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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  good little SUV...poor gas mileage - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Diane - September 17 - 10:30 am

  I love the Sante Fe except for awful gas mileage and a squeek in the door panel that I can not get ride of. Otherwise a nice SUV..If I had known that the RAV4 was going to be extended, I would have bought that instead.

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  Never thought Id buy a Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By kldm - September 17 - 10:00 am

  This is my first non-luxury purchase and I bought it on impulse because I was so impressed by the styling and packaging when I saw it on the road on my way to work. The one thing I truly hated was the over-boosted power assist, which was addressed by an ECU software update when I brought it in yesterday for the power steering shaft recall. Now the steering feels more naturally weighted and connected to the wheels. I almost dont have any complaints except for the manual passenger side seat. My bias is towards its performance because of owning a BMW and Lexus. Having said that, I consider the Sonata to be the best looking practical car out there. I think my other cars are intimidated by it :)

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  IF this one ever dies, Ill buy another! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LuvMySantaFe - September 15 - 4:06 am

  Dollar per mile, this is the best car I have ever owned. With over 85,000 on it already, its just breaking in. I dont think this vehicle will ever die. VERY upstanding company to deal with. Due to a misrepresentation in MPG, I got a bump on the warranty to 120,000 and $275 in dealer cash from a class action law suit! Try to get that from any other car company! If youre not into status symbols, keeping up with the Jones, or horsepower, then youll be among the intelligent, frugal, money conscience crowd. As long as Hyundai keeps up the quality and warranty levels, I will never buy anything else.

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  First time SUV owner - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By new oner - September 14 - 2:20 am

  This SUV is not perfect, but its 4 to 10 thousand less than the Rav4, Highlander and Pilot. Not as powerful as the Rav4, but on par with all of them. Ive got the SE 3.3 V6 and Ive been averaging about 21 MPG in stop and go commuting. 5 issues that Ive noticed so far. 1) Only lowing the rear windows sometimes causes a percussive booming against the back window. 2) No aux input or easy way to connect MP3 player to stock stereo. 3) Manual lumbar and height adjustment are worthless. 4) Seat Height adjustment lever is right where I place my behind when I get in. This might break over time. 5) Front window sill where the wipers park will fill with snow. Overall, these are small issues.

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  Burned once, not twice - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom Craine - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a used Excell in 93 and cursed the Hyundai name. Was curious when they brought out the new warranty and thought I would give it a try. Have been extremely pleased. Had a problem with a total loss of electrical power but after a new alternator and battery (covered)Im running fine. $12,150 never got me so far!

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  expecting better gas mileage - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Creech - September 12 - 11:10 pm

  After owning 4 toyotas, this was a big move. The outside appearance of this van is superior to all others. The inside is also superior. I have been disappointed in the gas mileage though. I have only been averaging 16 - 17 mpg during the summer months. Should the air conditioning make that much difference? I dont think so. 19 mpg would be o.k. The van does seem to surge a lot. I only have 3000 miles on my van so hopefully it will start getting better mileage very soon.

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  give it a shot - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By hemi - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I have a loaded 2001 GLS with 33,000 miles. Had two problems, driver door window that was fixed at no charge and at 28 months a battery was needed. The dealer pro-rated the battery at 60% off retail. Its just a great car, performance,comfort,style how can you go wrong. And for under $20,000. You have to take it for a ride and see for yourself

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  Great car, could do better on the road - 1996 Hyundai Sonata
  By Binnie The Gooh - September 7 - 2:00 am

  It´s a great car, but they could make it better suitible for the raod like when you are taking sharp turns it slides to the sides alot but it can be controlled, this is a sedan version, so why not make it perfect!!

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  Nice Rental Car - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By saguaroshannon - September 6 - 10:36 pm

  We rented this car for 4 days. No experience with Hyundais before. It fit my 67" husband very well. We thought the ergonomics were great! It was very quiet, as quiet as our Avalon. We thought it handled fine. The suspension seemed fine to us (Edmunds does not like it). We were a bit disappointed in the gas mileage. When it comes time to purchase another sedan, we will definitely give it consideration.

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  Whole lot of car 4 the money! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By bdwyer63 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  WOW! I own a 98 Chrysler Intrepid and never thought a compact car could subsitute in size, comfort, amenities let alone price! Have driven my little Elantra 400 miles since July 25th. Ride, fit, finish, style, this little guy has it all. I bought mine with everything but ABS and spoiler for just under 13k. I am truly impressed. I NEVER thought Ib ever buy a Hyundai, but driving is believing. This isnt the Hyundai of days gone by! You have to take one of these cars for a test drive. Theres still the unknown of long term reliability, but the proof will be in the pudding. The warranty somewhat puts my mind at ease though.