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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  Very Pleased Azera Owner - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By Azera owner - October 26 - 8:16 pm

  This car will not disappoint you. It offers many luxurious features at a fraction of the price in comparison to Lexus. It is truly a pleasure to drive. It is equipped with ample power for safe passing and responds well on hills and navigating turns. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a car with style and grace - it more than measures up to Lexus or BMW.

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  Best Car out there - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Neozen - October 26 - 12:38 am

  If you want a car this car is everything you need in one it has 4wd, key less entry, electric starter and more!!!

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  Incredible bargain - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Jim Blake - October 25 - 10:06 pm

  We bought one of the last 3 2005 models left (and got a huge discount plus another $1000 for already being a Hyundai owner). The whole family absolutely loves this car - by far the nicest all-around vehicle either my wife or I have ever owned. We have yet to have a single problem with it.

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  Watch out big 3 - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gregnice23 - October 25 - 7:06 am

  I love the design of this new Sonata. The dual exhausts are hot and the car really takes off for the 6. The seats can be a little uncomfortable and the ride of the GLS is a little tight but overall I am very pleased. People always take notice of my dark cinnamon beauty coming at you. This new Sonata should make people want to check out Hyundai before going to Toyota,Nissan, or Honda. The pickup is awesome and the interior is well appointed. This is a fresh new car from Hyundai in a sea of all the bland camrys,accords & altimas. Very pleased with the dealership and got a great lease also. Cant beat the warranty. Try and beat that Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

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  Look for Months - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By cal - October 24 - 1:03 pm

  Have been looking for an intermidate size crossover/etc for 6 months. The veracruz was the best value for the money. Also the great warranty.

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  Very Satisfied - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Rick - October 23 - 10:40 pm

  Drove from Denver to Dallas and averaged 23 MPG. Not bad for a AWD. I am 63", 300lbs and never felt uncomfortable behind the wheel. My friends found the back seat comfortable when reclined.

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  Best car I have owned - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By R.Cherry - October 23 - 4:38 pm

  Of all the cars I have ever owned, be it new or used this is the best one of the bunch. Only problems I have to report are that after three months I couldnt get the XM radio to re-cycle and the pearl white paint seems to chip a little too much for my tastes. A dealer fixed the XM radio in less than a minute. One more thing, tires seem to have flat spots in them until they warm up. Otherwise a great car. I was impressed enough to buy my wife a 2009 Hyundai Sonata, solely on the strength of the Hyundai name. They have come a very, very long way since their first exports here years ago.

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  Simply Perfect for Me. - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By dpsimcho - October 23 - 12:21 pm

  I bought this car 10/13/11 and still have not a single complaint. I know some reviews point to "poor acceleration" or what have you, but I have to say that for what I was going for, it is completely fine with me. I was looking for a good looking car that got good to great gas mileage. I absolutely Love the design of the Veloster (especially the rear end). When you get in, you would think you are riding in a car twice its price. Very comfortable seats, everything you touch feels like it has a high end quality to it. Ive had a few people in the back seat with no hiccups or complaints whatsoever. I simply love the amount of people who have pulled up next to me asking what it is!

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  I LIKE IT - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RBURRIS - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I JUST TRADED A VANILLA 2001 JETTA THAT I LOVED FOR A VANILLA SANTA FE. SO FAR I AM IMPRESSED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. I THINK I MADE A GOOD DEAL. I GAVE UP A THING OR TWO BUT GOT BACK A THING OR THREE. MY FIRST TANK OF GAS WAS 20 MPG BUT I EXPECT THAT TO GET HIGHER. I LIKE BEING UP HIGH WHERE I CAN SEE THE TRAFFIC BETTER.

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  Just Bought New Hyundai - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jessie Ramsey - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Hello, I just purchased a new Hyundai GLS 4 dr w/ automatic transmission today for my daughter. It is a quiet car for the money. As a first car, it is perfect for the college kid. It has A/C Power windows, doorlocks, tilt wheel, cruise control AM/FM/CD and Sunroof. It is really loaded for such a small car. Time will tell as to how reliable it is. We expect good gas mileage and cheap operation.