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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  Great Transportation - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By scott - July 23 - 2:46 am

  Originally test drove a Sonata, loved it and my wife saw the Santa Fe. Test drove it and liked everything about it. We just got rid of a 1996 astro van and wanted mor of an automobile ride. fantastic stereo-plenty loud and excellent quality.

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  Love my van - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Martha - July 21 - 8:46 pm

  This is my first minivan ever and I am loving it! Lots of comfort and space, smooth ride,great stereo system and lots of power.

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  A Good Choice! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Joe - July 20 - 5:06 pm

  Bought my Santa Fe used to replace an Oldsmobile Intrigue with a 3.8 liter engine. It had been a rental with 6,000 miles. The ride is comfortable, has plenty of power to move in and out of traffic, it handles well, and it gives better mileage than my Intrigue. Around town I get 19.1 to 20.2, with 24- 26 on the highway (I get about 1.5 to 2.0 less MPG on ethanol blends). No mechanical problems. Purchase the rear plastic mat to cover you carpeting if you are going to haul anything dirty.

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  A Great Little Car for the Money!! - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By SloHands - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I really like my Elantra! It looks great for a 4 door car.Sporty and fun to drive. It is also very dependable.

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  Surprise - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By cosoccer - July 19 - 10:00 pm

  I was hesitant to look at a Hyundai due to reputation, but at the reviews I gave it a shot. I am so happy that I did, I was speechless after driving the Hyundai Elantra, is exceeded my expectations greatly. I am so happy that I purchased this car, I got some much more for my dollar compare to the Honda or Nissan. I am 64" and I fit nicely in this vehicle and the ride is very smooth for being a moderately priced sedan. The other big savings was in my insurance because of all the safety features and ratings the Elantra received. I would recommend looking into buying the Elantra to anyone, I am even telling my father to get one!

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  The best car you can ever pick!!!!! - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Ria - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this car for about 5 months, and already have over 1000 miles on it. I just love driving it.

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  You get a lot of bang for your buck! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By phantasman - July 19 - 10:00 am

  In October of last year, my (then) fiance needed to get ride of her Ford Explorer (the differential was due to go). She wanted a new car but didnt want a car that sold for more than $12,000. The reviews the Edmunds staff as well as the readers swayed us to try it out. That car is a BLAST to drive! It had tight handling, a lot of safety features (standard) and an overall nice feel. We just bought a 2003 Honda Accord LX and because I work 50 miles from where we live...I want to put the miles on the Elantra, rather than the Accord. However, I can say with complete honesty that I dont dread it. The Elantra is a joy to drive.

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  Couldnt be happier with my selection! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mike n MP - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I dont think i could have selected a more suitable car. this car is fantastic. i get 2nd looks on the street and get asked, "is...is that...a HYUNDAI?!" hehehe. versatile, comfortable and mated to the 5-speed create a great combination to make this car fun to drive!

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  Happy Customer - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Mike F. - July 19 - 3:00 am

  Ive owned Honda and Nissan products and were very pleased with them. I decided to give Hyundai a chance so I could get a few more creature comforts without breaking my piggy-bank open. I must say that I am more than pleased with my decision. I have over 80000 miles on my XG350L and have never had it in the shop for anything. No other car Ive ever owned was as comfortable, powerful and agile as the XG. Without question, the XG is the best deal in its class.

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  Stupid emissions! - 1996 Hyundai Elantra
  By warriorpoet78 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Elantra 4 door with 86 K bought it used, have had nothing but problems ever since. Ther pathetic engine is clean but makes it hard to accelerate at a stop sign. And those wonderful emissions controls that make the engine run like a deisel and not to mention the awesome(note sarcasm) blinking check engine light. Interior nice, though, reliable transportation, gas mileage lower that what specs say, 20-25 city, 25 highway max!