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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  Good Car for less money - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By mike - July 16 - 4:26 am

  Seems like a good vehicle. We have driven just a few 100 miles, but so far so good. Decent mileage, very good comfort, attractive looks.

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  Cheap tires - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By rose - July 14 - 5:23 pm

  I am writing to warn others. I have 28,600 miles on my original tires and had to be replaced today. I am disappointed in the quality of the tires on this vehicle and live and learn, I will look into this the next time I buy a car. So buyer be ware! If they are under warranty, I bet I would play ---- getting anything out of the company. I have read other reviews about this and now I can confirm it.

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  Fun to drive but costly to own. - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Handsombill - July 14 - 10:06 am

  I have owned 4 manual cars in my lifetime and have never had to replace a clutch until now. I have had to replace the clutch on my 2008 Tiburon 2 times already and it has come out of my pocket. Hyundai says the clutch is a normal wear and tear item and is not covered under warranty. My alternator went bad a month ago and hyundai took care of everything. If you buy this car get an Automatic or you will be kicking yourself later. The car is truly fun to drive and the redesigned headlights make it look great.

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  Best Value For the Cost - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By spbinmb - July 13 - 12:53 pm

  We purchased a new Santa Fe late in September paying 31.5k all in no financing. The owner of the dealership is also the manager, and offered to trade it in at the same value in two years. Weve put about 2500 km on, about half winter driving with icy roads - the traction control and AWD is excellent. The defrost takes about 5 minutes to clear the windshield, same for rear and mirrors. Heated seats take less, and are wonderful when coming out of -30c. Road noise is minimal, visibility is good. No mechanical issues to date - when we took possession of the vehicle the turn signal was a little sticky; it didnt pop back into position automatically. After a week of use that cleared up

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  Engine failed 72K, no help from Hyundai - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By wv_mazda - July 11 - 5:47 pm

  The lower end of my 2.4 L Sonata failed at 72500 miles under normal driving conditiuons. It has had an oil change every 5000 miles. Because I am not the original owner, the warranty did not apply. The dealer was very nice and sold me a used engine at full price. Hyundai USA declined to help me in any way. No care should have this type of engine failure at this mileage unless completely neglected.

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  My 2011 Sonata Hybrid is a piece of junk - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By sonatasux - July 11 - 10:24 am

  Bought mine in May 2011, I have given this car every opportunity to be satisfying to me, BUT...Its a PIECE! Will be taking back to my l dealer for the 3rd time tomorrow since "check engine" light is back on AGAIN. Heres whats been wrong so far in 3 LONG months of ownership and 9,000 miles: Gas tank issues, it wont let me put a FULL tank of gas in it you can pump SLOWLY 5 more gallons in it after the pump handle clicks indicating its full. Strip of plastic along entire roof is coming off. Surge/Sluggish/Jerks u back & forth while accelerating(dealer says its normal!) power sunroof stops midway, wont close all way, clunky front suspension noise on drivers side. Wish I had my G35 back!

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  XG350 - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By F ONeill - July 11 - 10:00 am

  This is an unexpected surprise! Clearly the best value in its class. I love it!

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  never again - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By cowboynfr - July 11 - 8:00 am

  I bought this car and was fun to drive but as soon as the car hit 60k all the problems started. The cars alignment is perfect but if I let go of the wheel in less than one second its in the ditch dealer says alignment issue even though there is a recall. Now tires need replaced every 10k, intake messed up had to replace that, tranny went out then clutch then clutch master cylinder then clutch slave and now ac is broke. all this in the last 12k miles and all i do is highway driving and gentle driving. I have spend several thousands on this car fixing it and it keeps breaking so just consider this review.

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  Best Ever Owned - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By S. Whitmer - July 9 - 10:23 am

  Easily the best SUV on the market for the price. Have owned for 4+ years, no problems. Get 24+ MPG combined w/ V6. Solid build quality, easy to maintain. Hyundai builds to Lexus quality at 1/2 the price.

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  Best SUV in its class - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By parkone - July 9 - 7:36 am

  i cant believe that hyundai has built such a great vehicle - its not the same as the 1998 that my sister owns. it was 4000 less than a comparable honda and toyota with more features and warranty.