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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  2006 sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2006 hyundai sonata - March 27 - 7:40 pm

  This is the 2nd sonata ihave owned and just like the other one NO PROBLEMS. Only this 2006 model is way better than the 2003 model.Rides better handels better roomier and quieter. The only thing i can complain about is the EPA gas mileage. It does not get what it says. Overall it is EXCELLANT and i can vouch for that.

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  Dont think twice! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Neal in Eugene, OR - March 27 - 4:23 pm

  In a world that is all about names and labels, it is nice to stand out from the crowd. Hyundai isnt the brand it once was. The Elantra is by far a better car than its competition, even WITHOUT factoring price. The car has a great suspension, smooth, but tight in corners. Its absurdly quiet inside compared to other cars in its class. The quality and fit and finish are better than Civic. The design is not boring whatsoever. When you sit in this car and drive it every day, you dont feel like you "settled". The warranty is really just icing on the cake, you wont need to use it. Hyundais are engineered better than Hondas: example: Hondas use plastic radiators, Hyundais use metal.

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  A car that I have been waiting for... - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By corknight - March 26 - 6:33 am

  I heard a lot about this car even well before it came out. I used to have preoccupation with Hyundai that it only sells cars at a low cost with below par quality, but not anymore. I bought this car, actually my mother, about 4 months ago, and I am completely fascinated with this car (GLS V6). Its got lot of horsepower and has very attractive interior and exterior design. I was very surprised about the engine, because it is very strong and at the same time, very quite. Also, its interior is very roomy. I am about 6 feet and I have no problem sitting in the back. I really want to recommend this car to those who are looking for a mid-size family sedan. It is a car that you dont want to miss.

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  Excellent Hatchback! - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jason - March 26 - 6:16 am

  Great car for my money. It worth every penny. Good performance wih great gas savings.

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  Take the spring out! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By matman142 - March 25 - 7:00 pm

  Ok so i have an 06 Tiburon SE V6 and it came with the 6 speed manual and as you have probably read these tiburons have terrible clutch problems. Take that pesky spring out and this car is a dream to own. Great handling and decent performance plus i bought it used and it still has 1 year left on the powertrain warranty and 6 years left on roadside assistance! Overall a very good car for the money

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  lovemycar - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By lovemycar - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I love my Sonata. Id buy Hyundais for the rest of my life now. It looks great and feels great. Ive put more miles on my car then usual in the last 6 months (almost 15,000) but it still runs great. I have a little spot on my trunk where there is rust. But thats covered in the warrenty so I dont have to worry about that. I checked out the Camrey and Altima and the Hyundai had more this standard for less money.

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  Excellent Car - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alvy - March 25 - 10:00 am

  As a 17yo, Im very happy that I was able to purchase a Sonata. I love the fact that people think the car is a Jaguar, and that I can beat all those Cavaliers racing between stoplights. And the best thing about the car is that I can still make my monthly payments and have a great car.

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  Car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Brent Stein - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This THE BEST bang for your buck on the market today. As long as you are not close minded cause "its a hyundai" then it will be perfect for you. Handles like a dream. The automatic trans is "designed and built by PORSHE" so i assume that the 6 speed is also.

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  Nice Auto - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steveg - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Was very worried about buying the Elantra giving the fact that Hyundai has had so may problems in the past. I am impressed. Have put 2k miles on the car so far and not the first problem, and the price was great, under 13k.

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  Great college car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By pm2002 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  All around great car for college students or those on a budget. Outperforms a Civic and for thousands less.