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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  Outstanding buy, everything is standard - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Scott Walker - October 12 - 11:10 am

  I recently purchased a XG 350 after 5 years of driving the Cadillac Catera 1999. One would think that the CTS was next on my list, but no-----. I wanted a car moderately price that gave me bang for the buck. From the quick excelleration of the DOHC V6 to the look that has been described as a Jag or a Lincoln. The XG 350 is a lot of car. The seats, the woodgrain panel, the carpet all gives me a feel of being treated well. I know potholes and spring time is New England is full of potholes, but the ride and control I have over the XG350 keeps me riding real smooth. This is truly an example of a hungry car company working hard to please.

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  cheapest and nicest car i ever bought - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By niceDave - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This car gets great gas mileage and is fun and easy to drive.

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  2003 Hyundai Sonata 6cy auto - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robert McNamara - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I reside in WV but had to travel to Ohio to get a good price. Limited Hyundai dealers in WV means no competition=poor bargaining power=higher price to consumer. Classy design looks elegant. Get the moonroof, its worth it. I paid $16,100 & took the special financing & feel I got a good deal. Buy at end of month & you will get a better deal due to dealers making their quotas. I just got back from Wilmington, NC and the car ran flawlessly. The warranty is incomparable. Buy this car & you will be in love with it.

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  900 Mile First Impressions - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ceprise - October 11 - 4:20 pm

  Well. I am certainly impressed! Superb fit, finish and dealer prep. I bought with input using my friends satisfied experience with his 2005 Santa Fe. After riding in my 2008, he complimented the leather interior, greater interior space, the cool blue instruments and knock-out sound system. My last ride was a beloved 1996 Mazda MPV AWD with 178,000 miles. But blue smoke and electrical gremlins in wet weather required a change. I extensively researched the specs on Edmunds.com of similar vehicles. I wanted a boost in gas mileage over the 15 MPG of my Mazda, with better interior dimensions and comforts. The 2008 Santa Fe was the same dimensions, but better 1st and 2nd row seating and +5 MPG.

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  Just bad as in good, head turner - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By genesis1 - October 11 - 10:36 am

  Only have had this car a week and love the ride, the speed and great looks. Although the 6cyl has substantial power, the 8cyl is the way to go.

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  Dis-satisfaction - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By wasp2 - October 11 - 5:57 am

  I am really unhappy with my choice. There are only 50 thousand miles on my car and they have to replace the transmission. Now I have gotten very nervous about what will happen further along the way. I had a Toyota Corolla with 134 thousand miles on it and have never had to replace anything. All I did ws normal maintenance for usual wear and tear. A few months after I pruchased the Elantra the seat covers started sagging and they told me it is normal wear. I don t know what experience others have had with their Elantra, I would some feedback.

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  Forget the Mini Cooper - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By tsky - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after looking at all the other models in its class and hands down the Accent GT was the best buy! I have in quartz green and people comment on the cool color everywhere I go. Not to mention the cool white tack like those in the Porche 911 the great warrenty.....I mean all cars lose their appeal after a while, why not have one that looks cool and leaves you money to go have fun...great, great car.

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  BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By D - October 10 - 9:40 pm

  Great car so far. Read reviews here and was worried about the trans... no problems. 3rd row is perfect for our kids, but would not put an adult back there. feels bigger than it is. very smooth. love the blue lights everywhere. lots of features you wouldnt expect at this price.

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  WOW - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By hornyman - October 10 - 9:20 pm

  Just returned my 2007 Nissan Altima SL as my lease expired (which I enjoyed very much during my lease term) and was considering to lease a 2010 Altima SL again...until I read and test drove the new Sonata. WOW! Love the styling,ride,warranty and all the standard options on the Limited model which i just leased.Purchased the Phantom Black without the NAV option from Global Auto Mall in NJ (great people!)anyway... been driving it for a few days and really enjoying it. Only thing I sense is that the engine is slightly louder than my Altima maybe due to the fact it had a CVT transmission. Interior, XM and HD radio as well as front and rear heated seats is crazy! A headspinner on the road too !!

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  Happy with Hyundia - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By dvzee1 - October 10 - 4:46 pm

  Our first Hyundai. Impressed with fit and finish, ride and driving. Car drives very smooth for its truck listing. Very good on comfort, my wife is 5 foot and I am 61". Fits us both. Appearance wise we are very pleased with the Beige exterior and saddle leather interior. We were impressed with the way Hyundai backs there product.