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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  So far an excellent vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chris - March 7 - 4:16 am

  We have driven Hondas and Toyotas for years, but when it came time to replace a 1993 Accord, we drove the "97" Accord, several Toyotas but kept going back to look at the Sonata. In the end we went for the Sonata because of the value for the dollar. Warranty, options and it just feels like a secure car. Fit and finish are on par with Honda and Toyota. The 4 cylinder is more than adequate for day-to-day driving and road trips with a family of four. Our first trip on the interstate with 3k on the engine still averaged 30 mpg. Not bad for a fresh engine. The final test will be to see how it handles a winter in the upper-midwest...

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  2006 hyundai azera limited - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By bernard n.edwards - March 6 - 7:26 pm

  we have had our azera almost a year now and it continues to impress and we are very proud of our azera and the car is simply awsome and is a car which has extremely high quality and i would put it up to cars that costs 50,000 dollar,and a great unmatched warrenty,and safety values and the price is truely a great value.we also own a 2007 sonata limited and wow another great car.hyundai rules in our house because they simply make the best cars and offers far more than any one else.

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  Very Nice Car - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Don - March 6 - 5:03 pm

  We test drove Toyota Avalons, Honda Accords and other cars but once we drove the Genesis, nothing else compared in the price range. This is a very solid, well built, car. Very quiet on the road, good handling and good acceleration. Great warranty. I have owned Hondas, Toyotas and Lexus in the past. So far, this is my favorite car.

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  SUV owner downsizes for fuel economy - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By narek - March 6 - 3:13 pm

  Ive had my Elantra SE about 1,100 miles now. I was looking for a smaller, more fuel efficient car to replace my large SUV. Comparing many models in the mid-size sedan category, the Elantra always came out on top. I was particularly drawn to the SE model for the standard Electronic Stability Control. Safety in a smaller car was a big concern, having always driven a large van or SUV. The ESC answered that concern. The adjustment from driving a large SUV to the Elantra took no time at all. The seats are comfortable and it handles like a dream. Road noise is almost nonexistent. My 6ft+ husband and son both fit comfortably in the front and back seats. I have no regrets. I love my car!

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  Bang on.... - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mike159 - March 6 - 6:45 am

  This is my 1st Hyundai and Suv. The ride is much better than I expected and have not had any problems with the blind spot, its just a matter of paying attention on the road. Engine repsonse is going to take awhile to get used to since coming from an Accord. Not a fan yet of the eco drive, seems to shift out way too soon. Interior quality is beyond expected and more sporty,rugged than the 2012 model. Love the leather, love it. I can already see the matte finish on the dash and door panels is going to show grease from fingers, I keep a mico towel handy. With 1,100 miles, so far Im pleased with the purchase, and Im a tuff customer to please.

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  My Sonata 2000 - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By larrylo99 - March 6 - 2:00 am

  I dont believe I have had a bad experience with this car.

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  Classy Efficient Car - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Melinda Lane - March 5 - 1:10 pm

  I love this car! You get all the extras for thousands less than Toyota or Honda.The heated leather seats & climate control are very nice. I sold a Jeep Grand Laredo for the Sonata and it was the best decission I ever made. Drives like a dream and gets 24mph locally and averages 31mph on the highway. It has more room than the Honda or Camry as well. This car is definetely a keeper

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  ITS GRRRREAT - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By schoolpig - March 5 - 5:56 am

  Definite three steps up from my XG350l.

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  Safety and Price Were Our Main Concerns - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kerry Brown - March 3 - 8:06 pm

  We purchased our 2007 Santa Fe after several weeks of near obsessive on-line research. With two teen drivers, safety was our number one priority. The Santa Fe offers front, side and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control all standard. It also weighs more than many of its competitors. (It is a Top Pick for safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.) Price/Value was equally imortant to us. The CRV and RAV4, lacked many of the amenities that are standard on the Santa Fe and cant compare on the warranty and yet are priced thousands of dollars higher. We also happen to like the look of the newly designed Santa Fe so our decision was made.

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  FUN COUPE - GREAT VALUE - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By C Bishop - March 3 - 7:03 am

  Great handling car for the price.Very reliable and great looks. I would definitely buy another one in the future. It has an interior that doesnt need to be restyled for years to come.