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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  warranty does not matter - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By margot - January 30 - 1:00 pm

  I purchased a Hyundai because of the warranty. However, everything major that could go wrong with the car did (transmission, power steering, axle) and continued after the bumper to bumper warranty expired. Most of the Hyundai dealers closed, so you have to drive 15 miles to service a vehicle under warranty. Not a good sign. Also, the dealer I serviced it at, L.A. City Hyundai, would not cooperate with the manufacturer when warranty issues arose. I would never buy a Hyundai, regardless of the price or how long the warranty is. The aggravation of breaking down and having to pay for a rental car and waiting days for a part is not worth any warranty. I need a car that is reliable.

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  great value - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By john pinta - January 29 - 10:00 am

  as a BMW salesman for many years I wanted a good deal for my hard earned money, this Santa Fe delivered above my wildest dreams. A great value.

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  Almost too good to be true - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Leo Nolet - January 29 - 10:00 am

  The 3.5 Liter engine makes ALL the difference in the world. Pick-up is SENSATIONAL-better than w/other vehicles w/larger engines!Interior is well thought out w/large storage areas and well placed guages. I wish it had automatic lights and power seats to complete this as my dream vehicle. I would re-buy this model in a heart- beat!

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  Hyundai? yes it is - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By couchy - January 29 - 10:00 am

  this is a good car and hyundai become more and more great

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  Awesome Car - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Nicole - January 28 - 11:16 pm

  I have had this car just about a month now and have put 400 miles on it. The ride is great and the gas mileage is very good - about 23 mpg

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  Hyundai Veracruz Limited 2008 - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By SK Wilson - January 28 - 8:50 am

  Only had it two months... but love it! No complaints other than no ability to have a cargo cover.

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  Great car - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By JK - January 27 - 7:26 pm

  I love this car! It rides well, fits all of my stuff, bikes, painting canvas etc and looks great. On the highway, it really cruises and in the city, short stops have felt seamless. For the money, I would (and did) pick this car over all others in its class.

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  Better than Expected - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Watchin - January 27 - 12:10 am

  Ive come to enjoy this buggy more and more. Its an adult car! Even the back seat is adjustable for adults. You set the controls and it does what youd expect. ESP off and 4 Wheel lock work up to 25 mph then go to normal safety mode. When youre bogged down below 25 it kicks back in.. Great bad weather car!

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  awesome - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By bobbi - January 25 - 10:50 pm

  I love this car. i went from a 04 elantra to the 07 elantra. the design of the car is great. i really like the new look. its zippy and sporty. the interior is roomy and the blue dash lites are great. plenty of room for tall people. the ride is smooth and comfortable. i really love this car. before my o4 elantra i had a 96 accent and that was a very dependable too!

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  7 Month Review - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Jim - January 25 - 7:40 pm

  In early 2007, I reviewed many mid- sized SUVs to replace my leased 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was interested in the Dodge Nitro, but Chrysler wasnt interested in giving me an attractive lease. Same for the Jeep Patriot, no dealing with these folks. So I went Toyota and test drove a Highlander .. nice but boring. Tried a Honda CR-V.. the seats were so unconfy a test drive wasnt necessary. Went to Hyundai and test drove a SantaFe nice but the Veracruz was a no brainer!! I leased the GLS with the optional moonroof and heated seats. Four months later I was T-boned in the passenger rear quarter (not my bad). The ESC system worked great to stabilize the fish-tail and help me stop safely.