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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  It Fits! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mr suby - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I just love this four cylinder, monster eatin machine! It looks and drives like my old Monte Carlo, without all the weird looks, or the GM nametag. The five speed is crisp, clean and well planned, I drive nearly fifty miles one way, weigh over 320 lbs and it all fits comfortably! Even my frequent on the road lunches. Plus I love the fold out rear table that covers the spare tire, I can host small and intimate clientele luncheons and have room left over to take everyone with me! God I love this monster eatin machine, do yourself a favor, get off your butt and go buy one of these machines, itll be worth your while!

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  Round Two - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By HookedonHyundai - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Wow! That is all I can think of when driving the new Hyundai. A comfortable ride for long distance driving that is easy on the gas but carries the power to accelerate to pass as well as handle any Interstate speed while being fuel efficient even with California smog equipment. The adjustable driver seat allows you to be comfortable any time. Outside, the car is just the right size for parking in tough places.Inside, the 2003 model is roomier than our older 2000 trade-in. Trading in the old Hyundai for a new one was not so easy. There wasnt anything wrong with it except we had put a lot of miles on it. In fact, we liked Hyundai so much we bought two of them this time!

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  What a surprise - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mike Z. - April 16 - 1:10 am

  You think you would be hesitant with a name like Hyundai. Dont be fooled. After you take a test drive your going to love this car. I just purchased my Sonata Limited and already I know I made the right choice. After my niece saw my car the next day she visited the Hyundai dealer. You get the feeling of a solid built car with all the goodies. Thanks Hyundai for introducing me to a well built car. Ill follow up with another review after my first 500 miles

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  hyundai 2005 santa fe notes - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dona goltz - April 15 - 1:56 pm

  Drives like a car and is very quiet. The only thing lacking was running board or step. The smaller engine performs very well and gets great mileage. Considering the warranty and all the extras, I strongly recommend this SUV as an excellent buy. I had custom running boards put on and they works fine.

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  Happy Tuscon Owner - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Loyal Hyundai Driver - April 15 - 10:00 am

  We had waited for the Tuscon to come out for a year. Just wanted to see what it looked like and how it drove. After seeing a commercial at our local theater a couple of months ago, (I was hooked). I tend to hold on to a vehicle for many years reluctant to trade but after seeing and test driving the Tuscon I had to have it. I reluctantly gave up my Elantra of five years, but I am very happy with the change. The Tuscon is very easy to drive and everything is very easy to operate. My first tank of gas showed the vehicles performance at 22 miles to the gallon. I expect it will get better after engine break-in. Thank you Hyundai for coming through with another great vehicle.

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  A Korean GTI - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By flgtman - April 15 - 10:00 am

  The Elantra GT is the Korean equivelant of the first Volkswagen GTI. Put a strong motor in a small car with a good suspension a decent 5 speed transmission, add a nice interior a good stereo and an attractive price and it will sell. I have seen as many new GTs as I did when I had purchased my GTI 20 years ago cruising down the road and passing me with a wave or knowing smile. This is a well thought out and quality built car that is fun to drive and turns heads. I have had people ask numerous times if its the new saab?

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  Fun to drive - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By P K - April 14 - 10:26 pm

  The outward appearance of the 2016 Tucson caught my eye first. I then found the interior equally appealing. The warranty is definitely one of the best around so took it for a test drive. I instantly noticed how quiet it was~impressive. Nice comfortable quiet ride. A real pleasure to drive. I had never had. Hyundai before, was trading in a crv. I wanted another suv but wanted something different than what I had previously owned yet wanted a reliable efficient and comfortable vehicle. The Tucson beat out all the others I looked at including ones costing much more. I am very happy with my choice and am enjoying being a new Hyundai customer .

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  Great Car - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Dani - April 14 - 9:30 pm

  This car is wonderful for going in and out of traffic. It is very comfortable and the ride is smooth. This car is one of the best that I have ever driven. Also the car has very good pick up and the car is very quiet from outside noise. This is a wonderful car it comes with just about everything that you need.

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  Speed sensitive locks!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Harlowe - April 14 - 7:43 pm

  ALL 2006 Sonatas have door locks that will lock at about 10-15 mph. All you have to do is ask the dealer to activate this feature. It is built in. Love this car. Drivess nicew. Pickup is awesome. Wheels sometimes "twerp" if I start out a little to fast from a dead stop. Love the heated seats...nice bun warmers. And the stability control is great. Tried the same corner in wet weather with it on and off and going the same speed, with it on car took it just beautifully, off the read slid a bit and had to correct it myself. Very nice feature. Just rember you cannot over ride the laws of physics so dont go wild. Rate it top end.

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  Great value - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Sledz - April 14 - 7:03 pm