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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  Best Mid Size SUV!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By olebrumm - December 2 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is a great size (not too big, not too small), drives superbly, and you get soooo much value for the money. Sound system is great, seats are comfortable, lots of room in back seat and cargo area.

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  Sold my first new car in 1953 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By car man - December 1 - 10:26 pm

  Over 50 years in all phases of auto bus. Been new car dealer, new and used car manager, wholesaler and consultant to major car mfg. Have owned cars from 38 benz 4 dr conv to several Borgwards, hundreds of others. Wife had 08 Honda Civ with Navi. The civ was not for her. Traded it on 09 Sonata Limited "4" with Navi and BT. She had driven similiar Accords and Camrys. Man, I was happy when she drove the Sonata and said "this is the car for me". Just got back from Pa. (live in North Carolina) Stopped in Old Town Alexandria Va. to see my sis. On the road we got 34.1 mpg at 65 to 75 mph. Great ride. My wife doesnt care about body roll etc. Wont tell you the price. One of my all time best buys.

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  Too new to tell all - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By smithcha100 - December 1 - 10:03 pm

  Only purchased 1 week ago on the 12th of August 05. Very roomy on the inside. Still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles. Only down size is the gas mileage but it has been in the city and with the A/C on so could explain the 18 mpg rather than the 20 mpg expected. Of course, still breaking the engine in.

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  02 Hyundai Sonata LX - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By DeeDee - December 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is an outstanding value. With the single exception of horsepower, much more bang for the buck than Chrysler Sebring or Mercury Sable. Very comfortable and roomy interior. Unmatched warranty. Only irritation has been three incidents where "Check Engine" light came on due to an overly sensitive O2 sensor. Minor fixes, all under warranty, corrected them, but could have done without the inconvenience. Perhaps the recall on the oxygen sensor will finally take care of this. Otherwise delighted with the car.

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  Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By wallykos - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Although I have just purchased this veh. for less than a month, I love this little capable car. The performance on highway is quite impresive.

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  A Great Car at Any Price - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By SteveG101 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I am sold on my Sonata, having put 25,000 miles on it in 7 months and had absolutely no problems. The fact that you can buy a car like this for $20,000 is incredible. A lot of "expert" reviews say that the Sonata isnt in the same class as Honda or Toyota, but my wife owns a Honda and I cant see any difference between the cars in fit, finish or performance. It has very little engine noise and the power to merge easily into traffic. The steering is responsive and the brakes are solid. The back seat and trunk are huge for a car of this size. I bought this car to drive it into the ground, but I have a feeling that it may outlast me.

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  awesome - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By carrie hutson - December 1 - 2:00 am

  People tell me that my car looks rich. Some have told me it looks like a BMW. I am very pleased with the pick up as far as speed goes. The leather seats are very easy to keep clean. The interior is very roomy. Its just a sharp car all the way around. As a matter of fact, my husband wants to get one.

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  Love my Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By champsmom - December 1 - 2:00 am

  It is a brand new experience for my family. The ride is comfy like a car, yet you are elevated like a truck. It is classy without being snobby. You can see out of all windows. Ther is mucho leg-room, which is important for my husband.

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  The best of everything! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Faith_911_leonard - December 1 - 2:00 am

  This is my dream vehicle. Its the best of everything, first rate quality. I would recommend this to everyone!

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  review - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By alias2002 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Aside from the front windshield fogging up every time it rains, Ive had no complaints about this vehicle.