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 Choice - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By acart - February 19 - 10:00 am

  After driving a minivan for 12 years, this car is a treat! Bought it in Jan. and I have driven it in all kinds of weather and on every type of road from highway to dirt/gravel and still have nothing negative to report. Very good traction on icy/snow. If all goes well, Ill be sending my son off to college in this car in a couple of years and feel that he will have a safe ride.

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  New owner - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By GiGi - February 19 - 7:30 am

  For 10 years I drove a Honda/Acura. In this economy I wanted to purchase the most for my money. The 2011 Sonatas interior has everything a person could ever want with a style that is comparable to any of the higher priced names. It handles well and is very comfortable.

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  No Complaints Here - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By T-S - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car brand new in December of 1997. Car has run well and has 133,000 miles and still runs fine. The drivers side door handle broke at about 90K, and the windows fog very easily. The inserts for closing the door on both rear doors pop out often. Mechanically it has held up very well. Change the oil every 3,000 and other maintainance as needed. Overall I am very pleased.

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  Thats how you build a car!! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By ss50 - February 17 - 6:06 pm

  I had been researching into getting a new vehicle and the infinite g37 had caught my eye, but upon further research i came across the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Im glad i did. This was a great purchase performance, style and reliability this is one top notch vehicle. I get constant stares and compliments i love this car and am glad i saved a large chunk of change by giving Hyundia an opportunity to gain my business..

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  Save your money- buy this car!! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Social Work Guy - February 17 - 10:20 am

  This is my 2nd Elantra, this time I stepped up to the GT package (with the moonroof and ABS) and do not regret it! It is a nice tight handling sedan, has much of the personality similar to the late 80s Hondas (back when they were FUN and not just appliances...). Super car for todays $$. I have been a diehard Honda fan for 20 years, I am a happy and elated Hyundai fan now! Drive this car before you buy any other compact- you wont be disappointed with the value. Oh yeah- gotta love that warranty. Only had 1 warranty repair in 75k on the old 2002 Elantra. Reliability is not an issue for this car.

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  I like it alot - 1996 Hyundai Sonata
  By noodle_head - February 17 - 2:00 am

  When i got on this website i looked through the cars i didnt find one my style or in my price range.Im sixteen years old and my parents are on a tight budget and i need a cheap car and this one looks real cheap and very nice.But i know i could not and cant really afford it so i guess im just gonna rate it.

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  My 1st Car - 1997 Hyundai Accent
  By Sweetiepie115 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I received my Hyundai as a graduation gift from high school. And in the 6 almost 7 years I had this car it has only had major work done to it 3x and I purchased it with 11k miles on it. The gas mileage is great considering this is my second vehicle. Overall I would buy another if they didnt depreciate value so quickly.

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  Brake, Brakes, Brakes and more Brakes - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By "D" - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Problems I have encountered 1. 16,500 miles some type of sensor caused the car not to idle when I put gas into the tank 2. 19,803 Front brake rotors resurfaced 3. 25,598 Front brake rotors resurfaced 4. 33,204 Front brake rotors replaced, pads replaced 5. 44,688 Front brake rotors resurfaced 6. 44,688 Rear shoes replaced 7. 45,000 door speaker stopped working 8. 48,000 Driver widow cable came of track and stopped working 9. 53,000 Passenger widow stopped going up all the way 10. 55,00 Driver window now making popping noise when I role it up 11. 55,000 The hood has rusted from the inside out

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  Solid car - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By thehub - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I brought this car brand new (my first new car purchase since 1982) last April 22nd. The hook was the 0% financing offer. I really like this car. No, its not a Honda or Toyota (Ive owned both), but as the ad says, its thousands less! I have not been sorry I made this purchase. I added XM radio, and with the standard 6 speakers it is better than my home stereo!

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  frijss - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By frijss - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my hyundia in 2000. The reason i bought it was for the warranty it turns out you really need it. I had no problems the first year of ownership. Just after a year it seems like i was at the dealership every couple of months. Some work was under warranty. Some wasnt . I wouldnt consider buying another one in the future.