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 But - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Monroe - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this 2011 Sonata LTD Turbo a few weeks ago. Rides great, looks fantastic, (venetian red) but, it drifts to the left. Took it back to have alignment checked and repaired, was out of specs. But now still drifts to the left but not as bad and seems to do it only/mostly when accelerating. Will change lane in 1/4 mile. Dealer stated that its due to the front wheel drive "torque"?? Awaiting meeting with factory rep. This is not one that falls in the recall for steering column problems. Thats why I gave it a 6 in "fun to drive"

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  Super Car! (just avoid the dealer!) - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Promyntheus - September 18 - 4:50 pm

  Test drove both the RX-8 and the 05 Mustang. MUCH more room inside than the Mustang, cool sporty looks like the RX- 8, better Warranty than both! Better value than both RX-8 or Mustang! I wager I get more questions about what kinda car the Tiburon is than I would driving an "everyone-knows-car" mustang (ho-hum) and the RX-8 which resembles most of the other Mazada models... Want a head-turner for low cost? This is the one youve been looking for!

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  Love it! - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By amyhobbit - September 17 - 12:06 pm

  I absolutely love this car. I owned a 2000 Hyundai Elantra until I literally killed it. I didnt like the look of the new Elantras so I looked at the Sonata. I LOVE it. Its safe, reliable, beautiful to look at... I cant say enough good things about this car. I put 4500 miles on it in 3 months. The XM is a lifesaver in traffic (I live in DC). I really cant explain how safe I feel in this car. The warranty is fabulous. We go on a lot of road trips and the new car hasnt let us down yet. Its roomy enough for me, my boyfriend, the cello and the great dane.

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  I love my XG350 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Colleen - September 16 - 2:43 pm

  Even though my car is now 7 years old - i still have people asking me about it. Most are surprised it is as old as it as and a Hyundai. I like the classiness of only 1 area on the car that tells what it is .I dont know about fuel economy. I believe if you cant afford fuel you shouldnt be driving the car. Biggest expense has been tires - Im hard on tires on any car. I have aftermarket wheels and low profile tires - Car looks great. Should be worth more in secondary market but Hyundai still hasnt recovered there & should have . My friends with other imports do/did not have the same reliability, low maintenance costs .Id buy another .

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  Tiburon GT - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Daniel J. - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Tiburon because of the looks and the warranty. I used to own a Hyundai Sonata 3.0 and was very pleased. Before buying the Hyundais I owned 5 new US made cars and always had to return to the shop for warranty issues, not with the Hyundais. The only time I go there is for the oil changes. Even that isnt expensive. Ill buy a Hyundai again!

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  The Best Car Ever!! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Cora - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I looked for a long time to find the right car. I wanted style, comfort, luxury, price, and a warranty that is exceptional. I feel that I recieved everything that I was looking for and then some. I am a tough critic when it comes to cars. I want a car that I cannot get bored with and that will look fantastic for a long time. A car that makes you feel good. I know that with my 2003 Hyundai XG350XL, I have the best.

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  I love this car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lovelylisa - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car on the 3rd of Feb though I havent been driving it very long but I this cars performance. The warranty I got is the best ever!

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  BEST CAR I HAVE OWNED - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ROBERT MAIDA - September 16 - 2:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE, DEPENDABLE, COMFORTABLE,NIMBALE, ALL AROUND GREAT CAR!!!

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  Santa Fe vs. Escape - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bridge - September 16 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I spent three weeks doing our homework on small SUVS. Our criteria were mpg, monthly payments, and quality. We had a great deal for the Escape, but eventually decided on purchasing the Santa Fe due to a much classier/comfortable interior and a greater list of overall standard options. Seating in the Hyundai was much more comfortable and plush. In the end, we have a much higher quality vehicle with a stronger warranty. Hyundai apparently is following Hondas initial footsteps by increasing quality or losing the American market. Five years ago, I would not have even considered a Hyundai.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jeni16139 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  My Santa Fe is the best vehicle i have ever owned. It is comfortable, easy to drive. Has lots of room and the children i have had in my car like the comfortable seats, as do I. I have a ruptured disc on my tailbone. in this vehicle i am so comfortable. I am excited each time I get in it because I know I Will enjoy the ride. I am so pleased with my Santa Fe I have been recommending it to everyone searching for a new vehicle. I have never done that at all.