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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  Great Car - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By run42k - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I was initially skeptical in buying a Hyundai, but Im glad that I made the purchase. The warranty is great. I have only had a few minor problems that the dealer took care of with no questions. The price was very reasonable.

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  Great little ride - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By WaxhawBoater - March 18 - 12:40 pm

  I was skeptical of the Hyundai Sante Fe after driving Jeep Grand Cherokees for the last 13 years (I still have two of them) however; I am impressed not only from performance to design. I really like my Hyundai and Oscar at Lake Norman Hyundai, Huntersville, NC was great to work with.

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  better than expected! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By endless - March 18 - 7:00 am

  i used to drive 2007 camry v6 SE for 4years and decided to get a sonata ltd w/ navi just because it has all the features i wanted, ride is smooth, suspension is bit stiff but i like it. after few hundred Km of driving. i like this car better than Camry! except that Camy was V6 with more HP and torque.

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  I love my sonata gls - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Christopher - March 18 - 2:41 am

  Have alot of fun driving it to and from work on highway it does whatever I put it up to for a Hyundai it got alot of power one day on the highway going to work a bmw went pass me and I got on it just a lil bit and she to right off no problem I love it looking to buy another one for my wife she also like driving it great car good power and good gas mileage.

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  HYUNDAI A WINNER - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kerry - March 17 - 8:10 pm

  Love this SUV! I have been extremely happy with the vehicle. I have been a loyal Toyota owner until the Santa Fe. I hope to get many years out of this vehicle. I have had to evacuate LA. 2 times in this SUV and am glad I had the room both inside and with available roof racks. Would definitely recommend the factory installed tow hitch..could have used it. Would drive this SUV anywhere.

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  What a car! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By young - March 17 - 5:20 pm

  I love this car! The passing power is superb and I havent had any problem for the last two years and half. Some people complains about its engine noise but I like it. The handling and cornering is excellent, which makes me feel very safe when I drive this car. Also, I love the front reading lights which the other cars of the same class dont usually.

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  Smooth ride for smooth roads - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By DCKID - March 17 - 1:30 pm

  I really loved this car when I purchased it in Fl. It had a great exterior and the sound system really pumped! I never had mechanical trouble or any trouble for that matter until I came to DC. The numerous pot-holes took a SERIOUS toll on the high performance tires. In the course of 2 years I blew 4 tires, and replaced more then 10. It was fun to drive but only on smooth streets, you can feel EVERY SINGLE NOOK&CRANNY in the street! Buyer beware if you live somewhere with jacked up roads!

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  Middle East Tuscon User- Desert- City - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By wild wild jo - March 17 - 11:40 am

  Great. Use it in the desert in deep sand without any problems...as long as I remember to reduce the air in my tires. Use it on steep mountain roads. And in the city. lots of room...all seats fold right down flat including front. all passengers have told me they feel comfy. Have put 50,000 kms in one year...and am a girl !

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  I love my little Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Debbie of Lakeland - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I have to travel alot around town, it is great on the gas milage and it looks smart. I have always had large vechiles mostly vans so this was a big change, yet a good one, it is fun to drive and the get up and go is nothing like any 4 cyl. engine I have ever driven.

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  Hot looking car, low price - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By jerryjryan - March 16 - 9:00 pm

  3200 miles so. Nice car for the money. I buy new car every two years. I buy what I like. This year I bought the sonata se, looks good, good gas mileage.