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 is a Hyundai?!? - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Cruizin3 - February 13 - 2:46 pm

  If you are looking at this car, make sure you drive the track model. I drove the touring and liked it, but the Track Model blew me away. I first looked at the 2.0t. i liked the power, but thought it needed a little more. Should be an easy fix for anyone willing to make a couple changes, but I prefer my warranty. The 3.8 has plenty of power to spare though. Turn the traction control off and the rear end swings out easily. The car picks up great and the throaty growl of the engine is awesome when you get on the gas. There is minimal body roll and the car stays composed as you fly around the corners. The big 4 caliper Brembos scrub off the speed in a hurry too.

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  A Luxury Hyundai? Who Knew? - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skg - February 13 - 9:10 am

  Ive been a minivan driver for 10 years, but this year upgraded to my first "luxury" car. Ive always been ambivalent about cars -- just get me to and from and Im happy. But I love this car! It rides like an absolute dream. Most recently I had a used 2001 Odyssey that I have to say, I hated. It was never that comfortable and I had a devil of a time figuring out the panel. My husband had an Elantra I took over but wanted something bigger for kids, groceries, etc. and got the 7 seater. This car is total luxury, great ride, beautiful. I admit, I havent taken it on the highway yet, but I think itll make any trip more enjoyable.

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  total quality of Hyundai Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By John Cray - February 12 - 7:10 am

  Compared to Honda Accord, this car is an excellent buy hands down. In every aspect it is the equal of the Accord. Fuel economy, power, appointments inside and outside are equal. For the money I spent, I would rather have the Hyundai anytime than spend an additional 3,000 to 5,000 more and get nothing the extra money affords.

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  Great Car, Great Price, Great Warranty - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By adney4x4 - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I am 65" and demand space. The little car has it. I have no problems getting in or out of the vehicle. I got the GT model at the price I expected for a base model car. I have driven it every- day without any problems. I drive 60+ miles a day with a fuel economy of 29mpg at my last fill-up. However, this has increased with every fillup. I am very pleased with the little car. It has good pick up, tons of features, a low sticker price and an awesome warranty.

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  My first suv - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Paul C. - February 10 - 10:43 pm

  I am very pleased with this SUV. We looked at cr-v and rav-4 and found this was a best buy for our money. We are snow birds from Boston so the space was important to us. We bought a fwd ( no snow in Fla. ) I have only 350 miles on it. I am getting about 21- 22 mpg. All city driving and the ac on.

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  Great car, and then some..... - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By 91CavGT - February 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a great little car. I have put over 40,000 miles on my 2002 Accent GS and have had only one unscheduled service to replace a faulty throttle position sensor. This is incredibly suprising to me considering I race this car at autocross events and have even took the car to a high speed drivers education event at Hallett in Oklahoma! Interior design is VERY good and the seats can accomadate drivers of many differant sizes.

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  Nice car - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By boxer459 - February 8 - 5:36 pm

  I have 1300 miles on my new Tiburon. Much fun to drive. The 4 cyl engine is almost enough power. I chose the small engine for the fuel economy, and its acceptable.

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  The Best for Less - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Michael Easton - February 7 - 1:16 pm

  If you drive a Cadillac, Lincoln, Acura or Lexus, ask yourself why when you mail out a check every month? This car has it all, does it all and all at a price that no one cn match with warranty that no one can match. Botton Line: This is the one, luxury, fuel economy, feel good warranty, quality and great looks

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  2001 Sonata review - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alan Watts - February 6 - 2:00 am

  The Sonata is a great value. The car looks good, has the best warranty available, and is loaded. This would make a great reliable car for anyone, especially a family. My only complaint is the lack of power.

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  My Sonata - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bobraney - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Dealer service has been incredible at two different dealers. Loan car while window motor replaced, new battery at no cost after 14 months use.