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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  DONT BUY THIS CAR!!!!!!!!! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By coltraneous - August 11 - 12:51 am

  I just bought a manual one and since day one is having problems with first gear that most of the time doesnt engage. I have to start in 2nd gear even when I am completely parked. Took to the dealer and was told that I am the problem. I have always driven manual cars and NEVER had any problems. They dont want to fix it or they dont know how. Now I am stuck with a brand new car that doesnt work properly.

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  performance - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By marie Crissler - August 10 - 11:30 am

  This is the second one I have purchased. Hyundia has always stood behind and correct any problems I have had without a fuss. I would buy another one today.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By SRG - August 9 - 7:00 pm

  Read the warranty close;youll need it. Stranded twice for massive power loss on highway. 3 times to the dealer for elec. glitches like alarm system malfunction. Warranty only allows for two roadside rescues per 12 month period; we needed more. Amazingly, if their vehicle breaks down more than twice in any one 12 month period, you have to pick up the towing fees to get them to fix something thats under warranty! You have work hard to get over 20mph in this car. Around town in gets 17 or so if you keep your foot out of it. If you drive like its a 4 cylinder, you can get 22 on the highway (with a tailwind). If we could rewind the clock we wouldnt buy this car. Pay the extra $ for a Toyota.

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  A Joy To Own!!! - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By jean - August 9 - 3:16 pm

  I have enjoyed this automobile immensily. I highly recommed it to anyone who is looking for a new car. The Anchorage Service Center treats me like a king. I couldt expect a better treatment if I was driving a Rolls Royce. Best Value for Money (VFM) in an automobile I have ever had.

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  Hyundai the new Undisputer Minivan Champ - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By John WV - August 9 - 1:10 pm

  Great van for the money, cant wait till Car and Driver does a camparo with Honda, Toyota, etc... there may be a new champ in town... Very comfortable, at highway speed it just chews up the miles and spits them out, smooth ride, great power. The SE with premium package gives great values with great options. The beige interior and wood grain interior looks better than the grey/aluminum, and looks very upmarket, not like the cheap GM stuff. Buyer Beware, my local Hyundai dealer in WV puts a bump sticker in the window ($1000) over MSRP then wont deal off of that price, you can get this van for and not have to pay that, just shop at the right place, fair dealers are oput there.

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  love this car BUT - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Shannon - August 8 - 10:30 pm

  I bought my car used in 05. I love the look of the car and its fun to drive and very comfy and roomy BUT I have had nothing but trouble with it. had to replace rear end, new battery that I was told had to be Hyundai specific and cost$132, trouble with pedal sensors and now damper pulley and timing belt. It is horrible in the winter to start and when it does it doesnt want to drive! it does tend to jerk sometimes when shifting. Its a shame i really do love this car but probably wont buy another one.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By RNuts - August 8 - 11:00 am

  I have 10k miles on my Sonata. I have not had the first problem. MPG is great. Even with my wifes heavy foot, the car still gets 24mpg in town and we get 32 on the highway loaded down for a trip going 70mph. My GLS did not come with the auto on/off headlights but you can still leave the headlights turned on all the time and they will go off when you turn the engine off and remove the key. If you have BMW taste then do not consider this car. But if value means more to you than people judging you by the coolness of your car, then the Sonata is for you.

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  Brand New - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RCLNH - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I had my heart set on a Ford Escape or a Toyota RAV 4 but after driving it I found the Escape noisy and boring. Who would want a 3 year warranty when you can have a 5 year, 60000 miles with Hyundai? The Santa Fe is a much better looking car with a comfortable interior and excellent value for money. I know there are people who will always say a Hyundai is a Hyundai. Well, I suggest they go and drive the car before giving it the third degree. Im very pleased with the purchase.

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  Proud new owner - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By poorav9 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  We are the proud new owners of a Pewter Santa Fe LX AWD. It is truly a "neighbours envy, owners pride"! The other favorite was the Mazda Tribute. Four reasons why we went for the Santa Fe: 1)Stalling problems and recalls in the Tribute. 2)Good crash test rating for Santa Fe(top of its class) 3)SF loaded with a lot of standard features. 4)SF exterior stands out from the rest.

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  Watch out Toyota - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By john115 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Good solid ride,no wind noise,no rattles only needed to go back to dealer for new floor mat clips.I will keep this car for at least 10 years,and hopefully still love it,as much as now.