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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  Our Santa Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RickD - October 24 - 10:00 am

  It was time to buy the wife a new vehicle and she suggested the Santa Fe. I wasnt to happy about buying a Hyundai, but to keep her happy we went to the Hyundai dealer to take a look. I test drove the LX 3.5 AWD and was very impressed. I also drove the 2.7 FWD, but decided the 3.5 AWD was the way to go. This vehicle gives you more bang for your buck than any of the other vehicles we looked at. Just to let you know how much I liked this vehicle, 3 weeks after we took delivery on my wifes Santa Fe, I went out and purchased one for myself. Identical vehicles, but hers has a moonroof and mine doesnt, and of course we have different colors.

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  Hyundai kicks butt - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By JerBer - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I was doing a lot of research and comparisons and the Hyundai wasnt even in my search critiria, but kept coming up. So, I decided to give it a chance because my brother-in-law has one and loves it. I test drove it and immediatley was so impressed with the car that everything else pailed in comparison. The ride is firm and smooth, while being quiet and secure. The interior (dare I say it)is Toyota- like. The handling is precise and the engine is peppy. The care deserves to be looked at and not snubbed. Luckily, I changed my attitude and was rewarded nicely!!!

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  Great car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By GJH - October 22 - 10:00 am

  I dont know why Hyundai has kept this car a secret. Its a great all purpose car, lot of room for my sporting gear; my dog loves it. Hwy cruising gets in the low 30s and even stop and go suburban driving is around 28 mpg. Wheelbase is longer than the sedan, it is a nice thruway cruiser. Only complaint is the reverse lockout on the manual -- its a pull up type, Id rather just have a gear position. Ive had my Elantra Touring 1 1/2 yrs with zero problems. Im always recommending to folks looking for a great price with lots of features, and lots of utility.

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  Supercruise Sonata! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kilibreaux - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Owned a month now, driven on average 50 miles a day. Startling gas mileage. Registered 51 mpg at 55 mpg Cruise off. Averages 37+mpg at 75! Acceleration is outstanding! Entering freeway dedicated "throttle up" results in very rapid acceleration beyond normal freeway speeds without effort. By no means a "powerhouse" muscle car, this sonata evokes a sensation of an efficient modern fighter jet capable of near effortless "supercruise" 90-100 mph (easy) at which point steering feedback really becomes near perfect.

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  This car = money - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By dc23 - October 22 - 2:14 am

  Bottom line over half my car payment is going to be made by the money I am saving on gasoline. I have gone from driving a truck that gets 15mpg on its best day to a car that I can see is getting 38mpg in the city and over 40mpg on my 25mile trip home from work. I am extremely pleased with the handling. It has a smooth transition from electric to gas engine. Most of the time I dont even know it happened. I did go with the leather package and I am extremely pleased with the interior design. Plenty of room, and stylish. The exterior design is great as well with a cool set of lights. I would love to have a different set of wheels but that is avail. for a little more money. Very satisfied!

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  Good economical car - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Dave - October 21 - 4:06 pm

  Small car, but good headroom, legroom, overall comfort. Economical to own and drive. Would happily buy another.

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  The best car I ever owned - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By wes0922 - October 21 - 2:26 pm

  I owned Cadillac since 1966 and wanted to buy American but driving the two cars the Genesis was head and shoulders. I also drove Lexus and Lincoln. This is a well designed and built car.

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  Used to have a RAV4 - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Elle - October 21 - 10:06 am

  Traded my RAV4 in for the Tuscon because of all the added features on the Tuscon, the warranty, and the great things I had heard from friends about Hyundai. I love it. Its a solid SUV, perfect size for travel & carrying. Very roomy. Great handling. I really like the V6 which may not be as peppy as some but perfect for driving to & from CA on the 15 which has some crazy drivers.

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  All this for how much?!? - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Daniel - October 21 - 1:56 am

  The 2006 Hyundai Sonata is a great car, it is the best car for the money. My wife and I traded in our 2003 Mazda 6i which cost the same amount when we purchased it, but came with a lot less standard equipment, less quality and a lot less power (4cyl vs v-6)!

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  This Car Rocks ^_^ - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Slayer1982 - October 21 - 12:43 am

  This car is truly amazing! It gets really good gas millage. I got 400 miles out of the first tank and only put 12.125 gallons of gas in it!!! The price you pay for the millage is the power. While this car isnt anywhere NEAR powerful for a sports car(138 hp/136 ft-lbs) it does get around ok and can keep up with traffic without needing to red line every gear. The styling both inside and out is great. Everything is easy to reach. Its super comfortable to ride in and takes corners like a pro. Overall, this is a great car, Good bang for the buck and really fun on the back roads. All this for only 18 K!!! You cant go wrong. :D