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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  First SUV - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TAV - October 26 - 12:10 am

  After my 93 Corolla had finally had it, I decided to get an SUV. Actually wanted a VW Toureg, but fell in love with the Santa Fe since I could actually afford it. Had one issue a few months after purchase, was able to work around it and get it fixed (something with a valve in the fuel system). Being in northern MN, I do wish I would have gotten one that was 4WD or AWD. Drives well, and being almost 6 ft, I feel comfortable in it and in the back. Seats fold down nicely. Have used the roof racks for skis and for a luggage, went nicely. Power sun roof, very nice. I was very excited that it had a cassette player(my iPod connects easily) AC is very cold. Cruise work easily. Lots of storage inside

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  2004 Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hyundai Owner - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is AWSOME!!! Hyundai did a great job redoing the car and the standard features are a big improvement.

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  Leaky sunroof - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lemon? - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car into dealer four times still waiting for a fix. Very frustrating having to go back and forth to the dealer. Water continues to leak in around the sunroof.

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  Great Value for your dollars - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By J Date - October 24 - 10:00 am

  best Value ever for my $

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  Goodbye college beater car...hello style - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By arose - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought the SantaFe 6mo ago and have been very pleased with the handling and comfort. Definitely splurge for the LX edition and the sunroof if you can (haggle for the lifetime leather sealant and protection!) I paid $22K for mine (with 100K mile waranty, leather protection and 75,000mi maintance), and it was worth it!

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  go for it - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By happy - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I was very pleased with the power of the LX 3.5L engine. It has great pick up and handles very well in wet conditions. The only con that I have found thus far is the length of time needed to adjust the drivers seat in order to be comfortable.

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  Our Santa Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RickD - October 24 - 10:00 am

  It was time to buy the wife a new vehicle and she suggested the Santa Fe. I wasnt to happy about buying a Hyundai, but to keep her happy we went to the Hyundai dealer to take a look. I test drove the LX 3.5 AWD and was very impressed. I also drove the 2.7 FWD, but decided the 3.5 AWD was the way to go. This vehicle gives you more bang for your buck than any of the other vehicles we looked at. Just to let you know how much I liked this vehicle, 3 weeks after we took delivery on my wifes Santa Fe, I went out and purchased one for myself. Identical vehicles, but hers has a moonroof and mine doesnt, and of course we have different colors.

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  Hyundai kicks butt - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By JerBer - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I was doing a lot of research and comparisons and the Hyundai wasnt even in my search critiria, but kept coming up. So, I decided to give it a chance because my brother-in-law has one and loves it. I test drove it and immediatley was so impressed with the car that everything else pailed in comparison. The ride is firm and smooth, while being quiet and secure. The interior (dare I say it)is Toyota- like. The handling is precise and the engine is peppy. The care deserves to be looked at and not snubbed. Luckily, I changed my attitude and was rewarded nicely!!!

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  Heed my warning! I love this car, but... - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tracy - October 23 - 5:53 pm

  I love this car; the style, the way it sits on the road, handles the corners. Unfortunately for me I found out after the fact that Hyundai has some major transmission problems. I bought it at 33,000 miles as the 2nd owner and had a 60,000m warranty. The tranmission started acting up not too long after; losing 1st gear, not shifting out of 2nd gear unless you shut the car off. Hyundai said they couldnt find a thing wrong, until my warranty expired. Less than 2,000 later, they tell me I need a new tranmission. To the tune of $1,700. Now, just 1 1/2yrs, Im getting rid of it b/c its doing the same exact thing it did before the rebuild. Love the car but, please learn from my bad experience.

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  Great car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By GJH - October 22 - 10:00 am

  I dont know why Hyundai has kept this car a secret. Its a great all purpose car, lot of room for my sporting gear; my dog loves it. Hwy cruising gets in the low 30s and even stop and go suburban driving is around 28 mpg. Wheelbase is longer than the sedan, it is a nice thruway cruiser. Only complaint is the reverse lockout on the manual -- its a pull up type, Id rather just have a gear position. Ive had my Elantra Touring 1 1/2 yrs with zero problems. Im always recommending to folks looking for a great price with lots of features, and lots of utility.