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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  Love it - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jack rickard - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Have car for 31/2 years and have had no problems. Wife loves the SUV. Mileage on trips 23-24 which is what they advertised. Was the first in our Church parking lot and now we must have 5 or 6 more.

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  2005 Hyndai - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By CIao - April 3 - 5:46 am

  I am ver happy with my mid size suv except for the stereo system and the gas limeage. I am getting 18 miles/gallon at the best. The stereo system in not very clear.

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  Love this Car! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Joe - April 3 - 12:30 am

  Owned the Genesis Coupe for about three weeks. What a car, performance and power is great and what a value. Would recommend this car to anyone. Love the ZF automatic transmission and the roar of the engine and exhaust is really cool!

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  I Love my SUV - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Pedro J Matos - April 1 - 5:33 pm

  The confort are quite good, Iwas suffering of back pain. But the siiting on my Tucson, makes the difference. Smooth driving, a SUPER AC, well I LOVE IT

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  Great Value - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By jsmit86 - March 31 - 10:53 pm

  My last vehicle was an Infiniti G35, so you have to know that this vehicle impressed me. No, it wont out race or out handle the G, but it cost 14K less, and gets over 40% better fuel economy. So far the car is excellent. The 198 HP GDI 4 Cly is more than adequate. If you are worried about no V6, drive the car. Most drivers will be pleased. (If it is still an issue, wait for the Turbo.) The car is actually slightly smoother and quieter than my G35. It also handles surprisingly well. While this is not a sport sedan, it handles better than Accord, Camry, Malibu, and Fusion SEL. The interior in the Limited is much better than other competing cars. Great head liner.

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  How to get a 40k car for half that. - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jamey - March 31 - 8:26 pm

  Been looking at a Tiburon since Hyundai came out with them. I owned a 1992 and 1994 Excel in the past. Loved the little cars... but Hyundai has moved to a whole new level with this. The car looks BEAUTIFUL. Heads turn constantly. Not much room in the back, as long as that is not important. Rear seats are for lower insurance, as they are too small & anyone over 56" will feel cramped. Leather interior well crafted; all controls in easy reach and well placed. Shifting is easy. Stay away from the automatic as this car is TOO much fun and is too fast. Shifting is require to get full enjoyment out of car. In fact, get the 6 speed for better gas millage on freeways.

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  Watch your spare - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By walter arnold - March 31 - 5:54 am

  no spare tire only a repair kit(

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  MY SANTA FE - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RADIOANNOUNCR - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LX 3.5L ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH A SUNROOF. ITS HARD TO BELEIVE THAT HYUNDAI CAN PUT SO MANY OPTIONS IN A VEHICLE AT SUCH A GOOD PRICE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT A WOOSIE TRUCK. ITS GOT GOOD LOOKS AND PLENTY OF TINTED GLASS. HIT THE GAS AND YOU ARE AIR BORNE. WITH THE MOONSOON SOUND SYSTEM CRANKING 218 WATTS YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL AND ENJOY EVERY BEAT. SOFT LEATHER SEATS. "DRIVING IS BELIEVING."

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  Sweet Ride - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By GS - March 30 - 1:30 am

  This is my 5th Hyundai purchase and I have to say this car really is a great vehicle. It is SO MUCH car for money!!

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  SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!! - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By King - March 30 - 12:06 am

  I love this car and everyone should to. This car is excellent and respondes well to intake exaust and all the other upgrades you can think off