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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  Possible Hyundai Convert - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By PapayaMoo - October 10 - 1:33 am

  The 08 Santa Fe is one fun car to drive. It feels light and responsive and the acceleration is very good. The novelty of the blue dashboard light wears off for me fairly quickly but everything is well lite and functions appropriately.

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  Best Car You Can Buy at 20K - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By by Chuck - October 10 - 12:50 am

  Hyundai sonata is very quiet. The curiosity led me to collect noise level data from internet. Here is my finding. Only Lexus LS430 is better than Sonata. It is a remarkable engineering achievement for a 20K car to have its interior noise level lower than those of 2006 Lexus GS430 V8, 2002 Infiniti Q45 V8, and 2005 MB E500 V8, and comparable to that of BMW 745i V8.

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  Bought it for the Kids! It pays off! - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Greg from Philly - October 9 - 2:36 am

  I was weary about leaving the Honda family (5 cars bought) and trading in my Firebird, but now that Im a daddy twice over (not at once that God!), its time to think kids. I bought the Tucson (a 4-cylinder, FWD) thinking how can this compare to Hondas reputation...Well, with all the little great things about the interior for me and the kids, the gas mileage and air bags (one big interior balloon!), it was a no-brainer. The CRV is nice, but boxey and over- priced. Toyota, never liked. Anything American-made, lousy junk (sorry USA). Granted its not my Firebird, but the features, warranty, price, build, and SAFETY for my kids is worth every penny. It also looks nicer than the Sante Fe!

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  Great car for the money! - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By The reseller - October 9 - 2:00 am

  This car is excellent in just about every way. I have to try the new tires some of you suggested. It helps to be going downhill but the car moves right along. I have no complaints. I bought it for the gas milage, not the horsepower. (obviously) Car looks much better than the older ones. Great inside and out.

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  Sonats - 2016 Hyundai Sonata
  By Cml - October 8 - 7:49 pm

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  Very Pleased - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Roger Fellers - October 8 - 12:23 pm

  I am very pleased after one month and 15oo miles. The car is very responsive, comfortable, and fun to drive. I am very happy with the fit and finish, the number of conveniences, and the ride and handling. In town mileage a little disappointing, highway very good at 30- 31 mpg.

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  My little red GT - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By nationalcarriers - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Only problems Ive ever had were with the roof bracket. It keeps coming loose and Ive had it fixed now three times... this time I only made it about 7 miles from the dealership and its loose again. Other than that, I love this car!

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By cdbluejr - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car I have ever had (I have had a few). Lasted 6 years without any major repairs. Needs engine work now (93,100). Heater quit working last year (summer, 2002).

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  A GREAT LITTLE CAR - 1996 Hyundai Accent
  By FJP6910 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Have made many trips in the 250 oneway range over the years and never had a problem. Made several 3500 mile oneway trips..had no problems, was comfortable and loved the mileage. Has been virtually NO MECHANICAL problems since buying it new.

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  Worth the Money - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bloodclot - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I have roughly 7800 miles on my Sonata and its been a great car from day 1. I do 95% city driving and I get a consistent 20MPG. The only problem Ive encountered was about 80 miles ago the engine light came on while I was driving. The dealer fixed the problem with no charge and no hassles. Power wise, its no drag racer but has been more than adequate for my needs. Handling has been good but there is body roll in sharp turns. The ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable. My 9 year old daughter loves the fold-down center console in the back seat. The build quality is excellent. It really is a tight and solid car.