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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  Sonata 2002 GLS - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By trepach - June 13 - 2:00 am

  Surprice... Buying this car for under 20000 $ with all that extras and V6 engine is really best decision u can do...

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  Style, Comfort, Reliability - 2012 Hyundai Azera
  By M Mandle - June 12 - 9:46 am

  5+ years, 50K miles. Still runs great, rides comfortably, and very low maintenance. Main issue after 5 years of ownership - the technology changes that have occurred in the auto industry since 2012 are significant.....This will make someone a great used car when I trade up.

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  A Great Car - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jsnowe - June 11 - 2:00 am

  It drives like a dream, smooth & Quiet very low road noise (I can actually hear the radio when traveling on the highway, something that I could not do with my Honda Accord. Adequate horsepower( 6 cylinder) whereas my Honda was severely underpowered.

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  Sonata99 - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By frankrd - June 11 - 2:00 am

  It was the need for a new vehicle soon, and the new warranty that seemed too good to pass up that led me to Hyundai. It was the styling, and all that was included that confirmed my purchase. There have been no real problems with the vehicle. Air bag light, keyless entry and stereo have all been fixed or replaced under warranty.

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  PERFORMANCE - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By JAKE D - June 11 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT PERFORMING CAR COULD USE SOME MORE HEAD ROOM FOR TALLER PEOPLE BUT STILL WILL OUTPERFORM MANY CARS IN ITS CLASS..

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  Complete surprise - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By geeno - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Never wanted a SUV. Wife saw the Santa Fe and said it was a nice looking car. Went to the dealer and after driving it, was impressed with the comfort, ride, and quality, not to mention the warranty. Bought it on the spot to replace my station wagon. Both of us are extremely satisfied after 8000 miles. Dealer is great.

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  What a car! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By wadeboshiverson - June 10 - 8:33 am

  At first glance of the stylish exterior you would think that the Genesis coupe is an upscale Italian designed wonder for the super rich. The car is much more stylish and classy looking in black and white but for the "younger" generation the bright colors make it look extremely young and fresh. I personally love the black and white color choices as well as nixing the spoiler option. The cabin is a lovely place to be and is very quiet and livable with automatic climate, leather and touch screen navigation. The automatic is wonderful as well and the sound of the exhaust is intoxicating willing the driver to push the accelerator down. Steering feel is excellent. Bottom line a driving pleasure!

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  Slammin New Car - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By darkebo - June 10 - 1:06 am

  I researched for about 9 months and then the Tucson came out in Oct. I special ordered my car and got it right before Christmas. It has many features that you would find on a much more expensive car, and I looked at them all, I used to own a Grand Vatari which seems like a play car now. I love the quiet and smooth ride of the Tucson. I also like that people in the back seat have plenty of room for their legs and I can still load it up with everything imaginable from Home Depot. Very nice car wioth impressive standard features, I added a sunroof and let me tell you those heated seats are great on these cold winter days. Steering is very nimble and quick. Over all, a slammin car!

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  Amazing little machine - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By giotis92 - June 10 - 12:46 am

  Well I came to the states after done with high school in europe and my uncle gave me this car! I did not think of much at the time but it has captured my heart as i said amazing car even though way underestimated!! I do not want to give this car away ever!!

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  Its a Hit! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By ess2 - June 8 - 7:30 pm

  Hyundai rolled all the great features I was looking for from competiors SUVs into the Tucson. I love mine and everything about it. Lots of zip too!