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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  Wonderous Car Blows away Japanese Co. - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bjord - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Elantra GT for 2 years now. Not once have I had a problem with it. Many people Have small issues (My parents own a Turbo New Beetle, its been in the shop more times than I can count for annoying problems, but not major ones) The Elantra is a modern marvel to the car industry. You get excellent standard options, good quality interior thats sporty and very functional (user friendly), an exterior design that has a nice design, with a slight agressive edge. The only issue with the car, which i have to complain about is the paintjob was ok. Other companies do better paintjobs, i think Hyundai goes too thin with their color, and the clear coat.

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  02 sONATA - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By PLEASED - November 13 - 10:00 am

  The four cylinder engine was supriseing at expressway speeds. fully loaded, Myself, 210lbs, son, 285lbs, wife 200 lbs. plus luggage Through the hills of Kentucky and Tenn. The car never bogged down from 80-85mph. very supriseing. The car was reasonably confortable, and handeled well at all speeds. It also looks good. I had thought about buying a 6 cyl, but can see no reason to do so. I averaged 30 mpg. from Ohio to the gulf coast. Its well worth the money. The warrenty is a giant bonus.

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  Better than most - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By J. Carson - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I shopped for other similiar vehicals and couldnt get the extras that I wanted at the price I wanted until I found the Hyundai. You get a lot more car for your money with this car.

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  WE LOVE OUR SONATA!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By COPSWIFE1950 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  WE SAW THIS SILVER SONATA & KNEW IT WAS WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR!!!

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  Excellent vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Max Robinett - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Zero problems. One recall for a label and one for something simple on the brakes

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  fun little car - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By carofin - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my Santa Fe. Just the right size, sassy and efficient, she (doesnt she look like a she?) has been reliable, affordable and just down right fun.

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  Nice Vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ernest Winterkorn - November 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the first foreign auto I have ever owned. I found it be very satisfactory in every respect. It performs in every way that the manufacture says it will. Im also very happy with the way it looks and handles.

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  excellent vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By S Pasquale - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I owned a 2002 Santa Fe and then traded up to a 2004. I absolutely love it. Its great on gas and I love the design, not boxy like the other SUVs

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  Great SUV - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bjp2004 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Great Car, Great Size!!

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  2003 Sante Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ginny - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for about 18 months. I am very pleased as is my family.