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 for the $ - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Danigo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Great price for all the included feature Nice sporti looks

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  1,000 miles later... - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By oh so happy - August 28 - 10:00 am

  What a gem-I looked for 3 months- researching cars-Hondas, Toyota...(I thought that would be the ONLY car I would ever buy). I noticed an Elantra GT on the highway-was very curious-and started to research. After the test drive I was hooked...Fabulous car...Highly recommend!

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  What a "steal" - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By El Don - August 28 - 3:40 am

  After test driving the Camry and Accord, I was unable to find a $5,000. difference. I found the Sonata to be equal in most comparable aspects except perhaps mileage (17.26 mpg in city). I feel after purchasing my Sonata for $19,761. I can buy a lot of gas with the savings. The luxurious interior incl. leather, auto driver seat, multi use rear view mirror, arm rest console, automatic power door locks (need to be activated) and a HUGE trunk are my first impressions. Hyundais superior warranty is great for me and those who like to keep their cars a long time.

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  better than the accord or camry - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By springer - August 28 - 3:40 am

  I am very impressed with this vehicle. It sells better than any other vehicle at our dealership at Enterprise Car Sales in Midvale, Utah. I researched this car for 8 months before making a purchase and I am very happy with my decision. It rates better than the accord or camry. 2006 is the first time this has ever happened!

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  Awesome - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tony Areias - August 28 - 1:20 am

  Hyundai has really become one of the best auto manufacturers in the world

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  Getting ready to buy another one. - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Larry Rubrich - August 26 - 10:34 am

  Best new car I ever owned!

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  happy I purchased my XG350 owner - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By anthony bartolomeo - August 26 - 6:46 am

  I purchased my Hyundai XG 350L 9 months ago. I couldn`t be happier. I have driven fords, chevys and I own a Toyota Tacoma as a second vehicle so I cannot compare a truck to a car. I have read some reviews about handling and they gave low marks in this category. I suppose if you expect a sports car feel this is not the car for you. On the other hand if you are looking for quiet smooth handling this is the car for you. The power seats could have a couple of more position and a little more cushion for your backside. The interior and exterior can turn heads. I have had several people very surprised when they learned my car was a Hyundai.If your looking for a better buy don` go any further than XG350L

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  Cant Beat it for the $$$ - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Budgetman - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my LX a week ago and I love it. I looked at Accords and Camrys but for $5K less I got a vehicle as good or better than those. The car is a pleasure to drive and the dealership is the best new car experience Ive ever had.

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  Love this SUV!!!!!! - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By steflova - August 25 - 4:27 am

  With a baby on the way I had to finally step up to the plate and buy an SUV. My funds are limited but I wanted something fun. I was at the local Hyundai dealer and saw a used 2011 Tucson. To my surprise it was a 5 speed MANUAL. Just to see I took it for a test drive. I was impressed! It was actually quite fun to drive! I ended up buying it on the spot. Mind you I have a Sentra SE-R and a Miata so Im a performance enthusiast. The looks and feel of the Tucson is great. Driving "normal" to work I average about 30 mpg. Not bad at all. (Side note: I removed the Hyundai and Tucson badges and purchased some ix35 badges from Korea and now I get LOTS of questions about the car!)

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  Hyundai like Sunday - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By konosur - August 25 - 12:44 am

  After looking for a car that was reliable AND stylish I found no better sedan than the Hyundai Sonata. I have owned toyota camry and nissan maxima in the past. I bought it new in Dec. 10 and have put 14k miles on it so far. No issues, just oil changes. My favorite things about the car is its sporty feel, sexy styling, roomy interior. It is super smooth and quiet on a smooth road, but a little rough on a rough road. Overall, the build feels luxurious and more similar to entry-level luxury cars than an economy car. The door gives a solid "thud" when you close it, the frame feels solid and safe, and the suspension is firm yet comfortable. Im really impressed with this Hyundai.