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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  My new Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By katiesmom - June 21 - 7:50 pm

  Heated seats, moon roof, leather seats, 6-CD player, defroster for side mirrors, and numerous other options. This SUV has it all! Throw in the smooth ride, fast acceleration, excellent visibility, and you have a wonderful family vehicle that is also fun to drive. With electronic 4-WD this puppy is going to do some serious travel.

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  Great car, great price - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Kristy - June 20 - 5:46 am

  I just got the new Tucson. I bought the Santa Fe last year and I just traded it in for the Tucson. Not only is it more sportier looking, the safety is much better. I have 2 kids and I picked the Tucson knowing that it is a much safer vehicle than the Santa Fe. Hyundais are great cars, dont get me wrong, but you cant beat the Tucson.

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  Black Beauty - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bran Da Man - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I have a black elantra with a spoiler shes beautiful. She is so fun to drive and when I tell you I drive her I drive her hard. I pit her against mustangs and Cmaros and Vetts (although I have been laughed at numerous occasions, Its still fun. But I have no problem smokin civics with v-tech. The only real problems I had with her is that I had to get 3 new alternators and a new spark plug. I hooked up all sorts of audio equipment to the battery and thats when my alternators started going. Other than that she is a very reliable car.

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  Put $$$ wher their mouth was - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By ramjet142 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2001 demo model with am/fm cd player,4 speed automatic,power moon- roof & 11335 miles for $11995.After 1.5 hrs at dealer I drove home with vehicle Highly impressed with pep & performance Rides like its on rails at higher speeds(above 70 mph)and is very smooth below 70 mph & brakes on a dime.Several people have commented it looks Jaguarish Fantastic warranty will take care of any snafus. Fuel economy is lower than manufacturers quote(20 mpg avg.)but I drive mostly city miles with a lead foot.Stock am/fm cd player & speakers thump pretty well.Overall,I dont think you can get better quality&performance for the buck.

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  CamCorders, youre missing out. - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Matt - June 20 - 1:50 am

  If you drive a Camry or Accord, Im sorry. You shouldve tried the Sonata. If you had, you would be driving it. So much fun to drive, and its still fun even when speeds are of the legal variety. Love the MP3 player on the stereo, cruise on/off on the wheel. Make sure to check proper inflation of the tires, particularly if you have the sport package with 17" rims as I do. They dont always arrive properly inflated and that factor can affect the ride. Great car, for any money. For Hyundai money, its a dream!

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  Love this car!!! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Matt - June 20 - 12:00 am

  I have owned this car for just over a month now. It is my first new car in 10 years. I love the way it handles and the V6 power is just right. The limited has so many features included that you pay for in other models. I love the sound system (upgraded with the Limited package).

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  best buy - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By buffalo - June 19 - 2:46 pm

  Great car - looks really well made. Only minor observation the suspension could be stiffened. Happy I bought it.

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  Awesome - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Uneek - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I get compliments on it EVERYWHERE I go EVERDAY! Im not exaggerating.

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  good - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By southrnmn - June 19 - 10:00 am

  i read about the tiburon in a consumer report, i had owned a mitsubishi eclipse, and found out that the transmissions go bad in them and , then they wanted over 10, 000 more for thwe eclipse then for the tiburon, and i believe the tiburon is a better car anyways

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  the perfect 10 - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By nata456 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  when a car exceeds your expectations, you win. definitely, best deal in the elantra lineup is the gt. for a few extra dollars, you get a whole lot more car.