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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  For the Money? WOW! - 2003 Hyundai XG350
  By John Pichman - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I have owned other luxury sedans such as the Seville and es300. The Seville was my favorite, but could not afford to continue to take the hit on depreciation. How ever I find the xg350 to be close enough to the es300 to justify the $12000.00 savings. If you drive alot of miles annually and want to change cars every three years with out accumulating the national debt, this the car!

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  2013 Elantra GT is smooth and sporty - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By dhfromcali - August 29 - 6:00 am

  After much research and test drives, I finally decided on the Elantra GT with the Style package. I test drove and compared the following: VW Golf, Golf TDI, Jetta TDI, Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Nissan Altima, Kia Optima. By far, the Elantra GT was the quietest ride out of all, nicest cabin, and best overall value. It was fun to drive (only slightly less fun than the Mazda which had great steering) but was smoother on freeway than Mazda. Its a lot roomier in front and back seat than all of those listed, and has better warranty. It was close between the Mazda and Hyundai but the Mazda didnt make good use of dash setup and Im only 55" and hit my head getting in/out of the car.

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  Over the road - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jabbott - August 28 - 3:06 pm

  We are a single car retired couple. We bought the Santa Fe for convenience. An unexpected bonus is the comfort. We make two 5,000 mile trips each year. We feel less tired or worn at the end of an 800 mile day than with any car we have ever owned, including several Buicks and Oldsmobiles.

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  Technology Is Not There - 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By docrickets - August 27 - 5:28 pm

  Voice command is way off. These guys need to study Apple SIRI. The system has a very hard time recognizing voice commands. By the time it does recognize what you want, you have driven off the road or caused an accident. Even the service advisors are clueless in helping you with the problem. Blue Link is Hyundais answer to on-star. Dont waste your money. They use cell sites to triangulate your position or to speak with you. Will not work if your out of the cell towers. The operators are rude and their supervisors are arrogant.

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  Wonderful Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Paul - August 26 - 4:28 am

  Overall, I love this car. The fuel economy is not quite as good as the competitors, but its not bad. The low end tourque of the V6 is pretty weak, but once it gets going the car performs very well. passing on the highway is not a problem. The ride is extremely smooth, and quiet, and the car handles very well. The inside is confortable, and the standard features/price ratio was unmatched by any other car.

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  2001 Accent GL Hatchback - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Mike - August 25 - 10:55 am

  Bought this car used for a song. On the interstate coming home, it got 42.5 miles to the gallon. Around town with the AC on, it averages about 33-34. The original tires were replaced due to one developing a bulge. Overall, very efficient, and cheap if you buy them used. I would recommend it to someone on a budget that needs good gas mileage. Lacks some power with the AC on, but is peppy enough with it off. The original sound system could use some improvement, but at this price, Im satisfied.

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  cheap car, good warranty but need it - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By hyundai owner - August 24 - 5:25 pm

  Bought the car brand new. Only a couple of minor problems in the first 6 months. The sun roof quit working. After that major problems. We blow all the lights every 6 months. The car has had 2 new computers, a couple of wiring harnesses, sunroof completely inop and will not replace it, mulitple plugs, wires, and coils. Spent 3 months straight in the dealership 2 years ago with no loaner. It is a nice car and has been really well maintain but has severe electrical problems no seems to be able to figure out. It completely dies and wont run or runs and dies and an hour later will start just fine then die again. Dealt with for 3 years. Only compensation 100,000 mile full warranty.

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  poor mans jaguar - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By lartross - August 22 - 9:44 pm

  We bought this car for the wife to tool around in. We use it for all family outings and shopping. It is comfortable around town, quite peppy and delivers acceptable economy [around 27 mpg].The interior is beautiful and easy to keep up. The stereo system is very good. The seats are a little too firm on long rides [8 hours or more] It has been an excellent car for the 20,000 miles weve had it with no problems.

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  A mixed bag - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By dagrabe1 - August 22 - 7:23 pm

  Weve been driving this vehicle now for 9 months. My wife loves it (it is primarily her car) but Im not so sure. What I like: An incredibly short turning radius. The look of the vehicle, both inside and out. All of the extras at a reasonable price (heated leather seats, bluetooth, etc). What I dont like: The ride is really rough, much rougher than my Nissan Maxima or even my beat up old pickup. You will feel every bump on the road. Most annoying: The gas mileage weve been getting isnt even close to the EPA rating. Low teens in town, low 20s on the highway. I dont drive like a maniac (anymore). If I pushed it hard Id hate to think how bad the mpg would be...

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  Best value overall in mid-size SUVs - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ben - August 22 - 4:03 am

  This is my 2nd Hyundai. Traded up from an Elantra, which I loved, so when I needed a larger vehicle, the Santa Fe was my first choice. For a mid-size SUV, the price is low, the fuel economy is decent, and the warranty and overall quality are outstanding. I find the best fuel economy is about 65-70mph, keeping the RPMs below 3000. Recently moved from FL to CA with my family, 2 pets, and a trunk full of clothes & supplies, with no problems at all. Handled pretty good when I hit the remnants of a blizzard in the midwest. Acceleration is a little slow, but once it gets going, it runs real smooth. Seeing so many other Santa Fes on the road makes me feel good about the choice I made