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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  good for its value - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By abdullah - January 22 - 3:06 pm

  steering audio controls are bit confusing and bold. when holding break anything on the seats is thrown down. it had skidded once when turninng but i found that tier presser was 42psi. good looking body but very easy damaged.

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  2009 Hyundai Genesis Experience - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Happy Car Owner - January 22 - 1:00 pm

  Im so glad that I bought this car. I planned to buy a Lexus but I decided to buy this car after researching about this car. Im so glad that I made the right decision and I like my Genesis very much. This car performs just like the article in the February 2009 Consumer Report issue decribed.

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  4000 miles and still good - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By blip22 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive drven my SF GLS for 4k miles and I have no problems at all. Mileage is reaching what Hyundai has put out, and Im happy with the way its performing, especially since Pittsburgh is a very hilly area. Im happy I got the FWD instead of the AWD, since the engine really needs more HP. I respect Hyundai for coming out with HP issue and offering the additional warranties. Just shows you what kind of a company they are - respects their customers very much.

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  Carls review on the new XG350L - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By revdrcarl - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I like this car, and suspect that it will only improve in power and styling in the years to come. Hundai makes a highly under rated and quality mid-size automobile.

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  my new hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By JOHN - January 21 - 7:20 pm

  We purchased our new Veracruz limited in July and traded in our 02 expedition eb. I really didnt think I would be happy with a smaller vehicle after driving an expedition for almost 7 years, but guess what, I am. This vehicle has more technolgy than I know what to do with. When I pass a Lexus, I dont see any difference. Maybe a lot less, but they look alike. Considering all the cuvs out there to choose from, I think this Hyundai is one of the best. Its a lot of car for the money.

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  2017 Beautiful Elantra - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sharon - January 21 - 9:53 am

  I leased my Elantra from Freehold Hyundai (Manny Lopez). Great customer service and a great deal. My car is beautiful and HYUNDAI always changes things up and makes this car better and better. Great car for and a great value!

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  Good, sharp looking car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By GreenEnvy22 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our Elantra VE for a month now, and it has been great so far. The car seems solidly built, the engine is smooth and has decent power. The suspension is a good compromise between sporty and a smooth ride. We like the large trunk space and the materials for the seats. The dash is clearly laid out and has the imporant information on it. Fuel economy is good, not great. Comparing this to my sisters 04 Corolla, I think we got the better car for our dollar. For the price we got all the power options and a great warranty. Interior room is similar in the two, This is the first non-GM Ive bought and so far am happy with the purchase.Financing 0.9% for 72mos

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  Nice car, poor tranny - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MarcBaltimore - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle because I needed versatility on the cheap. It has delivered. The fit and finish is excellent. Interior space is great. Im a wood worker and it has hauled plywood and long boards well. I only have 4000 miles on it so reliability is still to be determined. My only complaint is the automatic transmission. It is slow, stupid and easily confused. If you put the pedal down hard, it has horrible lag and then when the foot comes up the engine/tranny are still confused. Wish this was better.

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  first SUV - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By heybro - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Excellent first time SUV. I had been following the ads for sometime and I did compare, as the ads suggest, the RAV4 and other vehicles.... I knew what I didnt want and then I test drove the Santa FE and knew that is was right....

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  Great car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By El dog - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven over 32000 miles in this car since Feb. 2000. No major problems, and its a powerful small vehicle with 140hp. I have the five speed which lets me keep up with the big guys. I cant think of a better car for the money.