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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  So Much for the Money! - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Paul - September 14 - 7:06 pm

  We have owned our Tiburon SE for almost 2 years and cant believe the incrediable value of this vehicle. It is loaded with every bell and whistle and so much fun to drive. The exterior design is sleek and expensive looking.

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  Poor mans Lexus or smart mans Lexus? - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Hunter - September 14 - 12:46 am

  This new 07 Santa Fe will never be confused with previous years Santa Fes. With its upscale styling and car like ride this cross over vehicle offers many standard features you wouldnt expect in a Hyundai. My neighbor asked if I just bought a Lexus when I pulled my new Santa Fe into my driveway. He was shocked when I told him it was a Hyundai. The milage figres listed are 19 city & 24 highway. To date, my milage has been less. The owners manual suggested after 1200 miles the motor will be broken in so to speak. Im hoping for better gas milage down the road. I would suggest anyone looking for a mid sized SUV to seriously consider th 07 Santa Fe.

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  Genesis - Truly a Beginning - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By genesisdriver - September 13 - 4:52 pm

  Incredible experience! Speed/power, luxury and incredible sound system. Did I mention how fast it is? Looked at LexusGS350 but have no regrets. Car is a real head-turner.

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  All I hoped for, almost - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By Delighted driver - September 13 - 4:15 pm

  It is possible to find faults with this car. At interstate speeds road and wind noise are substantial. Sun light falls on the audio/navi screen making it almost unreadable. Otherwise the car is a pure delight to drive. I normally regret reaching my destination. The car is attractive, comfortable, powerful, and has many amenities. Cabin and trunk are spacious also. Just what I wanted excepting the two features mentioned above.

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  Nice Discovery - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jim - September 12 - 5:37 pm

  Was going to buy a Corolla on the C4C program, but a friend who works at CarMax recommended I give Hyundai a look. With the C4C, the $2K mfg incentive and some negotiating, was out for under 14G, incl tax. Very comfortable, smooth and quiet ride for a compact

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  Comfy, efficient, cute, SE is a good buy - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By thepod - September 11 - 10:35 pm

  I bought my Accent SE six weeks ago and have put 1900 miles on it since. I was looking for efficiency, reliabiltiy, cargo space, and a little bit of cuteness. I got all of that plus ABS, cruise, a decent stereo system with 3 months of XM included, a sunroof, and reasonably comfy seats. As to be expectied, its not monstrously powerful, but I can merge onto the freeway or climb a hill comfortably, albeit a bit noisily. When not laboring in one of those situations, the engine runs quietly and smoothly. It corners well, stops well and doesnt feel too mushy. I would have preferred an MT, but the AT was in stock so I went for it. Interior is laid out logically. Overall, a good value.

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  2011 SONATA - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Leanne - September 11 - 5:33 pm

  I have only had this car one week and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!! There is not one negative thing I can say. I did many hours of research and test drove 5 cars before I made this decision. I drove the Ford Fushion, Ford Taurus, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu and the 2011 Sonata GLS and SE. The Sonata kicked butt in every way from style interior and exterior to performance to warranty to price!!

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  Repeat Elantra buyer - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By leematthews - September 11 - 12:14 pm

  Have had my Elantra for a year and have had zero problems. Very smooth ride, good acceleration, nice interior and have gotten compliments in parking lots. My 2008 replaced my 2003 Elantra, which also had zero problems. I bumped into the buyer Sept. 09 and they have had zero problems with the 2003, and have gotten nothing but brake pads and oil changes at 75,000 miles.

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  good choise - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By jack - September 10 - 5:40 pm

  I have the limited and it is the best suv I had ever owned. I had an 2007 honda pilot and the veracruz wins by far. it is so quite on the road its hard to believe your moving, and the ride is the best, very smooth. This is my fourth Hyundai and they just get better, I had two Santa fe,s 01 & 03 and both were great. My wife has an 04 XG350L and had no problems. Hope this helps anyone looking at Hyundai.

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  Lights burn out its a bulb - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hersocute - September 10 - 9:22 am

  I love my car.It has the 100,000 mile warranty, I purchased the extended warranty have had no problems with it,The check engine light come on so your belts and things can be checked..Great car I would purchase another one...as far as the bulbs are concerned its a tiny little bulb that doesnt last a life time for the person that griped about changing the bulb..