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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  Koreans catching up fast - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Nate Kubel - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Its great to find a car, made right, made tight and syled right; that doesnt eat you alive when you buy it. It is reminesent of what a trhrill it used to be to buy a Japanesse car. Id love to buy american, but the factory loves making money too much. I do bear in mind that the asians dont pay their employees royal wages like we do.

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  Change - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By BKW - September 26 - 10:00 am

  From changing out of a Honda Accord (4cylinder) into the 6 Cylinder Santa Fe is just no comparison. The Santa Fe outperforms the Accord in all areas. Ive never been more satisfied with a car, than I am with the Santa Fe.

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  the hyundai experience - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ameyer - September 26 - 10:00 am

  So far Great. It is a comfortable quiet ride with awesome pick up. It is not too big and not too small and the kids have so much room in the back. The DVD player in the headrests is so cool with the cordless headphones. The woodgrain that was installed just makes the car look so rich. Ive had lots of great comments about how great it looks. Mine is white and silver.

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  My very first Hyundai - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By sfcrod - September 25 - 8:57 pm

  I was looking for on a car: gas efficient (35mpg +), gasoline engine, no turbo, comfortable for 70 miles commute, daytime driving lights, auto on/off headlights, Bluetooth/music streaming with good sound, manual transmission, good warranty, affordable insurance, a different look and most important, a total package for the price. Tested several 2013 models in 4-door and 5-door configurations from all different auto companies; some great, and others not so. I wanted something different. Just when I was about to give up on my search, my wife suggested to test a Hyundai. I have several friends who own them, heard all the good and bad things about it, and yet never consider driving one myself.

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  The best SUV yet - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Pete - September 25 - 1:13 pm

  We tried every other SUV vehicle in its class (Honda, toyota, Saturn) and this SUV blew them all away. It is comfortable, good gas mileage (22-24, great to look at and is an all-around great buy. If you want a fantastic SUV, look no further this is it!!!

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  Absolutely great car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By JohnM. - September 25 - 12:20 am

  I have owned a lot of cars from a 99 Mustange Cobra to a 01 Lincoln LS V-8 and the 2006 Sonata V-6 is an awesome car! Handles great, good ride with 17" wheels/sport package, decent fuel mileage and a great looking car. When I brought the car home everybody asked what kind of a car is it. Grey interior is sharp with durable looking fabric. Instrument panel very informative and easy to read. Several of my neighbors are planning on purchasing one after driving mine. The only aftermarket item I put on the car was a rear spoiler that really set the bodystyle off. Overall the best vehicle I have owned ever.

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  Cant get into my car - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By E F - September 24 - 6:36 pm

  Two of my door handles just fell off in a one month period, rear driver side and front passenger doors, pretty soon I wont be able to enter my car. Hyundai told me get it fixed and they will decide if or what they will pay after I submit the receipt. This is a quality of material and workmanship issue. I have a 2010 sonata, until this I was extremely satisfied with my vehicle. Not very happy with their customer service.

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  Victoria - 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Canada - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I just trade my 2010 Nissan sentra for 2011 elantra touring. After experience the poor quality of the sentra specially the CVT whats a joke. After all. I picked the et. Its a simple mechanical design power train, less electrical wiring, fewer sensors. Less trouble for sure. Power is plenty for my ( I am not a racer ) smart design for useful space. The car is solid build. It handles so well at all speed. I would recommend it to any one. Good price and high quality overall.

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  Love my new Tucson - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Michelle Silva - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I love my Tucson. I is very comfortable, have many features, very easy to control the Ipod, radio, etc The gas mileage is not as good as I expected, 22 MPG average and I mostly drive on the highway.

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  Sweet car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Barb - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Owned car for 4 months now love it everyday,travel 80 miles a day to work love the gas mi ledge,have 11,000 miles on it and no troubles. One bad downfall paint seems to be real soft, chips real easy, maybe dealer will address this. Otherwise great car for your money, happy motoring.