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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  VERACRUZ Limited - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Shelby24 - December 25 - 11:20 pm

  Have just purchased my first Hyundai and am I immpressed with the Veracruze!! Test drove the Mercedes M class, Lexus RX, Honda Pilot, and VW before visiting the local Hyundai dealer...I felt like I was in a 40k+ SUV during the test drive, gorgeous leather, smooth (and extremely quiet) engine, phenomenal handling, and above average interior materials. With all the std safety features, warranty, third row seat,and added little features I feel like I purchased a great SUV, but also a great value.

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  A Terrific Ride! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Vickie - December 25 - 2:30 pm

  I researched SUVs for close to two months but when the Tucson became available I knew it was the car I wanted. The safety features including stability and traction control are what sold me. At first glance people compare it to the Lexus SUV. I feel safe driving this car!

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  HOT! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Mathi - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I owned an 84 Camaro and as I was sitting in the shop, I saw a magazine and was reading it and they had an article about the new Tiburon and I saw it and decided that I had to get it. I went to the dealership didnt test drive it, didnt argue over the price and got it. Its been a lot of fun it. I just had a cold air intake and cat back exhaust added to it and this thing really picks up. I was able to beat a turboed Eclipse with it. By the way, I am 56" so I fit in it nice and snug. I had a friend drive it and he said it "drove like a dream." This car is purely amazing and a heck of a lot of fun to drive.

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  Great Little Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By RustyFrenn - December 25 - 10:00 am

  In less than 100 miles driven, I am very pleased with the car, which came loaded with options as standard. My one concern was sheet metal that seems very thin. A hood that has to be propped up with a rod. Brakes seem mushy and uncertain, would like a more solid feel. Does not seem powerful at all, but it suits me fine for $12,800 including sales tax. List was over $15,000 inc. tax. Very happy with it for the price.

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  Great Car and keeping on being great - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis - December 25 - 7:20 am

  Traded in a 07 Corolla. Wanted more car and was doing a 67 mile round trip commute. Needed good mpg and Hyundai delivers the same mpg as the Corolla did. We recently have had back-to- back blizzards in MD and my Sonata never let me down. No need for AWD or Four WD with the Sonata having FWD and traction control coupled with Triptronic auto transmission. I love the car. Car is luxurious in GLS trim.

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  JD Power & CR: Hyundai beatsToyota-Honda - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By James from tampa - December 24 - 4:26 am

  According to JD Power & CR, Huyndais have better initial quality and overall dependability than Toyota and Honda for 2006, which is consistent with Edmunds Sonata, Camry, and accord midsize shootout with cars evenly priced. After the research, I found myself in a car with a 10 year warranty (instead of 3), better initial quality by JD Power, greater dependability by Consumer Reports, Na V6 w/235 HP, full curtain side airbags, Vechile Stability Control, Traction Control, full power, a sun roof, Alloy wheels, great interior fit and finish, more interior space, a quiet er ride that accord or camry with a auto manual shifter and performance to match. Gotta test drive one and see for yourself

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  Drivers side window in door lock - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Robin pound - December 23 - 9:56 pm

  I have a 2004 Hyundai Elantra I have had trouble with the lock working for all the doors window going up and down I have replaced the window I have replaced the part for the window so it works when it wants to if not I have to walk around the car to lock the doors had it fixed it Ricart when I first bought it had it fixed it three other garages and its doing it again they need to recall

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  300k+ miles - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By fansh - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Now @ 301,000 miles. Motor just started to make noise. Trans just started slipping between gears. All orig equip. but for: tune-up/filters, a/c compressor, a/c block, inside fan motor (x3), rad., alt.,on 1st replacement rotors (1st brake job @ dealer @ 80k miles). Still on orig suspension. No motor nor trans work except normal maintenance. Some oil changes @ 10k miles. Remarkable auto to keep up with me.

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  Forget it - 1999 Hyundai Sonata
  By dchick - December 23 - 2:00 am

  The worst car Ive ever owned. The problems are so numerous. Replaced timing belt sensor, timing belt, power- window cable, THREE wheel bearings, engine mount bolts. And all of these were not under warranty because of mileage. My car literally fell apart after 60,000 miles. Never again.

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  Not too bad! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By MRiley - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This is not a bad car to own, however you should make sure you want to keep it for more than 2 years if you buy one. The resale value has not bounced back from early bad reviews, so if you finance, you may find yourself owing more than its worth if you try to sell too soon. On the up side, its comfortable, has a great sound system and looks nice on the outside. I like that an affordable car came with a power moonroof and CD player. The gas mileage could be better, but is within the acceptable range.