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 Car - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Nick - May 11 - 2:54 pm

  Good car more power than expected.

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  great car. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kenny - May 10 - 10:20 pm

  I bought my GLS 4 cylinder with a 5A transmission last July and havent had a mechanical problem with it since. the dash looks beautiful with a nice LED blue lighting. the audio system is great with cool features such as ipod and USB integration. Electronic Stability Control comes standard on all models, and one can turn it on and off. ESB only comes available on higher level Camrys and it is always on. I can go about 450 miles on one tank of gas. Overall, for the money, I couldnt be happier.

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  My Sonata ltd - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ron garretsen - May 10 - 7:13 pm

  This is a great car, comparable to upscale toyota camry or honda accord but about $10K less. My model is the limited, nicely appointed in leather, etc. Has advanced features, very peppy 3.3 (246 HP) litre engine, and in fact is a large car compared to its class, has great legroom and trunk space. Sound system is Infinity 6 CD changer, premium speakers, etc. Have 2,000 miles on it now, gets a true 25 MPG combined city and highway. It is a great value compared to vehicles in this segment costing thousands more.

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  simply thrilled ... - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By calgarydriver - May 10 - 5:10 pm

  The Genesis Coupe is a great little car and Im having a ball with it. Ive driven big Chryslers, Buicks and Cadillacs for the last 30 years. In many ways driving this Coupe feels like driving my early rides; 66 Tbird, 69 Cyclone and 74 Mach 1 ... eye-catching style and eye-popping performance.

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  Affordable, reliable - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By PTamburro - May 10 - 8:38 am

  Bought it new for $14,000 very quiet ride, very comfortable, good acceleration,love the cruise control with the standard tranmission. Interior nicely designed, leg room in the back.

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  Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By racer - May 9 - 3:28 pm

  It is very reliable. It has a great warranty and roadside assistance. Great value for price. Fully equiped Elantra with sunroof out the door for $12,700.

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  Very Pleased - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By cbenji - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with the XG300. I have plenty of room for passengers and lots of luggage space. It handles very well and feels like a luxury car without the luxury price.

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  Love the car! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Moore - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Id put it up against the Acura, the smaller Lexuses, or the Infinity I 35. I looked at a lot of cars before I test drove the 2001 300L. I went to look at it on a lark. Took it out for a test drive and decided to buy it after driving it no more than 50 yrds. or so. I cant wait to buy my new one this October! Its the best kept secret in the automotive industry! Are they selling it below cost, or is everyone else selling theirs over cost?

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  awesome car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By cajuncrew - May 9 - 2:00 am

  this car is alot of fun to drive ...it shifts very smooth, it gets great gas milage, the forth hyundai in the family...2 elantras one xg300 and noe this sonata.....

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  The only thing!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By catastrophe - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is very nice. I was very surprised at the comfort of this car. It handles very nicely, even in very windy weather!! Handles well in the snow and rain.