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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  Love it!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jules2853 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  My Santa Fe just had its first birthday and is still going strong! I love how it looks and how it drives. This vehicle can sure hug the road and handles really well. Plenty of room for the grandchildren and everything else, for that matter. A quiet comfortable ride.

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  I love my Santa Fe! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Catherine14 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle rides like a car. I have a 6 cylinder GLS model. Since I have needed to take two long distance trips, I have had the opportunity to experience a smooth ride at 45 miles an hour, and at interstate speeds as well. This car rides as smoothly at 45 as it does at 70.

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  Perfect for a mom who doesnt want a van - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mice0010 - January 11 - 12:06 am

  I absolutely love this car. It is huge! I can fit both kids in the back in car seats and have someone sit comfortably in between them. The trunk is unreal. The first 500 miles we got about 25 mpg, but after that it was like a light switch and now we are getting closer to 40. It handles well and Ive had 3 people mistake it for a Lexus. We live on 1 income and this car satisfies our need for a low payment and the fact that we like all the options on the car. I highly recommend the black one! When we were at the dealership purchasing the car they didnt have enough for the people who wanted to buy one. Also, the seats in the SE are super easy to keep clean.

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  Love it - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Abby Hunker - January 10 - 11:41 pm

  I love my eleantra it does great on gas n takes me where I need to go especially. Back n forth to work!

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  Nice but for chicks - 2009 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Mr.Joe - January 10 - 4:40 am

  Handles really good but a bit lag when @ green light, helps save gas i guess. Got it @ 110 miles, My wife and I first new car, course i favor it more because she liked it and the safety for our kids, Im pretty tall so i wish seats go back further for leg room. Matt came with the suv. Heated seat not needed in Hawaii but the a/c is very cold so we might as well use it. lol. Factory speakers inadequate so i upgraded.

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  Accent to Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ms. Happy - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Upgraded from Accent, also a good car. Drive and features are great, but car had flawed brake rotors, had to be re- turned, inexcusable on brand new car. Mileage should be better, but comfort and warranty cant be beat by ANYONE. My insurance was lowered from Accent to Elantra due to improved security and safety features. GET ONE!

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  Superior Product and Pricing - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By kupop - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Hyundai has traditionally cornered the cost-conscious consumer, but now with this type of product they can lure the informed consumer. Compare it with the Japanese sedans in this class. Check the fit and finish, the build quality. Question others when they ridicule Hyundai, because they dont know. This is the second best overall engine in the class. The gearbox brings no complaints. There is elite ride quality. The features list is staggering, especially at the price. Compare. . .

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  Great little SUV - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Zorro - January 7 - 3:00 pm

  This is a fun to drive, easy to handle suv. Worksmanship is great, its peppy and so much fun to drive. Its a great little SUV for the money!

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  A lot of car for the price - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chris - January 7 - 11:33 am

  I drive fifty mile to work one way. This car is fuel efficient, comfortable and reliable. Suspension sounds loose, but performs nice. There is a lot of car for the price.

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  Highly recommended - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By DP - January 7 - 9:30 am

  Price, Safety, Style, Warranty, Roominess, Smooth ride. This one blows out the competition, including Civic. We got one pretty much loaded...auto., cruise, ABS, side air bags, etc. for $12,500. Includes many std. features that youd have to pay extra for on other cars (i.e., fold down rear seat). Seats are a bit firm. Good rear leg room. Acceleration just ok, but once up to speed power is very good.