINGLY BETTER IN ALL ASPECTS! REAT DEAL. I WAS SICK OF MY BMWS SUCKING ALL MY HARD EARNED SAVINGS MONTHLY IN MAINTENANCE & REPAIR! HYUNDAI PARTS ARE A WELCOME CHANGE!

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  06 Sonata comments - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By TEAShea - April 20 - 12:53 am

  The 06 Sonata has a wonderful engine - smooth and powerful, with a lovely ripping sound that only a fine engine can provide at full rpm. The exterior styling is classic and distnguished. The panel gaps are as the narrowest and thinest in the auto world - absolute world class regardless of price. My comparison shows that an LX is $4,600 less than a Camry or Accord with the same equipment. Hyundais estimate of the difference is low. The suspension is well controlled and balanced. There is no torque steer and understeer is well controlled. The interior is well designed with good quality of materials for the class. The tolerances and build quality of the entire car is very good.

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  Much better than you think - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By CL - April 17 - 4:46 am

  This car is pretty good. The only problem Ive had is that my front wheel bearing was shot around 80,000 miles. The dealership fixed it for free under 100,000 mile warranty. No other problems so far and Im nearing the 100,000 mile mark. I do my own oil changes, and did my own tune-up. Paint is still excellent even though I park it outside. I did wax it a couple times. Overall, an excellent car, but not very comfortable because after a long drive, my back hurts. The only time I had to call a tow truck was when I ran out of gas. LOL.

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  This is cool! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Thomas Kim - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Hyundai Elantra is flawless car. I bet no one can get this much car with its price and its service. Its really good for people who look for a car to have a fun..!