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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  poor mans jaguar - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By lartross - August 22 - 9:44 pm

  We bought this car for the wife to tool around in. We use it for all family outings and shopping. It is comfortable around town, quite peppy and delivers acceptable economy [around 27 mpg].The interior is beautiful and easy to keep up. The stereo system is very good. The seats are a little too firm on long rides [8 hours or more] It has been an excellent car for the 20,000 miles weve had it with no problems.

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  A mixed bag - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By dagrabe1 - August 22 - 7:23 pm

  Weve been driving this vehicle now for 9 months. My wife loves it (it is primarily her car) but Im not so sure. What I like: An incredibly short turning radius. The look of the vehicle, both inside and out. All of the extras at a reasonable price (heated leather seats, bluetooth, etc). What I dont like: The ride is really rough, much rougher than my Nissan Maxima or even my beat up old pickup. You will feel every bump on the road. Most annoying: The gas mileage weve been getting isnt even close to the EPA rating. Low teens in town, low 20s on the highway. I dont drive like a maniac (anymore). If I pushed it hard Id hate to think how bad the mpg would be...

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  This IS IT!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Tommy - August 22 - 6:33 am

  When Hyundai built this one, the CEO of Hyundai ordered Hyundai motor vehicle division to create a model that will beat specifically the Lexus ES330 to continue their main goal to beat Americas number one selling car company. After taking a test drive, this vehicle really convinced me to purchase. I realized that theyve done it!! It was out performing other Japanese or German rivals at its class. Its cabin was quite as a Mercedes S class. An out standing vehicle from Hyundai!!! What they were saying on TV ads were TRUE.

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  Best value overall in mid-size SUVs - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ben - August 22 - 4:03 am

  This is my 2nd Hyundai. Traded up from an Elantra, which I loved, so when I needed a larger vehicle, the Santa Fe was my first choice. For a mid-size SUV, the price is low, the fuel economy is decent, and the warranty and overall quality are outstanding. I find the best fuel economy is about 65-70mph, keeping the RPMs below 3000. Recently moved from FL to CA with my family, 2 pets, and a trunk full of clothes & supplies, with no problems at all. Handled pretty good when I hit the remnants of a blizzard in the midwest. Acceleration is a little slow, but once it gets going, it runs real smooth. Seeing so many other Santa Fes on the road makes me feel good about the choice I made

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  So Far very Happy! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mikeodean - August 22 - 3:26 am

  Suv is Fun to Drive .Cant wait until engine is broken in, so we can really drive it!

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  Sonata SE 2012 - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By chise - August 21 - 4:02 pm

  Sonata model, in general, is really nice. Exterior as well as interior design are probably one of the best out there for the sedans. SE has a bit more aesthetic aspects than the GLS (chrome grills, door handles, dual exhausts, tire, etc). The comfort level of SE is sub par. Noise level during the ride is also quite annoying. These are due to the sporty suspension and less-cushion tires, but they shouldnt be the excuses for these crucial aspects of the car. If you can live up with this, its an amazing car. If you think you and your family rather like a quieter and comfortable car, go with GLS or Limited. I thought the SE wouldnt have much of a difference, but it really does.

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  ride cheap with style - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By keen - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive and cheap to buy. I hope this car will last long past the warranty. Over the past three years I have found this car to be reliable, responsive, and believe it or not a head turner. The four cyl. is a little under powered but they fixed that in 2003 with the avail. 6 cyl. The body style is a classic in my opinion.

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  The Shark is Worth the Price - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By janasliltoy - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I got the totally decked out Ultrasport 3 pkg. The car runs along side stock Mustang V8s. People love the car and it gets looks. The 170hp somehow rockets this 3000lb car to 60 in about 7 flat. Definatly suprising. Warranty is great and they are easy to work with.

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  a awesome car for the money - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By john - August 21 - 10:00 am

  this was a good car for the money

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  other than mpg, a good car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By hegls - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Its been about 11 months that Ive had this car now, and its survived plenty of city commuting and a cross- country road trip admirably. Generally, a very good car in both contexts. Surprisingly comfortable for a small car with a 63" driver...even on longer road trips. A little noisy at high speeds. Handles well.