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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  an owner speaks out.... - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By delraylbh - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Found auto to be an excellent car for the money and would recommend. I usee as a second car and am not disapponited Slightly disappointed in the gas mileage around town whereby I expected more in the 22 to 24 range but receiving 18 to 20.

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  It works for me. - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kurt Moore - September 20 - 2:00 am

  this has been a dependable vehicle and never had a manufacturer so interested in the car working correctly. we enjoy driving it and find it quieter than the 99 Chrysler 300M we had. Not as peppy as would like and fuel economy should be better.

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  awsome car - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By sunsman - September 19 - 8:16 pm

  i owned a 2006 tiburon gt limited which was brand new i loved the thing the leather seats and the infinty radi with the subwoofer everything about the car was awsome then in january i got hit buy a mini van i just wanted to cry because there goes my drem car down the drain after that 4 month later i got hit by an old lady driving a buick man i wanted to cry so i dont have it now because of those accedents but as for enjoyment when i wasnt getting hit by other people was a 10 the car had verything i wanted but i dont have it anymore traded it in for a 2006 gmc canyon.lets just say this the car is a 10 all around and when i pay my truck off im sure ill get another tiburon

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  This is the best car ever. - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Agnes - September 19 - 6:16 pm

  I got to tell you three episodes. First, there was snow storm in New York 2005 Winter. This car was the only one which could go up in the corner of long island expressway. I was so impressed. Second, I had car accident in which the other car hit my car as right angle. Of course, a lot damage, however, I drove the car to the auto shop and it came back without any problem. Third, I moved to VA by myself with this car. I rent trailer twice and I moved small stuffs with this one. I was so amazed with the capacity.

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  Excellent - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Lori - September 19 - 11:50 am

  Terrific SUV! Great handling, very comfortable to drive, and looks good to boot. Gas mileage is good. I took it on a vacation and was very comfortable in it as was my 7 year old son.

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  XG350L - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By HDAWG - September 19 - 10:00 am

  My XG has been great!!! It has been wonderful on the road trips we take to Canada each year. We usually only go once a year, yet, we have made the trip 4 times since we got our XG last year. Not only did we get a great price from Fitzgerald Hyundai, we also have been contacted by their sales and service team regularly. Any time we have service done I feel as if I am really appreciated by their organization.

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  Amazing Space - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By tjkwest - September 18 - 9:03 pm

  On our first test drive I knew I liked this car a lot. The inside roominess was amazing. It felt l was in our Toyota Highlander. You just cant beat the value of this vehicle. Its truly fun to drive & has a lot more storage than meets the eye upon first inspection. The only thing missing is power adjustable seats. Otherwise its a great buy. I would highly recommend this SUV for anyone wanting a small to mid-size SUV without paying the mid-size price. I cant wait to take it on our first road trip!

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  Own 2 Velosters - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By piratenut - September 18 - 2:53 pm

  I drive a 2013 Turbo (had it 10 months) and my wife has a 2014 ReFlex (1 month). We love them both. The turbo is perfect for me. Driving in a "hill" city the turbo gives me the boost I enjoy. My wife is perfectly happy with the basic engine. Both get great mileage. We have already had them both on mountainous road trips of over 1000 miles. Both averaged over 36 mpg in such conditions (highway and towns). On a highway trip only hers got 42 mpg. As "seniors" we are enjoying the youthful styling of the car. Her ReFlex is a beauty with the extra chrome and the Ice Pearl color. The car is a great value for its price range. I suspect we will be repeat customers.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By roughacres - September 18 - 10:13 am

  We just bought the Tuscon and so far we love it. Smooth ride and the AC cools the car off in about a minute even in 100 degree weather. Fun to drive.

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  i love it - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By chmuraman - September 18 - 3:20 am

  i fell in love with this car before i even had the chance to drive it. i ordered the special edition and had to wait for it, and it was worth it. this is a fun car to drive, and banging through the tight 6spd manual makes you feel like you are in a much more expensive car. i have been asked many times what kind of car it was, and the reply is always "really? hyundai?? i though it was itallian." mine is black and i had custom wheels and the windows tinted. very sharp.