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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  XG350 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Ariel Vantro - March 10 - 7:20 pm

  1. Lots of equipments, 2, Very Cheap compare with other car. 3, Long warranty :: 10years 1000000mile 4, I love the Style(interior, exterior) 5, Reliability is better than before. 6, Satisfy

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  good mpg - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By larry - March 10 - 3:56 pm

  Been reading about mpg in town hard to say on the highway {3 trips} 23 to 26 mpg good for a comfortable suv. Good pickup lots of room inside, I am 6 ft wife is 5,2" and interior suits us both. Ride is good handling is Nice but than it is not a Corvette. Considering trading for another Santa Fe but resale is low on suv now.

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  Amazing Tiburon - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tara - March 10 - 10:40 am

  Ive had my Tiburon for a few months - I LOVE IT. I still say its the best purchase Ive ever made! Its fun, fast, sleek, economical and most of all has the best warranty EVER! What are you waiting for? If youre looking for an economical, sharp looking sports car, this one is it! Mine is black with stainless steel accents and although Ive tried to find new accessories for it - nothing is needed to make it look as sharp as it already looks - minus tinted windows.

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  Great Car! - 2016 Hyundai Equus
  By MM - March 10 - 3:42 am

  Lots of standard features, good warranty and drives very well especially on the highway.

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  Proud XG owner - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Paul J. Solis - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Best car for the money, period.

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  A small car for a big Man - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By T-bone - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Im 6 4 220 lbs. and this car is a very roomy car for my long legs I drive 100 miles a day and for the first time I have not had back pain since I bought my elantra. The car is great to drive and has alot of pick up. I lookes at many cars before I bought thia one. any I talked to who has this car loves it to. T-bone

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  A small car for a big Man - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By T-Bone - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Im 6 4 220 lbs. and this car is a very roomy car for my long legs I drive 100 miles a day and for the first time I have not had back pain since I bought my elantra. The car is great to drive and has alot of pick up. I lookes at many cars before I bought thia one. any I talked to who has this car loves it to. T-bone

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  quick little car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By frank w - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car a little over a week ago. Love it!!! Fun to drive. Great setup on the interior. No complaints whatsoever.

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  Great Experience! - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By bassplya - March 9 - 11:39 pm

  When I decided to by the 2015 Sonata SE, I read the reviews here first. I summarily dismissed those that were very very subjective. I have owned and driven 4 Hyundais for the last 15 years. I have had nothing to complain about except the sun visor problems in the 2006 Sonata. I very much enjoyed the 2013 with no complaints at all. I now have the 2015 Sonata. The ride is superb (for me). my wife and I both have back problems and found this car to be very comfortable. Granted, it doesnt have the smooth ride of my Lexus, but it also doesnt have the price tag. You get what you pay for. Hyundai has yet to disappoint me, which will make me continue to purchase Sonatas until they do.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By lr2 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought the LX after shopping around for a while, and absolutely love this car. The ride is smooth and quiet. The shiftronic is great for getting out in traffic, it also ads a sporty feel which I like. People are floored by the looks and the features in this car. I was looking at the Passat, Accord, and Camry, but I payed alot less and have a better looking car.