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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  little old lady - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kaycheri Rappaport - May 7 - 8:57 am

  I am very happy with my car, the appearance, performance and the support of the salesman.

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  I Luv It!!! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By KET - May 7 - 2:30 am

  I have driven lots of cars/trucks/suvs in my years as a car owner. I would buy this SUV again in a heartbeat. I drive 100 miles a day just back and forth to work. The only thing I have had to do is tires, breaks, and normal maintenance required for the warranty. (timing belt, tensioner @ 60,000) I get GREAT gas mileage (26-26 mpg) considering the weight of Santa Fe. My mother bought herself a Santa Fe 6 months after I got mine, and loves hers as well. I would recommend this SUV to anybody, and have. Well worth every penny.

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  good relatively cheap car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By eugen - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I had a pleasant experience with this car. Not enough power though. The sound system is badly designed but it is not an essential part of a car I guess... for me at least. It get realatively good mileage on the highways. Wished it kept its value better.

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  fun for all - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Cuch - May 7 - 2:00 am

  handles very good in the snow or wet road i have a all wheel drive

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  Chronic Sensor Problems - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Melissa - May 6 - 8:13 pm

  Although a comfortable car, I have had chronic problems with the sensors since it reached about 13,000 miles. I currently only have 21,000 miles, and yet it has been in the shop three times this summer, and probably 8 times last summer. Every time they think they have found which sensor it is, a few weeks later the check engine light comes on after the car starts hesitating and what seems like misfiring. When you pay $26000 for a new car, you should be able to rely on it when you still have such low mileage.

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  sonata limited I4 2009 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alex - May 6 - 6:06 am

  This car is more comfortable than the 06 sonata. I get 26 mpg in the city and freeway combined. It is quiet and the stereo is the best. Love the xm and the price.

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  Best mid-sized sedan for the money - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robert Mayer - May 5 - 8:33 pm

  I took my time in my search for new sedan to replace the wifes Saturn SL2, driving just about everything available under $25K. Our main criteria were: 1) larger and more comfortable than the SL2 (Im 64"), 2) automatic transmission, 3) 4-cylinder for respectable gas mileage (our weekly commuting is 250+ miles), 4) leather seats, 5) power adjustable drivers and passengers side mirrors. After driving a dozen or so cars, I cut my list down to the VW Jetta, Mazda 6, Saturn Aura, Nissan Altima, and the Sonata. I think I would have been happy with any of these, but when the price was factored in, it became no contest with the Sonata beating them all by $2500-$4500.

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  Veloster beats every other car in its class - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By turboxxiii - May 5 - 4:55 pm

  I saw one of these on the road... stopped to test one on a whim one day when I was off work early... went back the next day and bought an electric blue one with the auto shifting double clutch. This car rules. I went and looked at other cars in this class, they cost more, and feature less. I took it on a 1600 mile road trip a week after buying it. The car saved my life from some crazy road rager, we drove circles around him. Powerful, fleet, surefooted, sexy and paying me back every time I go to the pump. Awesome!

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  2013 Sonata GLS - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By rlang - May 5 - 9:00 am

  Lots of interior room. AC cools quickly which is a must because of the hot Texas summers. Quiet and comfortable ride. Good gas mileage. Good trunk space.

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  Its a steal! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By fierysprite - May 5 - 3:56 am

  I bought my Hyundai in August of 2007 and havent looked back since. Its reliable, fun and roomy. When comparing to other similar type vehicles (equinox, RAV, etc.,) you simply cant beat the reliability and price.