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! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Keith D. Powell - February 10 - 2:00 am

  For the price an extremely well made and solid car. Handles well and is more comfortable than what you would expect for a car in this price range.

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  Not your fathers Hyundai. - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By richard - February 9 - 11:46 pm

  Bought top of the line Limited, loaded with too many options to list. Compared to Accord, Camry, Mazda 6, Acura TSX, some smaller SUVs. This car wins hands down. Got great no hassle price for first offer from no pressure salesman lower than I would have paid. Great lines in this new model, lots of interior/ trunk space room. No rattles or problems as mentioned in other reviews. Fit and finish superb, great ride, quiet as a mouse. Love this car. Total winner by Hyundai.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By bjg - February 9 - 12:10 am

  After driving an SUV (Ford Explorer then Mercury Mountaineer) for the past 11 years) wasnt sure I could get used to driving at a lower elevation. But I am very comfortable in my Sonata. Not to mention the smoother ride and great gas mileage. On a recent 400 mile road trip driving between 65 to 75 mph got 33 mpg.

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  A Good One - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Taft - February 8 - 11:43 pm

  With less than 1000 miles I can still say that this is a really great car, especially when you consider the price. The fit and finish are superb, but the ride could be improved. The engineers should work on the rough and unsettled ride if they want to beat the big boys. We came from an MBZ 400E that was too old, but still gave us a great ride and handling. This is the first ownership of a car with all the bells and whistles, but were getting used to it and its fun. The acceleration is without peer and the interior quietness is excellent.

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  More 2 come - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By upsetw/professionali - February 7 - 10:53 pm

  My wife and I purchased a 2010 Santa Fe from the Wayne auto mall on route 23 on June 17. Before leaving the dealership we realized the hood did not open and the driver door did not close correctly. My wife was very excited with the new purchase and wanted to bring it back in the morning to be what we thought a half hour adjustment, she waited for 2 hours to be told that we might need a loaner. Should a brand new car have these issues? How will the dealership handle their faulty product? Will let all know the outcome

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  The Genesis is an instant Classic - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Daniel - February 7 - 7:23 pm

  Purchased a V6 3.8 Tech, Silver/black interior, Wing badges. Youll wont get a better car for the money. Classy looks on the outside incredible opulence inside. Well thought out design, comfortable seating, excellent handling, great power. and so quiet. The Genesis is the duplicating what Lexus did in 1989. This is my 5th Hyundi in the last 13 years. Every year they continue to improve their products and they hit this one out of the ballpark. From what I see and hear they seem to be attracting more BMW owners than any other luxury brand.

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  Excellent car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dchhill - February 6 - 8:30 am

  Excellent interior fun to drive also the room makes it all the more attractive. Steering control not as good as my previous car, Altima.

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  A Grand Slam - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob M. - February 6 - 8:00 am

  I was waiting for the Azera to come to market, but needed to buy an automobile immediately. This LX is above belief. I dont know how Hyundai does it. It looks similiar to the Accord, but $4,500 less. It has most of the bells and whistles that are found in vehicles costing thousands more. I know that in the past Hyundais dont hold their resale value, but I think this is about to change.

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  Hartmacs Tucson - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By HARTMAC - February 5 - 7:20 pm

  Fun, sporty and reliable! I love my SUV!

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Nancy - February 5 - 2:56 pm

  I couldnt really afford the Accord I wanted and the Civic was just too squaty looking. I saw an article in the paper about the Tiburon and Hyundai and was sold. It had the sunroof and 6- disc changer the I was looking for. It is a great car and I love to drive it.