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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  Jury is out - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By m. smith - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Santa Fe since 5/10 and have 15k on it since then Im happy to say that ive not experienced any of the transmission problems others have. I do have a service appointment next week to fix a problem with the rear door locks, they stopped working when using the key fob. Im a bit unhappy with all the doors and door hardware on this vehicle in regards to quality and am unsure how it will hold up over time (not optimistic). Other than that Im happy with the driving experience and mpg.

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  Move over Honda and Toyota - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jay - February 14 - 6:00 pm

  I had a Civic previously and like the Elantra a lot more. It has more room, rides better, and has better acceleration. The only negatives are the relatively poor gas mileage for a compact and the rear window fogs in humidity unless the AC is on.

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  Sensor Issues - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By incubritt2010 - February 14 - 12:16 am

  I got my Santa Fe with 68,000, and after 4 other lemons before that, I figured this car would be my knight in shining armor. So, naturally, the transmission went out 6 months after I bought it. Now a year and half later, it just wouldnt start one day. Long story short, Ive now replaced the Mass Airflow Sensor, the Coolant Temperature Sensor, and low and behold, this morning I went to start it and its running crappy still and trying to die on me, obviously not trustworthy. The mechanics are stumped, and so am I. If this happens to you, the code reads, "Fuel temp sensor", get ready for a domino effect of electrical problems that mechanics wont be able to pinpoint.

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  The Begining - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By D - February 12 - 9:43 am

  I just purchased this (New) 2009 Hyundai, Santa Fe and thought I would rate it now, six months and then at the one year mark. I hope you will find it useful in selecting your next vehicle. I am not in any way associated with Hyundai, and no one in my family works for or has any association with Hyundai Inc. I know the site says don’t write about the purchasing, but that was one of the reasons why I selected this vehicle over its competitions. Its value and warrantee were huge draws. I actually selected my new SUV from the inventory online and set the price before I even went to the dealership. Even Taxes, Tags, Titling, Destination costs, everything! I said “I’ll pay this” they said "OK".

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  Tiburiburon - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By iridespinners - February 12 - 2:00 am

  never would have given Hyundai a second thought but the interior was great looking and compared to a Celica, it was like 5 grand cheaper and w/ a few more options. Warranty is the best and this car is super reliable. Common problems are headlight bulbs and wheel bearings which are covered in warranty. car is so customizable w/ aftermarket parts and I got SO many compliments from what I did to it. I made people w/ cars that cost so much more look like nothing. I am so pleased with Hyundai and their service and if they came out with a "real sports car" Id for surely buy it. I crashed my tib and truely miss it as do many people. Its truly one of a kind.

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  all the way with Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Andre Gascon - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I had a Tiburon 97, a Sonata 2000, an Elantra GT 2002, and now, since two months, an Elantra GT automatic 2004, the best of all Hyundai car that I have driven Why a Hyundai product totay? When I bought the Tiburon, it was because I was struck by the beauty of the car. But now I bought an Elantra GT 2004 because its again a very nice car, always a very reliable car, but mainly because its a car so fun to drive, and very generous in space for a guy of more thant six feet tall. Really Im proud of my Elantra GT 2004 red glaze. Finally, since more thant 8 years, I have always received a first class service from my Hyundai dealer

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  I like it but I dont LOVE it! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By justcind - February 11 - 1:28 am

  I bought this car because I couldnt believe the features it had and the build quality for the price. Its cute like the Jag I wanted, 16" wheels contribute to a smooth quiet ride. I have 7500 miles in 4 months and no problems.

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  Smokin deal - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Miz - February 10 - 2:50 pm

  I purchased my Elantra new in April of 2000. I now have almost 80,000 miles on it and it has been fantastic. I still have the original brakes and have done very few repairs. The spark plugs and wires went bad twice and the right rear window is no longer working but that is it. I always runs, is fun to drive and has been very reliable. For the money (around $10k) I couldnt ask for more. Hyundai has really come a long way

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  Amazed by this car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jim D - February 9 - 4:27 pm

  Bought the car in 2000 with 24K on it. Other then normal wear and tear parts, I have spent less then $300 on repairs to this car. It has over 90,000 miles on it now and has been through the hard New England winters and still runs great. I will be looking to get a new one whenever this one dies.

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  i love my santa fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ken wagner - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY SANTA FE,IT VERY ECONOMICAL AND ITS FUN TO DRIVE!