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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  Best Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Debe - April 16 - 12:50 am

  Ive only had the Sonata SE a few weeks now and I am very impressed with the overall value of my purchase. I just dont think there is a better value on the road today.

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  Top Contender - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By top contender - April 15 - 8:26 am

  After extensive research, I purchased the Sonata Limited 2011 (no nav) because of its style, reputation, ratings and price. The 4 cylinder engine provides more than adequate power and gives excellent fuel economy while still remaining quiet under nearly all driving conditions. I owned/drove toyotas, accords, a 325 bmw and others and this Sonata (so far) is better than those cars with better styling and a better price. The cabin is comfortable,roomy and quiet (Im 64")and the Limited gives you all the bells and whistles anyone could need. Over rough road surfaces, you will feel some of those bumps more like an Accord but generally the ride is surprisely smooth and quiet. Check this car out.

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  You get what you pay for.... beware - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Buyer beware - April 14 - 10:20 pm

  I bought this car looking for a reliable vehicle with a good warranty and a useful design. I thought that with a 5yr/60000 & 10yr/100000 warranty that Hyundai was confident in their product. I was wrong. At 61000 miles the radiator blew at 70mph - resulting in an engine overheat and SEVERE engine damage (needs a new engine) Hyundai will not honor the powertrain warranty if damage is caused by an unwarranted part (the 1000 mile over warranty radiator). Its in the fine print on most powertrain warranties. Hyundai has accepted no responsibility or offered any apologies for their cheap Korean part (radiator). You get what you pay for - sell it before it goes off warranty!!

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ragtime Lady - April 14 - 7:29 pm

  Great Car! Runs great with room to spare. We bought it for the warranty but so far we have not used it. Maybe one of these days Hyundai will retain their resale values like the Hondas. The depreciation of the vehicle is the only set back and it isnt justified.

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  Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mike - April 14 - 7:16 pm

  I just traded in the Elantra for the Santa Fe and I love it. Great in bad weather.

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  Bills Review - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bills Hyundai Santa - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I think this is one of the best little SUVs we could have purchased. Everything is set up for the driver and passenger. Its comfortable to drive for long distances and the road noise is non-existent. I am very impressed. I will be buying another one for myself, so my wife can have hers back. I took my parents down and they also bought one.

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  WOW - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By My 1st - April 13 - 8:39 pm

  This is my first Hyundai. Matter of fact my first car (Ive always driven trucks). I love it!

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  little red corvet (not really) - 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By judith stockli - April 13 - 10:52 am

  so far I really like it, I just bought it so I cant really say a whole let yet!

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  This is a winner - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vinnie D - April 13 - 5:46 am

  Everyone wants to know who made it! This car has the looks the se has all the features I wanted, love the navigation and blue tooth and XM radio this car is an all around 10

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  Finally a good car. - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By oldsarge II - April 12 - 7:16 pm

  Liked it from the second I sat in it at the dealership. My first longish trip was to Phoenix in June of 2006 (very hot) mileage averaged 28.8 mpg. starts every time plenty of acceleration (I live in central valley of California). I use the car for everything, totally versatile. Last longish trip was to Reno June of 2009, mileage averaged again 28.8. Note to all owners, Change oil regularly, make sure you change the air cleaner at or before the listed time, keep tires up, and be sure your oldest son is a working auto mechanic. prev.cars were Nash, Pontiac, Chevy, Toyota,Nissan X- 2,and a ,46 Bug in Europe. This one is the best.