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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  Mobility Program - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Adrianne - November 21 - 7:43 pm

  I bought the truck so that my 82 year- old cancer-patient Mother could get in and out with ease. I like the truck okay, but I take issue with Hyundais Mobility Program, or rather, the lack thereof. All of the add-ons I needed to assist my Mother were considered "accessories" and Hyundai refuses to pay for them. I wasnt asking for anything extraordinary; a trailer hitch so I can use my wheelchair lift and running boards to steady her while she gets in. Neither one is covered. Smoke and Mirrors and absolutely no substance. Shame on Hyundai.

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  my review Hyundai - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By mark - November 17 - 1:04 am

  good overall car for the money

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  Nice entry-level car - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Koni - November 16 - 6:01 pm

  I bought this car used in 2005. Ive had it for about six weeks, and so far Im very impressed. Its not impressive, gorgeous, or fast, but it is solidly constructed. If youre looking for an affordable car that gets great gas mileage (Im getting 30MPG in the city), go with the Accent. It has a couple of design flaws (cup-holder placement and size, for example), but dealing with a little thing like that is no problem.

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  makes you feel special - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By weav8060 - November 15 - 6:16 am

  I have an orange crush tibby that turns heads and really glows. Never mind the nominal hp -- this car is fast and you can navigate traffic like a star. BMWs have a hard time keeping up. It purs beautifully. Get the sunroof -- its the first time Ive had one and its important for the overall feel and comfort. Also, mine doesnt have rear windshield wipers and that needs to be remedied. The seats are very comfortable, but part of a cockpit feel that you have to slip into -- always pull the manually operated seats back as you get in and out (thats a fun factor too). This cars not for your if youre taller than 6 or overweight. The is a high revr and mileage is mediocre.

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  Been a great car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bingo - November 14 - 2:40 am

  So pleasantly surprised by this car since we bought it for a runaround localy. Has been just great and has done several 3-5 hour trips one way. Overall, cant beat the value and fun to drive experience of this car. (42mpg on turnpike speeds!!!) Would advise anyone to pick one of these up for everyday transportation.

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  My first brand new Vehicle - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ron in PA - November 12 - 1:56 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for 3 years and have been very pleased with most aspects of the vehicle. I love the design the ride is noce handling is good, service has been good. Gas mileage although not what expected is not bad for a car of this size. I boughtr the car for price and warranty length and so far have been happy most of the time. Areas that have been problems, Paint is not holding up, chips easily from road dirt, seating areas are not wearing well, they show signs of use easily. Not happy at all about only being able to purchase certain parts from Hyundai such as a Battery, brake pads, air filter. Would buy another Hyundai from the exp, with this vehicle Love the car.

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  Accent - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Courtney - November 9 - 11:03 pm

  Just bought a 2004 Hyundai Accent Gt Hatchback, its doing me fine. This is my first car and so far Im enjoying. I recommend this car.

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  reliable and easy on the pocket - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Grl_car - November 8 - 4:25 pm

  I have owned this car for 5 years now and have no complaints about it. Obviously its not a sports car and should be driven as such. Its great for normal everyday commute and use. We drove it New York twoce in three years with no problems at all. The interior and exterior are holding up better than i expected and I have never had to use the warranty. Normal service and TLC does it. Very reliable, very down to earth, and extremely easy on the pocket.

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  Love my Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Terri - November 6 - 2:07 am

  I purchased this car because of the price and outside looks of the car as well as the millage of the car. My friend worked at the dealership I bought it from because he said it was the best car for the price range I was looking for. Its a little small and confind but you cant beat the price, the warranty or the performance it gives you. Its easy to handle and its smooth ride on highway driving is great. The seats are a little too stiff but I guess its to be expected with a base car.

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  My little Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By meijkej - November 1 - 5:12 pm

  Since Im so tall, Ive found that this model doesnt have a lot of leg room. The steering wheel doesnt tilt, so I have to constantly scrunch down to see my odometer. Other than that....this is a great little car! It gets me where I want to go, and I dont really need to keep an eye on the gas prices b/c I dont fill up very often (even though I drive everywhere).