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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  Did my homework! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By hwjoe - March 3 - 9:00 am

  I love my new 2012 Elantra Touring! It has more cargo rom than a Nissan Murano at 1/2 the price! Good gas mileage, comfortable ride, and room for my small family make it the perfect crossover alternative. The GLS with the preferred package is a great compromise between the bas emodel and the more expensive SE model! Many of the same features for a lower price. The competition cant touch this car. Matrix seems shoddily built, Focus HB is much more expensive, Mazda 3 HB has much less room and price is higher. I recommend this car whole heartedly

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  Im cheap and this was worth it! - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By ntsapjr - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I think $ for $, it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. I wasnt eager to spend $19k, but 34k miles later I’m relieved to have a great, fully loaded GLS V-6. The car has plenty of room (Im 59" 290lbs at heaviest). I’ve been able to squeeze out 24/32mpg – thats not always, but I can bet on at least 21/29mpg in every tank. The only problem I’ve had is with the drivers side auto window. But that 10yr/100k warranty got me a smile, a new regulator, and NO BILL! Routine maintenance has only cost about $400. It may not race like a mustang, but it will do 75 with little noise and lots of comfort.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By KebbyT - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 10/2001 after 09/11. What an awesome automobile. Quality in design, workmanship, and overall a great accomplishment for the car. Should win any and all awards for ingenuity and originality. A success in concept to reality. I am most proud every day of my purchase and ownership of this automobile. Hyundai, be proud!

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  Wonderful car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By b j CHRISTY - March 2 - 4:46 am

  Great car. Exceptional value. Local service/dealership and Hyundai national VERY interested in customer satisfaction..constant follow up. Highly satisfied, second Hyundai owner

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  Exceeding Expectations - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dave Hermens - March 1 - 2:30 pm

  Before purchasing the Elantra GT, I had done extensive research on the many competitors in its category. I was surprised to find that it outperformed even the Corolla and Civic. After 7500 miles, Ive decided that my choice was a good one. The Elantra is exceeding my expectations. It is sporty, economical, quiet and a very fun car to drive. The performance in the city or on the freeway has been exceptional. My one complaint is that the GT color options are limited. I would have liked a white GT.

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  IN LOVE with this car...Civic SI Convert - 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By slthomas123 - March 1 - 1:38 am

  27 yo female, I have a 2.0 R-spec, and couldnt love it any more than I do. I previously drove a 2009 Honda Civic SI, and never thought Id love any car in the same price range more. Well let me tell you, the Genesis beats the SI any day. Granted, there are amenities I wish Hyundai would add to the 2.0 models--I was initially irritated that I couldnt buy a 2.0 model with a 6spd manual transmission AND a sunroof, the R-spec model lacks cruise control and automatic headlights. However, the car is sexy and GORGEOUS (my friends all think its a BMW at first), it handles like a dream and is incredibly fun to drive. I literally get questions and compliments on it ALL the time. R-spec is awesome!

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  My third Santa Fe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Hankt - February 28 - 6:40 am

  I have owned 3 Santa Fes and would buy another if they keep improving. I purchased the 2007 last May and drove it to California and back in June. The ride was fine, gas mileage was and still is 22 in city and highway. The only problem that I had was a blow out in Colorado. Try finding a 17 inch tire on a Saturday morning. I am now stuck with a top of the line Michelin that had to be replaced by the stock tire for the vehicle when I got home. I would recommend Hyundai vehicles to any one.

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  So quiet - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By je - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I never thought Hyundai could make Luxurious car!!

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  A great SUV - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pcgod - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value for the price. Comparable vehicles cost much more. Other than the normal minor issues that are associated with "First Year" vehicles, this was my best experience, and continues to be.

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  Buy of the century! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tib=Fun! - February 27 - 10:20 pm

  If you like the way it looks, you will love the way it drives. Just get in, let the generous options surround you and lean back and enjoy the ride. Very solid car and fun to drive. When I park it in the garage at night, I can hardly wait until the next morning to drive it again. Do yourself a favor, go drive one. You wont regret it.