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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  Traded a Clunker - 2009 Hyundai Accent
  By JAC - August 16 - 11:37 pm

  Just got the vehicle yesterday and put almost 200 miles on it the first day. Traded in a piece of trash and got $4500 from Cash for Clunkers and $1500 Factory Incentive. Sticker price was $16,184 (Dealer added $299 for tint) and I paid $9,060 (plus tax, title & license). For $9,000 you cant beat it. Its not fast off the line, but once you get going, it goes great. It was almost hard to keep it at 75 on the freeway as it drove effortlessly at 80 and 85. A 6 foot driver and 2 6 foot passengers in the back all had enough room, although the seats are not as soft and comfortable as a more expensive model. You cant go wrong with this car if you can pick it up cheap.

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  They have to get better at service - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Fred - August 16 - 10:23 am

  So today I went to Power Hyundai in Scottsdale AZ for my first service. My NAV/Radio were fine. They tried to apply the T63 update and after three tries quit because the second DVD of 3 was rejected. The technicians called Hyundai tech support all day and got no response from the tech people. My radio is OK but NAV stopped working and all works Verrrrry slooooowly. They promise to get this fixed. My beef is with Hyundai tech support. What right do they have not to call back all day to a dealership needing help? I called the consumer line and was told by the only person I could reach that he would call a regional manager- obviously a useless ploy. Hyundai needs to get organized/return calls!!

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  Gas Mileage is terrible - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Shawn Rutherford - August 16 - 4:23 am

  I have owned 3 Hyundais and always buy from the same dealership. But the Tucson is the biggest rip off. The gas mileage is terrible. Please beware before buying if you care about gas mileage. It was top on my list and I got stuck with a car that costs an arm and a leg.

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  Good Value - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Joe - August 15 - 9:36 pm

  All the amenities of a Lexus or Caddie at the price of an Impala. A lot of options but not refined. At times when just starting the car surges when just touching the gas pedal and other times you can floor it and go 15 mph. Both go away in about 20 seconds but bothersome. Other than that very pleased with the car. Smooth tranny and good steering feel. Id buy another Hyundai with no hesitation.

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  Cheap price = cheap stuff - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Gab - August 15 - 3:45 pm

  I bought my Sonata in 2006 at 38K. Since then, Ive only had problems. I fixed most of them myself, but someone who cant would have spent a lot on those repairs. Im only at 90K now and I changed the transmission, the alternator, spark plugs and spark plug wires (all of them 2 times), both windows motors, 2 suspension, suspension bushings, catalyser (it was under warranty, its a 2500$ part), changed 3 wheel bearings, changed the battery, alternator strap, the wholes gas and break pipes under car, gas filter, and a lot more. I just received a letter (were in middle 2009 now) from Hyundai. It is a re-call for the subframe, it has to be replaced because it is dangerous. Manufacture problems.

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  BUY ONE - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By BIG TIBBY - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Overall Im extremely impressed with this vehicle. Not only is it far from overpriced, its priced exactly right. Anything cheaper and youd start to wonder. I get oooos and aaawwwws everywhere I go. I just put a cold air kit and exhaust, and I cant wait for the chip. This car is just plain old fun.

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  This car is awesome!!! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By kbdancergrl - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this car last night and I love it already! This is my first stick shift and it only took a couple of hours to learn. After first, its really smooth. I would suggest anyone looking for an exciting car to get this one! Have fun!

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  Great Buy - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By So Far So Good - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I was a bit hesitant to buy a Hyundai after years of hearing of their shoddy quality, but the warranty soothed my fears. Went looking at Accords and Camrys, and was talked into taking the Sonata for a test drive. I liked it much better than the other two, and the styling has them beat hands down. You absolutely cannot beat the value of this car. Same features in a Honda or Toyota will run you $5k more. Very pleased with this purchase.

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  new entourage - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Morpheus0052 - August 15 - 9:42 am

  I bought my entourage 6 months ago, limited. it is the best part of our trip, everyone is comfortable, room for things cups you name it. the trunk always has space to spare, not mentioning the center area in the rear, the side space between the seats and the door is grand. and the dvd system blows me away. besides it has inputs for consoles or anything else. it is by far the most quiet, stable, economic, fun to ride and drive and powerful (consider the engine size) car that I have ever ridden. I cant wait to take another trip. and for everyday use in the city. economy is better than the competition.

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  Hyundai - Are you kidding? No Im not!! - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By JT - August 14 - 10:29 pm

  Bought the Elantra SE because I had a budget and needed to stick to it. Requirements were good gas mileage, antilock brakes, airbags, and traction/stability control. Comparable Civic and Corolla were $4K and $5K more, even with cash for clunkers. Took the vehicle on an 1152 mile jaunt to Bar Harbor and back and averaged 31.2 mpg in all types of driving. Plus, I crammed 3 young kids and the wife in the car and a weeks worth of clothes and supplies. The Elantra performed admirably. Not extremely exciting, but a steady performer, fit and finish was perfect, seats were comfortable and ride was smooth. The engine was a little course when acceleration was needed, but overall a great car.