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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  Great Value - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Greg Bender - August 15 - 1:15 am

  This car has been all we were hoping it would be and more. The 2 years we have driven this car it has only required one dealer visit, the chrome peeled off the interior door handles so they were replaced no questioned asked. The car rides great and the performance of the V6 is more then adequate. We will be looking to replace this vehicle soon and are leaning towards a small SUV from Hyundai or Kia because of this cars quality and affordability.

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  Great Car & Fun to Drive - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Great Car - August 15 - 12:49 am

  Have had the car since it had 15,300 miles on it and now have 98,600 and it runs absolutely great. Took a 425 mile trip and got there on 9.967 gallons of gas!!! THATS 42.6 MPG!!! Way better milage than the sticker suggests! Looking at an 05 to replace it sometime in the future.

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  Great Buy - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By HappyXGOwner - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Top value for the money. Outclasses luxury cars costing thousands more. Terrific gas mileage.

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  My mid life crisis car... - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By NawlinsRed - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I shopped around for similar sports style cars...The Tiburon looked better, and handled better than similar cars that were priced at almost twice the cost!! Combine that with the 100K warranty, and it was too good to pass up! And now that my children are grown, I can get a sportier car for me...People stop me at traffic lights and ask what kind of car it is...It is really a fun car to drive!!

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  2004 XG350 Best Yet - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By RRL3 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2003 Sonata last year and liked it so much that I decided to trade up to the 2004 XG350L. The car is the best value out there and the ride, amenities and finish of the car are excellent. I would recommend the car to anyone looking for a luxury sedan without the luxury price!

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  My favorite little car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Texas Bill - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this little car in Sep 2001, to date have put over 30000 miles on it. Gas mileage is consistently over 30 mpg (due to a 100 mile a day commute). The comfort and performance are excellent for its class. I regularly recommend it to friends, two of whom have bought Hyundai products. I regularly get comments on its styling and questions about reliability and economy of operation. Im 65 years old, and would willingly buy another Hyundai Elantra.

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  Great Value - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By w4708 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Hyundai Santa Fe 2004 ! The overall size and weight of the vehicle is very convenient and comfortable and has a "safe" feeling, and ease in driving. It is exactly what I was shopping for and so far no problems. For my needs, just about perfect. Have not had "service" needs yet so I cannot rate that.

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  Love it! - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By snance - August 14 - 5:10 am

  Just bought the Santa Fe and I love it! It was down to this or the CRV. I have owned Hondas for the last 25 yrs. Hyundai won! Much more luxurious feel. Drives like it is floating and excellent value!

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  Great Car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By RSurber - August 13 - 10:27 pm

  I have had this car for 5 years and its still running great. I have driven it from AZ to CO twice and have not had a problem with it. I use it as a commuter car now because it is soo great on gas.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sean Smith - August 13 - 7:21 pm