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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  LEMON CAR - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By rocket dog - July 17 - 6:05 am

  Adding to my review of may. Transmission has abnormal metallic clunking and slapping noise. this has caused the rear end to have some gear play and gear wine.Dealer miss in formed me as to cure. Hyundai factory tech had no answers and Hyundai customer service has STIFFED ME. There are no parts or adjustments for these electronic transmission. Dealers service manger and Hyundai tech drove a new in stock car and told me this normal for rear drive cars.

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  white shark ! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ckez>>> - July 16 - 2:00 am

  ..i got a white one...its a neat car..cheap too ..considering quality of it...a true sport car

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  New 04 GLS auto sedan is just right! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By RM&J - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Hyundai did their homework by slightly revising the 04 model with an updated interior that "works" just right! Instrument controls, seat comfort, stereo sound, quiet cabin, visibility, a/c -- all make for an excellent ride. The updated exterior is also just right and "works" to make this a sharp looking car! My wife and I are so impressed with this car over the corolla we traded in, we just cant believe we got such a nice car for the money! The review that Edmunds has given this car is right on target -- dont pass this one up if youre looking at a civic or corolla. Good job Hyundai!

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  Excellent value - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By UMDFAN - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Have had the Santa Fe for 2 months...no problems at all.

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  Hyundai - Make of the Future - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By JayMo - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car loaded with features with a good cash rebate! Hyundai has come along way. 2-1/2 years ago this car was "tinny" and felt insubstantial and cheap. No more!! Compared with Protege, Sentra, Corolla and Civic. Extras included as standard features and price kicked butt. Ive owned Honda, Toyota and Nissan products and I believe they are pricing themselves out of the compact car market. All they have to offer is the snob factor. Wonder how long it will take most Americans to latch onto this great little car?

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  The car for new College Graduates.... - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By kennies - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car. This car is starting to become popular. I was looking an affordable car that can get me around. I dont want a corolla or civic, cuz everyone has those. I wanted something cheaper and maybe better. This car is it. Bought in August drove it 2 months 7000 miles already. Wow 3500 per month. The oil leaked once, but i fixed it by tightening the oil filter. The shop must not have tighten the oil filter when i did an oil change. Besides that its purrfect. Im planning to drive this car to the ground since its not going to have a resale value, which im fine with. I just know i got a good deal on this car.

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  Great Value - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By OmahaMark - July 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun-to-drive car with many standard features. It has a surprising amount of room inside. I am 63", 280 lbs and I fit in the drivers seat just fine with ample leg room (after I adjusted the seat angle a little). I like the fact that almost everything comes standard. The only extra I got was a spoiler for an additional $500. Everything else I wanted came standard. The only hangup Ive had is its low-end torque. It seems like I really have to wind the engine up to get it to accelerate well. It doesnt really take off until I hit 3500 RPMs.

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  elantra - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By bsmiley - July 15 - 9:36 pm

  i really enjoy my Hyndai it is really a good car for your $$$$$.....i love the road side assistance....Yes I would buy another one

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  Approaching 60K - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rick - July 15 - 5:05 pm

  My 2nd sonata. Only problems have been a dead windshield washer pump and some doorlock issues, both addressed by dealer. This car is a great value, & Hyundai is a great story - they appear to be making quality vehicles at reasonable prices. Still, I enjoy our 99 e320 more, but no complaints on the brand or dealer.

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  4.6 w/Tech - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By Tech Junkie - July 15 - 2:34 pm

  This car blows me away - its worth every penny, the technology is top-notch, the interior is unbelievable. Its quiet, comfortable, and tons of power. My only complaint (reason for 9 in comfort) is road noise from the Dunlops and a little stiffer ride than I would have expected. Aside from this, its still one of the quietest cars Ive been in. Wing badges are essential, but leave the flying H on if you really want to raise eyebrows. HD radio = awesome. XM = not really all that awesome after listening to HD. Navigation works very well. Seats are VERY comfortable for me even at 66" and over 300lb. Best of all = wife loves it.