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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  One Very Satisfied Customer - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob S. - January 13 - 8:30 pm

  When the first pictures from the Los Angeles auto show appeared in December I said to myself, "This is my next car if it proves out." It has proven out. A test drive revealed the quietness, the comfort, the smoothness of the transmission, the zip (before you know it youre doing 60), the interior fit and finish, and all the luxurious features such as the trip meter and the XM radio, which I have grown to love. I prefer cloth seats to leather, so the GLS is just the ticket -- all I need and then some. I look for excuses to go somewhere in my silver ghost.

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  It just keeps getting better - 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By craiggb - January 13 - 4:15 pm

  We have a 2006 Elantra GT (and are keeping it for a while longer), which my wife loves to drive, so when it came time to replace our 2006 Sonata (another great car, BTW), we looked at the 2014 Elantra GT. Not only does this years model have 173 HP, but the 6 speed auto is delightful. We got the Pano sunroof, leather (Driver seat is power) and dual zone air. The car is quiet, smooth, darn good power and decent on fuel. a couple of thou on the odo so far, not a single glitch. The styling is great and space is terrific. Bigger than the Mazda 3 and more reliable than the Focus. We wanted power seat and this was the only one that could do it at a decent price.

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  Why go anywhere else? - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jeff D - January 13 - 1:30 pm

  With six airbags, five speeds, shiftronic transmission, traction and stability control, 17-inch alloy wheels, 4-wheel discs, a six-disc CD changer, climate control, sunroof, and beautiful interior appointments, I certainly expected to pay more than $19K for this car. Fit and finish, particularly the absence of squeaks and rattles, is outstanding, although I did have a dimple in the roof which the dealership had fixed while giving me a loaner. Add break-away mirrors and auto light shut-off and this car is about perfect!

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  Now we have 2 - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By LadyDi - January 13 - 2:36 am

  I got my Tucson after months of shopping and comparing. It is a pleasure to drive after my previous Toyota. I could tell by the look in his eyes the first time he drove it, he was in love so that when his car was totaled 2 weeks later. He went and got one. Now we have a blue and a red Tuscon.

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  Great SUV Value - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By KYRHETT - January 12 - 9:26 pm

  Santa Fe has been a great vehicle to drive. Handles nicely, peppy 3.5L engine, great visibility, nice design and the 5 year, 60K miles warranty was a big incentive to buy. Now I will have a vehicle still under warranty when the payments aare finished.

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  A step up!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Kim - January 11 - 12:10 pm

  I am a fairly young drive, 25 yr old female w/ no kids:) i bought this car bc i was looking2step up from a car..my previous car(the 1st car i ever bought,&brand new at that)a 2000 dodge neon was turning into a heap of junk.i would never recommend Dodge2anyone, esp the dealer in countryside,IL.i got rid of that car when it was slightly less than 5y/o&had a broken sun roof,bad belts, brakes were going again, radiator probelms, the list goes on.this Tuscan is a dream,i love the V6, good kick 4 expressway driving, i just love it.the dealership was very friendly!!I get about 18 or19 mi2the Gal in city.better on exprsway, i am a big city driver since i make a lot of home visits4my job.

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  A Winner - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By howdymax - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Hyundai Elantra GLS stick about a year ago and have put about 10,000 miles on it. I traded a 2000 Beatle to get this car with all the bells and whistles. The Beatle handled like a sports car so I wasnt expecting much when I switched. What a surprise. This car handles just as well and better in some cases. Steering is better, suspension is great, trans is easier and it has lots of room inside and in the trunk. it has the same size engine as the Beatle and all the power you need in a car this size. I strongly recommend this car to anyone on a budget and even those who arent. You wont be disappointed.

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  I came for price, Ill stay for quality. - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By spitfirexxii - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because of the low price. I had just bought a house and traded in my convertible. I was very impressed by the build quality for the low cost. Although obviously there are better built cars, I believe that my $12k car is not one third the quality of a $36k car. Oh, dont forget the best warranty that is available anywhere on planet Earth!!

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  Accent - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By Hyrumjohnson - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, small and fun to drive. Cheap and comes with allot of features, plus great warranty.

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  **WOW** I LOVE A HYUNDAI !!?? - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ashley - January 9 - 9:50 pm

  Wow, push button start, 18" wheels, dual exhaust, leather/cloth seats, power everything, IPOD, Bluetooth, and 10 year Warranty..... $23000