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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  Hyundai Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By mike grissom - July 12 - 2:03 pm

  Doubts about buying but test drive awesome. Handles very well, extremely tight on curves and hills. Only drawback too much road noise, but overall one of best cars Ive owned. Interior arrangement of dials and controls very easy to learn and operate. Big Surprise - gets advertised 30mpg!!! And 4 cylinder with 5 speed auto - cannot tell difference from small v-6, especially on hills.

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  Great buy! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By hi - July 12 - 5:01 am

  Very pleased with the car, smooth driving and good power. Very well equiped for the price.

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  Have You Driven a Hyundai...lately? - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dan - July 11 - 6:16 pm

  Never thinking that I would ever set foot into a Hyundai dealership, I was convinced to do so by my wife who stopped in and drove a 2008 Sonata. After doing so myself (home security), the sales person suggested I test drive the 2009. Even though the 2008 was an incredible bargain, I absolutely fell in love with the 2009. The ride, fit and finish, attractive looks and terrific warranty convinced me that the 2009 Sonata deserved my hard earned dollars. Only driving this absolute winner of a car for two months,but I am thrilled with it. The best vehicle with the best warranty on the market. Well done Hyundai. Only complaint is that the navigation system is yet to be offered in Canadian Sonatas.

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  Makes a long commute a joy - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By ShoNuff - July 11 - 4:40 pm

  This is my first luxury vehicle, just coming out of a 96 Maxima SE. Test drove the 2009 Maxima, 2008 Acura TL, and the Genesis. The Genesis outclassed them all, so I ended up buying a V6 w/Tech Package. The features on this car are an incredible value even though I still shudder when I think about how much higher my loan is on this car. Great ride - kind of similar to my fathers 2001 BMW 528i, but more smooth overall. Definitely not as mushy as a Lexus, but not as punishing as a Beemer. Great looking car, too - Ive gotten a lot of rave reviews of the cars looks and disbelief when I tell them "Its a Hyundai." All-around excellent car.

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  Best car I have owned to date - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By k2kes - July 10 - 7:43 pm

  I traded in a Ford Escape with 30000 miles on it for the 2004 Santa Fe. I got tired of Fords expensive service practices and terrible warranty...and the great warranty on the Hyundai sure beats Fords...

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  Excellent value! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By bearcat - July 9 - 10:55 pm

  I got this car for ~$10000, and I cannot believe the features I have got for that price! Ive got AC, power everything, excellent ride quality, great warranty. Never had a problem since I bought it, no adjustments no hassles at all. However I have been told that there is a recall for some airbag issue. I have not found another car with the same features and reliability at this price.

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  love this vehicle - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Linda - July 9 - 10:23 pm

  I purchased this vehicle mainly due to the warranty and reliability. I also have a 2004 Sonata and have had no problems.This is a fun vehicle to drive with enough room for hauling. I love all of the features and strongly recommend it.

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  Great SUV! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By M. L. Hudgens - July 9 - 7:13 pm

  I purchased the Tucson in July and I love it. In March, I purchased a Santa Fe but I wanted a smaller SUV. So, I traded it in and bought the Tucson. I really love it - performance, style, interior and exterior. However, an eighteen year old smashed into the SUV the first week of August. I am still waiting to get my SUV back. The SUV smashed very, very easily and the person was going 15 or 20 mph when he hit me. He smashed my door, side fender, and the SUV has suspension damage. It is now Sept. and I am hoping to get the SUV back before the end of the month. It appears that parts are hard to find.

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  I Absolutely Loved my Tuscon!!! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By slp12 - July 9 - 6:41 pm

  Comfortable, smooth ride for myself and passengers. My elderly parents get in and out easily. Love the design and have always enjoyed driving it. The fold-down seats lay flat and Ive used this vehicle as much like a truck as I have a car. Large items load easily in the back, and the clips on the back seats are great to keep groceries bags in place. Cup holders for everyone. But best of all is its safety. I was reacently broadsided by another driver. The force of the hit was extensive, but the vehicle did was it was designed to do: keep me as safe as possible. Im plan to get another Tuscon...just not satisfied with anything else out there...Ive looked but cant find a comparable.

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  1st one - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By mjm2 - July 9 - 8:20 am

  This is the bang for the buck car I have ever owned. Prime rib car for for a ground round price.