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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  Great car - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Alfred Padilla - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I love my car so far. Reliability I do not know yet but with a 10year power train and 5 year bumper to bumper makes me comfrotable.

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  The Standard for Value - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Patrick B. McMonigle - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Owned at least a dozen cars, 4 of them Hyundai Elantras. Each better than the last. Most satifying car ive ever owned. Havent found a better value, or better coporate-buyer relations. Low resale value more than made up for with warranty & repeat buyer incentives. This is the first car ive owned that i cannot imagine trading in before the wheels fall off (not likely).

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  Great Car for the Money - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ed J. - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 2004 Sonata 2 months now and have had zero problems. Im really impressed by the build quality and the standard features included for the price. Im really glad I didnt spend thousands more on a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. The Sonata looks much better too in my opinion. The Accord/Camry have extremely bland exterior styling if you ask me.

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  A good affordable car. - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By fje66 - September 10 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with my Elantra GT. A very comfortable and competent car with lots of features at a great price. The hatchback is very functional, but with a more traditional sedan type of exterior design. I find the car is particularly suited for highway travel (quiet and comfortable with good power at highway speeds and speed senisitive steering).

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  Everything except accelleration - 2012 Hyundai Veloster
  By r3v00h - September 10 - 9:01 am

  Im a mid 20s average guy, I needed a car that I could afford but also one that didnt look like a little uh, you know. The veloster is awesome, I love everything about it, the MPG (realistically 28/37 but Ive got it up to around 32/42) and the mean front end. The car is a work of art and you really need to go test drive one to appreciate it, if you can find one, all of my dealerships sold out in a hurry. Speed demons (like me) will be disappointed at its speed off the line, but its makes up for that with handling, a smooth ride, great looks inside and out, and a pretty good warantee. I dont know about you but it works for me.

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  transmission update - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By m. wolf - September 10 - 7:36 am

  In my 6/6/05 review, I mentioned the transmission was shuddering sometimes when it shifted. After seeing some others that had the same problem, I took it to the dealer and asked about a possible faulty trans sensor. The dealership called me 4 hrs later and said I need a new transmission because it has a bad torque converter(?)! My car only has 32,000 miles on it, and I just bought it in 2/2005. But, the 5yr/60,000 mi warranty is still good until 3/06/2006 (and it did transfer), that was a close one! I still like the car but Im not quite as confident about it getting me where I need to go - safely.

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  2011 Equus in MD/DC - 2011 Hyundai Equus
  By Kevin - September 9 - 8:40 pm

  Yes, its a Hyundai. For the price, style, economy and features, you cannot beat it. I purchased this car in 2013 with 21,000 miles on it. Primarily used for over-the-road travel and can say, it is worth every penny spent. I changed the standard air filter with one by K&N, which has improved my fuel economy to 17/28, with an average combined economy of 21 mpg.

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  OCD type absolutely impressed - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rozyred8 - September 9 - 8:40 am

  Needed a bigger vehicle. Looked at Toyota Rav4 and Highlander. Highlander with similar features is outrageously priced while Rav4 has to few features (no nav, etc.) and price too high in comparison of Santa Fe. CRV too soccer mom-looking for us. I must say I smile every time I get into this car. The entire dash and fit and finish is beautiful. (we have black leather w/ black dash) Blue lights contrast beautifully. Sound system great, gas mileage similar to what everyone else says...but something to be noted that not everyone says is the quietness of the ride. My mom has a Lexus 330 SUV and this is MUCH quieter than her car. Solid ride that makes you feel good to be at the wheel.

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  One Year Report - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chas - September 9 - 6:00 am

  We have now owned our Santa Fe for one year and so far still very satisfied. Other than a minor paint problem we have done nothing to it but change oil and rotate tires. The performance and ride is still very responsive and quiet. Body integrity seems to be holding up with no significant squeaks or rattles. I just replaced the cabin air filter and I have one word of advice...do it on schedule. I was amazed at how dirty it was. All in all I really have nothing to complain about.

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  squeaky noise - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By sammy13 - September 8 - 7:00 pm

  everytime i turn to the right or the left side my car makes a squeaky noise. Sometimes it can be really loud. The dealer cant find out whats wrong with it.