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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  The best I ever tried - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Nabuhodanosor - July 24 - 1:26 pm

  Before I bought my Tib I tried Toyota Celica, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Acura RSX. But Tib was the best! When I pushed the acceleration in the first time I realized that I will buy this car! It is driving as toy car! It is amazingly easy to drive! Yes,it is probably a little bit heavy, but overall it is pretty fast! It has more space than the Celica and more comfortable than Eclipse. It is tha best car I ever tried!

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  Poor Workmanship - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By thand - July 24 - 12:05 pm

  I was thrilled with my Hyundai until the clear coat started peeling off the hatch door and the drivers side mirror as well as rusting on the drivers side mirror. The wiper arms are rusting as well and I have just over 60,000 miles on my car. To me this is lousy workmanship. most of the time my car was parked in a garage at work so was only in the elements for limited amount of time. I have never owned a car in which the clear coat peeled. My daughter who also has a Hyundai is having the same problem. I did some research and found out that even some of the 2012 models had the same problem. This is why I would never buy another Hyundai product.

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  Lousy Bumper cover - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By freddiew - July 24 - 10:17 am

  I own this Santa Fe since last week of 2010. Driving is not too bad at all but last week while I drive in my parking space with almost no speed, the bumper cover fell off. I push most of the bumper cover back except the driver side corner. Body shop at dealer said must get another bumper at cost of $1078. Called Hyundai and they said drive in snow is not cover by warranty. Most bumper must meet 5mph requirement thus means this is a "TOFU" comparable bumper. Even I have the money to replace same thing will happen again if is getting near any snow or things. Disappointing................! Mistake to buy one!

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  Great - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ric Riel - July 24 - 2:00 am

  A great ride with the peace of mind of a great warranty. Has get up and go and was a pleasant drive on our 4000 mile vacation this summer. Zipped up the mountains of the northeast and flew thru the highways of the south. Im hooked for life.

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  just bought it - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rainbowmom - July 24 - 2:00 am

  great truck

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  good car except door handles - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve H - July 23 - 8:17 am

  Just wanted to add my experience to the list. Have had 2 outside door handles break off. Owned maybe 20 cars in 45 years, never had one door handle break off until this one. Have trouble reading the clock in the daylight.

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  Crashed the car and will never buy a Hyundai again - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By PAman - July 23 - 7:50 am

  After a long love/hate relationship. The steering and suspension were awesome.The car crashed with me in it with no known reason whatsoever. I had a near death experience. I was driving one morning and the car fishtailed twice on its own then went on 60 degrees angle to the left and crashed in a ditch!!!. The car was still in "Americas greatest warranty" and Hyundai really dodged it and denied any faults that can be with the car. After a couple of researches, the steering on models from 2009-2013 has a big problem of suddenly turning to the left and locking in that position causing crashed and fatalities. I was completely in love with this car and only using Hyundai dealership for maintenance and had a very horrible sad end. This car is not safe!!!!

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  DRIVE THIS CAR before you buy! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Chad - July 22 - 3:36 pm

  This car has blown me away from day one. This car is more comfortable, quiet and refined than my Altimas and Maximas ever were. The V6 makes this car a very quick sedan, and it stays composed at all times. At 80mph on the highway, its nearly silent. When you factor in the performance, VALUE, refinement, all the standard safety features and the warranty - this is the only car to buy.

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  Give it a chance... - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ILIKEITALOT - July 22 - 2:00 am

  After spending hours online researching car reviews and typical pricing-- I settled on two cars: Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda Tribute. I wasnt excited about the prospect of being a "Hyundai" owner (old bad rap). So, I test drove both twice. The Hyundai felt stronger,felt bigger, drove smoother, had the shiftronic (wife cant drive a stick) and had a far better Warranty offer. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and felt the price on the GLS with ABS+Traction was a great value. Ignore the past bad rap with this company and test drive a Santa Fe if you are in the small-ute market~ before the price goes up.

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  2001 tib silver - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By George Post - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car, some road noise. Drives like a sports car. Love it!