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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  ride cheap with style - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By keen - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive and cheap to buy. I hope this car will last long past the warranty. Over the past three years I have found this car to be reliable, responsive, and believe it or not a head turner. The four cyl. is a little under powered but they fixed that in 2003 with the avail. 6 cyl. The body style is a classic in my opinion.

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  The Shark is Worth the Price - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By janasliltoy - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I got the totally decked out Ultrasport 3 pkg. The car runs along side stock Mustang V8s. People love the car and it gets looks. The 170hp somehow rockets this 3000lb car to 60 in about 7 flat. Definatly suprising. Warranty is great and they are easy to work with.

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  other than mpg, a good car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By hegls - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Its been about 11 months that Ive had this car now, and its survived plenty of city commuting and a cross- country road trip admirably. Generally, a very good car in both contexts. Surprisingly comfortable for a small car with a 63" driver...even on longer road trips. A little noisy at high speeds. Handles well.

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  2003 Elantra GLC - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By jfoote - August 21 - 10:00 am

  2000 miles and enjoying car. Mileage is great but not excelent, handles well, nicely equipted for price. Only question is what resell will be in a few years. Recommended for price/value, ride, warranty.

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  Bumps along the road. - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Peter - August 18 - 2:56 am

  After looking at the Sonata, Camary, Accord and Malibu on paper the Sonata appeared to be the best bang for the buck. Little did I realize that the bang would be felt over every bump in the road. There is a bad engineering flaw with the suspension of these cars. I do not know how anyone could be satisfied with the ride of a Sonata. I wish I had taken a longer test drive. I am stuck with a car that sounds like the shocks bottom out over every little bump in the rode.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By CWS - August 18 - 12:32 am

  We have 4 kids, so money is always a consideration. I needed a reliable car for a fair price, and this car is IT. Transferable warranty (6 years) was a big selling feature. Its quiet, fairly quick, and handles well. Hyundai will always be a make to consider for me in the future.

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  Good car but be aware - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By heuies - August 17 - 8:46 pm

  Car is awesome for the money, but watch out for common problems such as the power windows, power locks, and especially the clutch (mine just went at 41,000miles) which is VERY expensive to replace correctly. Other than that the car is a nice car with unmatched features and a blast to drive. Youll definatly turn heads and be asked "what kinda car is that?" cuz it is so unique. be prepared to face clutch and minor electrical issues inevitably though. Also make sure to have all season tires put on the car if you are using it year round. NOT a winter car!

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  Would buy another Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By JEFFREY - August 16 - 3:10 am

  Overall I like the car. I have had to put some money repairs that I did not expect. I also dont like the remote control is only available by the dealership at cost of over a hundred and fifty dollars. I also only get 12 MPG while driving in city driving. Expected better but is a V6 I have the LX. I have had my car garaged over night I think three times.

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  Sudden DEATH AT 80,000 miles - 2000 Hyundai Accent
  By Little Mamma - August 15 - 6:13 pm

  I bought my Hyundai used in January 2005. It had 74,000 miles. I couldnt have been happier with it until one day the timing belt broke, which broke our engine. $2,000 to repair it and it only had 80,000. Ive only had it for 7 months and Im questioning if it is worth fixing!

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  Great Value - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By w4708 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Hyundai Santa Fe 2004 ! The overall size and weight of the vehicle is very convenient and comfortable and has a "safe" feeling, and ease in driving. It is exactly what I was shopping for and so far no problems. For my needs, just about perfect. Have not had "service" needs yet so I cannot rate that.