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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  More than expected - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tony - January 4 - 5:40 pm

  Driving is excellent, great accelaration. Car was a showroom car, with euro body kit and 20inch rims. Seats are comfortable, dash board is nicely done. Woodgrain gives it a nice touch of luxury feel. Getting compliment from friends and co-workers about the look of the car. Most are suprise its a Hyundai.

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  SPORTY AND FINANCIALLY SOUND - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By robnstaci - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I think this vehicle is great if you are on a budget but looking for something sporty with sleek lines. The warranty alone is a plus to the vehicles selling points with 100,000 miles or 10 years-you cant touch this. My model is fully loaded and I still have extra money in my pocket to afford a ton of new cds to go with my cute little car!

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  Better Than Expected - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By metricka - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I love the power. It is fun to drive. You get excellent value for your money. If you are getting a 350 go for the L.

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  XG350L - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By C.M.Wyman - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my first ever Hyundai in 2001. It was an XG300L. After test driving the vehicle, I found that it had a lot of the quaities and performance that I was acustomed to. Being the previous owner of a Cadilac Eldorado and a Coup De Ville. The XG300 was a superise in the handling and interior design which was very much fashionablle. The ride was most impressive, and the handling of the vehicle was a surprise. I recently purchased a 2004 XG350L. The change of the engine to a 3.5lt. increased the HP/and the torque in the vehicle. It was FAST. I now own the XG350L.

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  I love my SantaFe... - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DonnaMarie - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my first 4x4 and I am very pleased with its performance. We just had a foot of snow and I was able to pull right out of my parking spot without using a shovel. It handles very well and with the leather package and CD player I feel like Im in a luxury vehicle.

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  Love my car. - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jim K. - January 3 - 8:27 am

  This car is totally awesome. Love every bit of it.

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  YOU CANT BEAT IT - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By - January 2 - 10:00 am

  COMPARING TO ALL THE OTHER VEHICLES, YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THE ELANTRA

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  Love my Sonata - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ben - January 2 - 3:30 am

  Drove the Accord, Camery and the Subaru. The Sonata is a basic luxury car. By that I mean it has all the right stuff where I want/need it, not overstuffed with gadgets like the Honda. Ride is excellent and relaxing. Our first Hyundai, but not our last (if it ever wears out!). I have nothing neg to say about this car, love what it looks like too.

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  Love this car!!! - 2015 Hyundai Sonata
  By Edna Peterson - January 1 - 7:54 pm

  Absolutely a great car in every way

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  3rd sonata - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By wx man - January 1 - 12:26 am

  This is the 3rd new sonata I have owned. It drives very well, but has 2 small problems the dealer and factory havent helped. There is a vibration between 38-44 mph in town and the trunk comes unlocked about once a week on its own. All the Sonatas I have owned are generally great. This one gets 32 mpg at 75mph highway and 28 mpg in town. The 2007 got 25 in town and 35 highway. Everybody else is right, the cup holders stink! I recommend these cars to everyone.