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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  faulty engine - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By faulty one - June 20 - 11:40 am

  I like the car and it is good for road trips. lots of room and standard features. Thats a plus. I had the engine replaced at 13,000 miles and thats after not doing anything about it because the dealer kept telling me there was nothing wrong, but the car was shaking a lot. Now I have 22,000 miles and its doing the same thing.

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  Fabulous Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By jetstar88 - June 20 - 9:14 am

  I was initially undecided on whether to buy the Sonata or its sister, the Kia Optima. Kia also had an impressive exterior. The interior did not impress me at all. (Dash & console) I believe Hyundai just has better resale value to. I viewed the base auto GLS but had to add a few options, such as power seat, alloy wheels. Along with Bluetooth on the steering wheel. Ive owned close to 20 cars in my life. Including a brand new 89 Sonata. This car is the most luxurious and well appointed vehicle I have owned and for the least money.

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  Nice Car, but Should Get Better Mileage - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Tim - June 19 - 8:16 pm

  Just bought this car in Nov. 2009, and we have put a little over 500 miles on it. Spent 2 months car-shopping at the worst possible time: right after Cash-For-Clunkers, when the dealership lots are empty! We were attracted to the wagon-style, which is a style that is NOT popular in America. The other 2 cars we were considering was the VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI and the Honda Fit. Still in its break-in period, so dont really know about its mileage yet, but its EPA is 23 city, 30 highway (which should be better). Handling is great - we dont mind that it has a somewhat stiff ride. The SE has a lot of features that others in its class leave out: XM radio, heated seats & outside mirrors, etc.

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  XG350L - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Kazorm - June 19 - 3:36 am

  Excellent price- much more car for your money without the hype of other so called more established makes that are so overpriced.

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  2 Time Accent Owner - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By kjp022503 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 2001 Accent 2dr prior to this purchase. The 2dr ran well for the 2 yrs, never a problem other than a fuse and a minor recall. I needed a 4dr so I researched all the 4 door sedans under 15K and the Accent was once again the way to go. GREAT WITH GAS, the pickup is average(if I wanted a powerful engine I would have gone with another car), you are not going to corner well with the 13 inch tires. If possible I may move up to 14 inch tires for better handling. So far so good on the 2003, Excellent Value if you are looking for a car to get you from Point A to Point B

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  Sweet Car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By andrew1000 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is excellent! Its way better than a Toyota Celica and less expensive. Even on my model the SE it comes with leather and a pretty sweet sound system. Overall Id say its a great car for the money! Id choose it over a Toyota any day.

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  Love it! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By GatoRx - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Santa Fe for 3 months now I love driving it. It runs well around town and on the Highway. I like being up higher than in my Camry but it still drives like a car!

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  SanteFe...rocks - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rafter - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Although it lacks some of the amenites of other top end SUVs, even fully loaded...who cares...besides who really wants an overly luxurious costly interior getting muddy and dirty. Its great for hauling my skis..ski gear and friends to the mountain. All wheel drive is a pleasure up snowy mtn roads. Leather seats keeps my rear end warm on really cold days. For the price and warranty, thats the best part...CANT BEAT IT

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  Best car ever - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sandra Page - June 18 - 7:46 am

  I owned a Hyundai before and found it to be a comfortable and dependable vehicle. After owning other brands I am glad I came back. The car is still under warranty with 35,000 miles left. The tech package is everything I could want.

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  Best car for the money - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By quint26 - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Sonota for only six months and I seem to like it better every day. I drive 92 miles to work and it has been a very comfortable road car, very quiet, and good ride.