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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  Yes, I am still driving that Hyundai! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By ynotbd - June 13 - 10:33 pm

  Toyota and Honda move over there is a new sheriff in town! Love it...great price and as the commercial says more interior space than a BMW 5 Series, great warranty and outstanding ride. I am very pleased and highly recommend the Sonta.

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  Vehicle - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Michael - June 13 - 2:43 am

  I love it, it has more power than my 2005 Hyundai Sonata and I put approximately 60K a year on the vehicle. With the five speed auto trans, it gets up an she goes.

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  Great Value - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tempo - June 12 - 7:26 pm

  Special factory rebate caused me to consider the Sonata over a used Honda. The car rides great, has comfortable seats, is quiet and decent fuel economy. Although this is the entry level sedan, it has most everything you need, but, get the popular equipment package listing for $650 for the power drivers seat and other goodies. 28 mpg mixed driving fuel economy on the first tank, 35 mpg highway driving on the second tank. Check it out!

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  XG wins! - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By SRG - June 12 - 10:00 am

  We looked at the camry, accord, and others.. but bought the XG because it was different from what everyone else had, and came with a great warranty, too! So far, after two years, the only problem we had was a crack in the windshield, and Hyundai replaced it free.

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  Rent a vehicle before you buy - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jimbobsebring - June 12 - 10:00 am

  We had to rent a car when our son came home on leave from the army. As luck would have it, we got stuck with an Elantra. What a find. We bought a 2004 in April. It drives as well as our Buick Century (2001). I do agree though with people claiming lack of quality in the paint. We already have scratches that have penatrated the clear coat and the paint. Nothing like that on the Buick.

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  What a Car!!! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By mm1234 - June 12 - 10:00 am

  I just got my Elantra and I cant say enough great things about it. The car is fun to drive and handles very well on the Highway.The gas mileage is excellent I traded in a gas guzziling SUV for the Elantra best move I ever made!!! Go for the Elantra you wont be sorry.

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  A great value for the $$$ - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By merlot - June 12 - 10:00 am

  The car is now 17 months old and has performed perfectly. I have had zero defects to have repaired/replaced under warranty, which is the best available. The car for considerakbly less than $20,000 is a first rate "buy". Gas mileage is consistantly 22-24 MPG, combined city/highway driving. Bought this car because we had a Santa FE LX that my wife was driving and have had perfect performance from it we bought the Sonata.

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  Unbeatable Value - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By zipperflounder - June 9 - 10:53 am

  I bought a white 07 GLS 5 speed stick with the $1500.00 option (ac,cd,crusie,175 watt sound with 6 speakers,ect) for $14800.00! What a bargin!! From a safty standpoint alone where else can you get a car with 4 wheel disc breaks, abs,electronic break force distribution, AND 6 (yes thats six!) standard airbags for under 15 grand? Not to mention all the other standard goodies included, the excellent fuel economy, super low emessions, power everything, outstanding warranty, and all built to great quality. Hyundai has come a long way and has come to par with the Japanese automakers. The old public perception will still keep resale values down but that is the only knock as far as Im concerened.

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  Best Buy For The Money - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By lwidrig - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Tiburon for 2 years now and havent had a thing wrong with it! It is fun to drive and I dont have to worry about it breaking down anywhere. I have no complaints after 2 years!

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  A great car - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ken - June 8 - 7:46 pm

  This is my second Hyundai, my first being a 2004 Santa Fe. The Santa Fe gave me excellent service, never a problem in 4 1/2 years. I always loved the way that car handled and rode but the Sonata is even better. The mileage around town and short trips is staying around 26 - 27 MPG, pretty good for a car not broken in yet. Everything about the interior is well thought out and logically placed. Hyundai does a very good job in everything it does.