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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  If you drive it, youll buy it! - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Hands - May 7 - 10:00 am

  After 19 months and 16,000 miles the Tiburon still runs and rides like new. No problems and lots of looks and comments. Two of my friends bought them after seeing and driving mine and theyre just as happy. For the $$$ you absolutely cant go wrong. And now, as an added plus, resale on them is great! Only complaint is the paint...could be a lot tougher. Go for it!

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  Hyundai Pride of Ownership - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Paul J. Solis - May 7 - 10:00 am

  We own 3 Hyundais in my family, 2 of which are XG300Ls. Both my father and I are thrilled with the quality of this automobile. . We fell in love with this car on looks at first. Still to this day, we have several people approaching us to ask us about the car. Friends and strangers alike give good long stares at our vehicles. One of my purchasing considerations,was that the design had to be long lasting. Mission accomplished. Surely enough the new engine is more generous and has a much better take off from a stop. I am 25 years old and do find the ride a bit soft, but the quality and quietness of the ride is a better trade off.

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  Fantastic Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Farm - May 7 - 10:00 am

  This car would be great even if it cost more than it does. Driving it feels like you paid way too much, then you get to look at the price and congratulate yourself.

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  Second Sonata - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By dasnubbers - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased a new 2002 Sonata GLS V6 and I have to say, its the complete package. Everything we need and nothing we dont. We had traded our 2001 Sonata GLS V6 in for the new one. Just got sick and tired of hearing my wife say "look....theres a new Sonata" The new body style really sets it apart from previous models. We chose pearl white, with the beige interior, its a very pretty car.

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  Door Handles - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By yorkies5 - May 6 - 4:03 pm

  I have a 2010 Hyundai Sonata and it sucks. 3 of the car door handles have broken off in the last month. They will not pay for them. I have read other reviews and this is a on going problem. Hyundai tried to say they havent heard of this before. But I guess they havent read the reviews. I will never buy another on. my son has a 2008 and he has had many other problems. Alternator is only one of the problems he has had with him.

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  LAG is terrible and fuel mileage NOT even close - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Chaz - May 6 - 10:52 am

  The lag when you accelerate is not only annoying but DANGEROUS. Several times I have tried to pull out into traffic where I really needed to pick up speed quickly. Hit the gas and the car sits there for a few seconds.....and THEN darts out into traffic when you have another vehicle coming up on you. Also, forget about using the ECO or even regular setting. If you want any pep AT ALL, plan on having it in Sport mode all the time. And even then you arent getting much. Fuel economy not even close to what they say. The most I have gotten in city is 17 mpg and it has been as low as 12.....yes 12!!!! This will be my last Hyundai.

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  Former Ford Owner, New Hyundai Convert - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Walt - May 6 - 4:13 am

  This car handles and rides great, I have the V6 so it also is very responsive, while providing great gas mileage.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Robert Warner - May 5 - 11:20 pm

  I love the way this vehicle handles on the Interstates and the gas mileage is really good. Plenty of power and very quiet with almost no wind or road noise. I have used the 3rd row seats several times and had no complaints.

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  Great car for the money - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By J. Glaser - May 5 - 2:00 pm

  In less than 3 years i have put 60,000 miles on this car. I had a few issues in the begining with superficial maintenance, but overall this has been a fantastic car for the money. It has reasonable performance, great cargo space, stylish, and as I already said, economically priced.

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  Excellent car!!!! - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By kytim - May 5 - 12:57 pm

  I now have 17, 000 miles on my Sonata. It is a great performer. I have owned Hondas, Nissans, Chevys and Mazdas in the past. The Hyundais quality, ride and performance is equal and better than the competitors(in my opinion). I rent cars to save miles and I always enjoy coming home to my Sonata!!!