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 Car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By TibGT - May 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is a great value for under 20k I got a fully loaded automatic, this is a sweet ride that comes with 10 year warranty. What can I say, I love it!

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  Left Toyota for the Sonata - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lennie - May 10 - 7:00 am

  I went to the Toyota dealership with every intention of buying a Camry, having had one for 10 years. I had already checked out the Sonata previously. After test driving the Camry, I came away convinced the Sonata was the way to go. Everything from the size of the trunk, the cloth on the seats, the style of the dash and the room in the back seat were superior on the Sonata. So I left a very good deal on the Camry and bought the Sonata and havnt regretted it yet. Took a 500 mile round trip already and got 32+ mpg. Ease of use of the controls and their placement a big plus. Car is tight and fun to drive. Great acceleration from the 4- cyl engine. I was hesitant to go Hyundai, dont be.

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  Worth Every Penny - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By kaylub - May 10 - 3:53 am

  I have no complaints other than the gas mileage but thats to be expected when purchasing a v6. The comfort is amazing, the acceleration response is great, overall performance is excellent. You definetely get your moneys worth and then some. I have had no issues with the car what-so-ever. The classic design of the car is exactly what I was looking for. I wouldnt trade it for any car in the world. You cannot go wrong with the xg350l. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Nothing about it feels cheap, short cutted or unfinished. 2 big thumbs up.

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  What a pleasant surprise! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Canuck fan - May 10 - 2:36 am

  On our list we originally had the Vibe/Matrix, Impreza, PT and Cobalt; the Elantra was a last-minute addition due to a good review I read; never would have considered it otherwise. We in time narrowed our choice to the Vibe and Elantra, and back to back there is no comparison between the two. The Elantra rides much better (my fillings are still resetting from the Vibe test), has a bigger and more useful trunk, has great leg room front and back, and gets virtually the same MPG. The 5-speed shifts nicely, and all controls felt intuitive. And... a fully equipped GT was less than a near-base Vibe. Add to that a five year full warranty, and youve got one great car.

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  Excellent Automoble and great value! - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Joseph Inzalaco - May 6 - 10:00 am

  After owning a Mercedes for years my wife and I were tired of the costly repairs. We decided on the XG 350 because of the value, but recieved much more. The interior is as luxurious than sedans of much higher costs.I have made comparisons to Mercedes and BMWs other family members own. The stereo system is unbelievable with superior sound to anything we have ever owned. It is a blast to drive with the 3.5 litre 6 cyl. and shifttronic transmission. Great car!!!!!!

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  Very happy - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Uconnhuskie - May 6 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with this little car. Has a nice get up and go.drives like a dream, good on gas,Very sporty looking,clean inside and out, good on my bank account, nice radeo, cannot complain. Very very happy with it! Go Huskies

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  What, its not a jaguar - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By msarcuri - May 6 - 10:00 am

  We love the Hyundai. Its a great car for the money. Our daughter totatled a 2001 Maxima. Our outstanding Chubb insurance gave us $18,600. This paid for the new Hyundai with V6, sunroof, ABS and traction control. Car rides great and looks great too. I pulled up at my brothers and beeped and he looked and thought who is that in the Jag?

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  Sonata 2011 Ltd. 4 cylinder - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jack P. Scott - May 4 - 11:23 pm

  I purchased my 2011 Sonata Ltd April 17th, 20010 and left for a drive across Canada on April 20th. I have now about 6,700 KM and it has performed outstandingly. It flew over and mountains and runs like a rabbit on level highway. I received many unsolicited compliments on the design. They think it is a new BMW or Lexus. Extremely happy. Voice on GPS is only downer and I cant seem to change it.

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  My experience with Hyundai xg350L - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By L Peck - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I have about 1700 miles on the xg350l purchased in July, 2002. The machine is fun to drive with good drivers response. The five speed trans. is great for down hill breaking.

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  Great buy, nice looking - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By wbaker - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Sonota to replace a 1994 Sentra. Great buy for the money. Have 1600 miles on it. Only problem is with the paint on the roof and the dealership will fix it w/my 3000 mile service. The problem occurred b/c of condensation from the plastic cover thats on it for transport. Everyone thinks its a Jag. Sharp looking and surprisingly fast. Switched from a 5 speed to auto with this car and was worried I would lose power.