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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  Catch 22 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Blue Kaz - May 2 - 2:06 pm

  This is my second Hyundai (1st was 2001 Elantra). I have learned one thing: You either get a great car with your average annoyances or a piece of garbage. My 1st Hyundai was the latter. It was as useful as a paperweight with wheels, but this one hasnt been awful. I bought it because the price was right (kind of) but I got and extra 5y/50Km (total 10y/100Km) BUMPER TO BUMPER for $1000, so I figured whatever went wrong was their problem. This one is fun enough for me to drive (I practically live next door to work), is comfortable on road trips and has given me great gas mileage (26 city/30 hwy). Read the manual about the "break-in" tips and FOLLOW IT!

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  Personal Crash Test - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lionstate - May 2 - 10:00 am

  We actually bought two Santa Fes in two months. Shortly after we purchased the first one, we were rear ended and driven into a rock wall. The car was totaled, but my wife and 6 year old daughter escaped without a single injury. The ABS brakes worked well and so did the air bags. The frame of the car maintained its form and the damage was primarily external. So we bought a new one, everything was the same except the first one was the 4 cylinder and this time I purchased the 6 cylinder. The power is much better and Im glad I went for the upgrade.

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  Dont buy a Hyundai Genesis - 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By davidirn - May 1 - 4:12 pm

  We bought a new Genesis coupe in 2011. This is the worst mistake of our lives. It is by far the cheapest vehicle we have ever owned. The ride is so stiff and uncomfortable. We dont dare take it on long trips. The road noise is so bad you cant even hear the stereo or hear yourself think. The interior is so cheap just touching the interior causes marks that will not come off. The navigation system has taken us to places we never programed it for. After owning it for just a few months we had to take it back to the dealer to have the seats replaced because the stain on the leather was wearing off and white spots are coming thru. The transmission is very difficult to shift. Dont buy!

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  Great Car and Even Better Value - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By A. Bratone - May 1 - 8:54 am

  Having leased Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW over the past 25 years, I was looking for a car that I wouldnt be paying for a name but was a great automobile. I found it with Hyundai Genesis.I love the exterior design, interior finish, power, electronics, sound and ride. Highly recommend thus car

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  Great Deal - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By RAN - April 30 - 5:36 pm

  I love to drive, so I was picky about the pick up power and handling. I love the shiftronic transmission. I like the looks. Plenty of room for family or friends, and all your stuff. But why I decided on this over others in its class was the fact that the Tucson had all the amenities of the other vehicles, at a better price, with a better warranty. What more could I ask for?

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  my tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By mike - April 30 - 1:03 pm

  I had a toyota rav 4 and this is a lot more roomy. I can haul my dogs around in comfort and love the way the back seats fold down.

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  My Personal Opinion- for what its worth - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By B. Lougnot - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car used for a few reasons: 1) It was affordable 2) It looks nice 3) It was comfortable 4) I liked the features. I have had no mechanical problems at all. I change to oil as required. At which time all belts, hoses, etc. are checked. Ive havent had any problems with anything. I take care of her.......she takes care of me!!! Yes, my car is a she. Overall, shes a great car and as a single mom who cant afford any extra expenses, this car is perfect!!!

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  Transmission and Steering Problems - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By Mr. Pitt - April 30 - 2:00 am

  For owners or prospective purchasers of an XG350 be aware that Hyundai is hiding some information. The erratic automatic transmission may be caused by an "accelerator position senson" which I just had replaced. If you are having problems with wheel alignment or tire wear as I have be advised that they have had to install adjustable rear ball joints on some of these cars because they wheels cannot be properly aligned or wont hold an alignment. I speak with personal knowledge and my source of information is highly placed.

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  cute & fun - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By liss - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I got a manual & have soo much fun driving it. I get good pick-up cause its a light car & passing is easy. Mine has a spoiler which makes it unique & stylish.

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  Great car for the money. - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By ChrisBier - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Have had only one problem when I brought the car. Alternator did not function properly. The dealership ordered the part and it was replaced within a week. Car is always on the road.