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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  3.5 GLS Santa Fe 2004 - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ken Bider - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive had nothing for the dealer to repair. Im seriously handicaped and I selected the particular car to address my needs - good choice. The initial throttle response is a little touchy. Exellent initial quality. I cant speak to down-the-road quality since Ive only had the car about a month.

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  2001 Hyundai - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Alanna - March 31 - 3:46 am

  Great car to drive around city and fun summer vehicle. Not good for country night driving on dark country roads. I had alot of fun driving in the warm months but do not like how it handles on ice and in snow. This car has great miles per gallon. I bought this car brand new and thought very reliable until this past year. Transmission went out so it was great to have the 100,000 mile warranty.

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  LEAKS, LEAKS AND MORE LEAKS - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By carol from texoma - March 30 - 2:56 pm

  At first I loved it then I had to deal with the dealership. I have had all locks replaced. Timing chain tensioner bent that took a 9 days. But the dealership offered me a ride 1/2 way back to work, what a joke. Then after the dealership turned in the wrong amount of work hours to the extended warranty company they wanted me to pay there mistake. Now I have leaks from the upper oil pan, transmission none of the leaks are covered by warranty. I was told after the fact that I had to buy the bumper to bumper 100K warranty offered by Hyundai. It has turned into a huge let down. I have never had better that 24mpg. I tried to trade in my car the offer was 5K I owe 10K the repairs are 2500.

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  Nice car-poor mileage - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mac - March 30 - 1:26 pm

  Nice car and good price after incentives. Good engine power and smooth transmission. Much standard equipment. Terrible gas mileage- 20.7 mpg best ever achieved on highway, not even close to the promised 30 mpg, which was a strong reason for the purchase. Very noticeable engine lag on acceleration. Distressing suspension noise intrudes in the cabin on uneven surfaces, and busy ride. Too much body lean on curves. Loud knock in dashboard. Steering feels heavy. Seat comfort is disappointing. A and B trips? Wheres B? Heavy initial lift of trunk lid.

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  Great Car - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By MrP - March 30 - 12:26 pm

  I run about 600 miles/week and I love it. Bought the 2.0 because I drive a manual. Its not a race car and it wont climb mountains but it sure drove well in the last two BIG snow storms. No need for 4 wheel drive. Quiet car. Lots of seating/cargo cominations and lots of really usefull, well placed/thought out features. Were getting a second one this month.

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  Hyundai Nirvanna! - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Tucson07Ltd - March 29 - 2:33 pm

  At 4,700 miles not only has the engine really livened up but the mpg is now 20.1 avg with a DC-area commute. This vehicle has more safety equipment than any in its class or price range and weighs 3,500 lbs so that considered, I am very happy with the mpg. Fit/finish is impeccable. Space utilization superb. Seat comfort/leg/headroom amazing even with sunroof front and rear. I am extremely proud of my Hyundai and when people look it over they are amazed. When they ride in it they remark how smooth and quiet it is. I am thrilled to have a vehicle thats ready for all 4 seasons, can carry more than a sedan, is easy to park and is a blast to drive.

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  I will never buy another Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By jmckay - March 29 - 12:46 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble! Ive had it in the shop so many times, Ive lost count. Tranmission problems, air bag light, power steering leak, short in the stereo, bad alternator, had to have the back glass replaced, check engine comes on when it rains, paint is peeling off!

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  It is a nice fit - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By maria1997 - March 28 - 6:40 pm

  The Tucson is a nice fit for a small family. Has plenty of leg room, head room and storage for everyone. Performance wise I find that it has been somewhat difficult to start and stay running. It just doesnt want to start some days and acts like its flooded. This is the only problem Ive had. Otherwise it has been great.

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  A Very Nice Well Built Quality Car - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By qqrzza - March 28 - 9:13 am

  I surprised myself by considering and later purchasing a new Hyundai Sonata. The surprise continues...this has been a wonderful car. I have had no defects or problems whatsoever. It rides well, looks great, is comfortable, solid, and tight. Gas mileage is about 24, which could be better. Overall, it is a great bargain, and a quality car right up there with Toyota.

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  Great Car/ Crappy Company - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By no thanks - March 28 - 2:00 am

  While my Elantra is fun to drive and I enjoy the car, I have had a horrific experience with the company. In fact, my car is a lemon, and even after receiving an agreement that if the car is not fixed after a final attempt, I have been given the runaround. The problem reoccured nearly a month ago, and I have received no response from the company. I will eventually be going to court. If you ever have a problem with the car that reoccurs, be sure to handle it very swiftly and good luck dealing with the jerks at the company hq.