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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  Solid car - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Andy - June 3 - 7:56 am

  Great performance. Handles well. Best sports car for the price. So far no major issues with the car. Smaller issues with radio, sunroof were immediately handled under the warranty.

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  PROBLEM CAR - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Chrystal - June 2 - 9:53 pm

  I have owned this car less than one year and its not a good car. Check engine light has came on 3 times, took car in three times for noise when shifting and acceleration problems. Currently my car is sitting in the shop, and has been for a week. They replaced my transmission, motor mounts, transmission mount, and reprogrammed my ECM and my car is still not running correctly. Luckily it only has 55,000 miles and is still under warranty. This car has more problems than it was worth and I have big time buyers remorse from this purchase. I have called Hyundai directly to note my dissatisfaction with their company but they dont seem to care. Always have to wait for parts on car too.

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  Three and a half years & still impressed - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kathy - June 2 - 4:46 pm

  I bought my Santa Fe in July 05. This month (12/08), I had to take it to the dealership for the first problem I have had - it needed a new thermostat, which was covered under the warranty. My time is precious and I appreciate the reliability of this vehicle. Will buy another Hyundai if this one ever wears out!

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  Good and Bad Experience - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Calvin - June 2 - 3:20 pm

  I bought the car brand new which was a big mistake but oh well, live and learn. Our Sante Fe currently has 85K miles and is a strong and comfortable runner. It drives nice and has a solid feel to the car, Hyundai has definitely improved the quality of their vehicles since they were introduced to the U.S. I was very sceptical about buying one except for the excellent reviews from the car mags. Anyway, it didnt take but about 20k miles before we had a squeaky belt problem which the dealer fixed but it has happened time and time again. Also at the 84K mile mark the transfer case started to leak oil, luckily it was under the warranty and they fixed it no questions asked. Im selling it now!

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  great car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By David - June 2 - 12:23 pm

  so far so good it seems like a great car

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  Best vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Chris - June 1 - 2:10 pm

  This suv turns heads. I had a guy pull along side me and ask me about it. I had a neighbor who owns a Lexus suv tell me he really like my vehicle.

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  My Car - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By J Dillinger - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This is my third brand new Tib. I got on in 2002,2003,2004 and the only reason i keep going back is this car is just plain outstanding.I have beaten 325 BMWs on the highway. This car is the best

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  Te-Dos Evaluation - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Ted Kozikowski - June 1 - 10:00 am

  My Tiburon was purchased in Dallas, Texas. After driving the car back to Colorado Springs through the high plains of New Mexico and the mountains of Colorado I can honestly say this is the first coupe Ive ever owned that climbed Raton Pass, NM in 5th gear. It was an eerie feeling knowing that I had to keep an eye on the speedometer otherwise I would unknowingly exceed the speed limit because the car held the road so well. The car overhead is too low to offer seating comfort in the back seat for an average adult. Otherwise I am thoroughly impressed with my Tiburon.

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  WISE CHOICE - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By MINI TERMINATOR - June 1 - 10:00 am

  GREAT BUY. THE CAR IS FUN TO DRIVE AND GETS EXCELLENT GAS MILEAGE. THE STANDARD FEATURES AND WARRANTY FOR THE PRICE OF THE CAR CAN NOT BE MATCHED. BUY ONE!

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  Great Car! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By AndreaCarrot - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable and affordable. This car looks expensive but isnt! With a warranty like Hyundai offers- you cant go wrong.