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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  No automatic running lights?? - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Elaine - July 25 - 6:10 pm

  I am over all very pleased with my 2007 Sonata Limited...find it to be quite,comfortable, and a pleasure to drive. Gas milage as represented 21 miles to gallon, city driving,(no jumpstarts for me)

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  so much for so little - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By damaine1 - July 25 - 8:20 am

  I have only had my XG for 1 month, I brought it used and it had 34,000 miles on it. The car looks great, drives great and has all the little things that most cars for its price dont have. I love the wood trim and leather interior, it looks and feels great. I love the chrome accents on the exterior of the vehicle. Its a very comfortable and enjoyable ride a slow and highway speeds. Just enough power to satisfy my hunger for speed :-). So far its an all around great car.

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  Love My Car!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By GonzoCJ5 - July 25 - 2:00 am

  but it is too small for my new family. With two teenagers and an 8 yo we need something bigger. HAte to see it go!

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  Fun Economy - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Texworkmom - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I drive a lot of interstate hwys. and in town. The pick-up of the engine is good with the 5-speed transmission and I average 36 mi. per gallon of gas. I like hatchback style, but a scoop might jazz it up?!.

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  Excellent!! Would consider another - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By Abel Salmeron - July 23 - 10:54 pm

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  Defect after Defect - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By sh5w - July 23 - 3:56 pm

  Hyundai is my 6th new car for past 10 years and it’s my first time to drive Hyundai. But I don’t have that kind of luck any more as I did with my previous 5 cars. I found defect after defect of this Hyundai when I just owned this car less than a month. I already encountered 4 defects since I have had Hyundai less than 10 months, loose hanger bar, broken pump of wind shield fluid tank, visor light out, and break light out. I not only needed to spend time to get those problems fixed at the dealer, but also the even worse part is that I had to pay for some of the fixes, which are not covered by the warranty. I felt that buying Hyundai car is paying for a new car price without a warranty.

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  Good start for first time out! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Vince - July 23 - 12:40 pm

  Love this car, performance, handling, style, fit and finish. Chose this car over an Acura TL, Cadillac CTS and Saab 9-5.

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  Loving my "lazy H" - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Poco - July 23 - 3:51 am

  This vehicle goes really well in snow, also. The only problem that seems to be mildly chronic is that calipers Ned to be replaced every couple of years.

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  Used Hyundai vWagon - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mike Portnoy - July 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has not given me any Mechanical problems. Only normal maintaince such as Brakes, tires Wires and tires have been replaced. Some interior body hardware has been replaced. Milage is 83,600

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  Love This Wagon - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By gmcstravick2000 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I have no complaints on this car. I would buy a wagon again. It is a little tight in the back seat for three adults or two kids and a car seat.