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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  Car that is good for the money you paid - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By 2007SonataOwner - January 20 - 3:45 pm

  I have 2007 Sonata 3.3L V6 Limited for two years already. I bought it new. It accelerates pretty well, but, car hesitates a little when it shifts from 1st to 2nd speed in auto mode. Avg MPG is 20-21 city, 23-24 HWY (with A/C on). Suspension needs to be stiffer to avoid leaning on corners and steering feels kind of numb at low-parking speeds (in comparison to 2007 Santa Fe, which is great). Seats (drivers one is 8 ways adjustable on Limited) are fine. At the same time, driver seat should be more comfortable for long trips and provide better lumbar support for a healthier posture (as on Santa Fe again). Trunk is spacious. Quality of front cup holders sucks, but it is fixed on 2009 model.

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  Gets Lots of Attention! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Val - January 18 - 6:00 pm

  A beautiful car that gets lots of attention. Handles very well. Gas mileage isnt as good as advertised but not bad for a sports car. Poorly- designed front bumper as it catches on every parking curb - has been ripped off once and scrapes every time. Auto body shop says he sees this car for same problem frequently. Brake pad rumbles/vibrates when coming to hard stop. Blue Tooth Technology not so good - takes too long to engage the cell phone. Otherwise, Ive really enjoyed the car.

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  We love our Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By luvrsantafe - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been a GREAT SUV. With AWD, ABS and traction control it is extremely difficult to lose control in snow/ice. We had no trouble getting to/from work this winter in 1+ foot of snow - no need for chains at all. Unique styling makes it stand out from the competition. Lots of creature comforts standard - cant believe we went this long without keyless entry - now cant see having another vehicle without it. Great handling, comfortable driving and riding.

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  So far so good!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John Wolfe - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My lovely wife and I have just recently invested in a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. Its been almost a month now, and I havent heard a peep from her regarding our current conveyance issues. While considering what Ive endurred in the last year and a half; what with her constantly wearing her elbow out on my ribs and also putting unnecessary mileage upon my backside via her sneaker; I MUST SAY THAT... I AM PLEASED. Thanks for providing me an opportunity to vent my appreciation!! John Wolfe Orlando, Florida

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  2007 Hyundai Sonata Review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By fff - January 14 - 6:32 pm

  Solid car. Up until 2005 Hyundais were a joke (I had a Sonata that cost me 200 a month in repairs)--and then the company got serious: night and day. Now its the poor mans Toyota. Get these cars because the company is soon going to realize that they are like Toyota. Last great value in a car.

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  Great Small SUV / Crossover - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By realcsi - January 14 - 1:02 pm

  I have approx. 43,000 miles on my 2011 Hyundai Tucson Limited with auto geartronic trans. It has the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. I average 22 MPG combo driving, city/highway. No engine or transmission problems. Its a great small versatile suv/crossover vehicle for those that dont constantly haul large loads, carry five passengers, or tow. The built-in navigational system/stereo is great.

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  After my first 3400 miles..... - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By gerry - January 14 - 10:00 am

  After my test drive, all I could say was: do I want the red one or the black one? One word sums it up: FUN! This car is the most fun to drive of any Ive owned in the last 20+ years. Extremely comfortable to drive, east to maneuver, goes as fast as it looks, gets lots of attention. Only bad part: all the buzzymobiles think you want to race.

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  tucson review - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Luis Lugue - January 11 - 9:10 pm

  This car seems quiet while driving. It is sometimes fun to drive. legroom in the back is spacious also in the front. The interior design is quite nice but it looks like any ordinary interior. Exterior design is unique but the front looks kind of ugly. You can not judge a veicle by its design you must judge it by its engine performance and veicle comfort enguine is quite economical and clean and riding comfort is quite good.

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  The last hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By shanky - January 11 - 8:46 am

  Purchased the car new and after 6 years have 28,000 miles. During this time the moon roof broke, driver window was inoperative, both plastic door handles broke, paint in a number of areas has faded, inside and out. Now you cannot put gas into the tank without 17-22 tries due to the charcoal canister, close valve and filter canister needing replacement at a cost of $600.00 plus. They were not sure of the price at the dealership. Contacting the home office was to no avail. This will be the last Hyundai I will ever purchase. They are cheaply built.

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  Fun car, hard to get parts - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Stan - January 10 - 1:43 pm

  I just bought mt Tiburon, when i test drove it it had a bad wheel bearing that the dealer replaced for me (cost them 600 bucks)but it took couple of days for Hyundai to get the part to the Toyota dealer.Finally got it home and the Moonroof went out and Toyotas service department being awesome said they would fix that to....on them!at the moment i am still waiting to get my car due to Hyundai shipping not only the wrong part to fix the moonroof but a USED part at that, so right now im wondering if i just got myself into a money pit.Good news is that it is the 6 speed with the factory clutch still (crosses fingers).Only bad thing I can say about the car right now is tring to see out the back