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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  Hyundai GT review - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Scazzero - May 20 - 10:00 am

  So far weve put 1300 miles on this car in two months not one problem so far. It feels very solid. The car has decent acceleration and good power on the highway. Only problems is it needs more lumbar support and better gas mileage right now were only getting 22 mpg average. But the main reason we bought this car was the overwhelming number of items available at the price, we got leather seats, a trip computer, cd player (6 speakers), alloy wheels, fog lights, rear spoiler and the best warranty all standard! Name one other car that gives you this kind of bargain!

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  the best economy car - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By alexander - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car for the price you pay and is alot better then the chevy metro

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  Visually great but have had problems - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By MissMySi - May 15 - 4:33 pm

  Purchased in January. I made a huge mistake by not test driving the one I bought (test drove others) and it turned out to have a defective tire. Once that was replaced the ride was still very uneven and choppy. Dealership service department (West Broad Hyundai in Richmond, VA) treated me very poorly while trying to resolve this. Ended up at another dealership (Gateway Hyundai) that was much more customer service oriented. They rebalanced the tires but the ride is still not what it was in the others I test drove. They have also had to replace the entire XM Satellite Radio/Navigation unit because it stopped linking to the satellite radio.

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  Only if you, too, are $ challenged - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By $$ challenged - May 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Elantra in 99 when my car (an 89 Corsica I would LOVE to have back) died unexpectedly on a road trip. As a recent college grad (with a degree in teaching no less) I was strapped for cash. I needed an affordable car with a great warranty. I must admit, for the money, the car has performed well. However, the options are limited and the car shifts horribly, lurching forward often at high speeds. In its defense, I have put a lot of miles on the car (80000 in less than 4 years) however, I have maintained service as well. The bottom line: if its all you can afford, go for it. If you can afford something else, youll probably be happier!

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  Works Well - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ralph - May 12 - 2:06 pm

  So far, we are pleased with the vehicle. The car isnt particularly powerful or sporty handling, but it drives well enough to be competitive. It is gas thirsty for such a small engine. The car does have an excellent array of safety features and the new interior design is attractive. Interior space is very good, and, at 64", I appreciate the headroom and center console positioning.

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  Elantra GT - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By daveleff - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Handles like a sports car. Ride is a bit stiffer than an Elantra sedan, but to be expected. Peppy 2.0 liter engine. Adequate trunk space. Good stereo system. Leather seats are comfortable and durable. Moonroof seals well. All in all, well worth the money and a serious look.

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  Get what you paid for... - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Clark - May 6 - 4:00 am

  Should have paid more for a car to have a decent ride, these Kumho tires are stiff and out of round, when cold the tires are worse! Doors unlock when car put into park so someone can jump into back seat and hijack someone. Nice feature with child lock for rear doors, but even when that is on someone can open the outside doors and get in...scary for my wife when she is alone. Trunk items cant be secured from inside the car.

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  Ride quality NOT good, all else very good - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By greggtex - May 4 - 4:01 pm

  Traded in 08 Sonata. Hyundai quality and warranty is great. Ride quality on our Santa Fe is awful. If I had to do it over again, I wouldnt buy the Santa Fe until Hyundai gets the ride better. I know its an SUV, but ride should still be better. Plenty of power from V-6. Mileage is ok at best. We are averaging about 21.5 in mixed driving. About to take long highway trip, so intersted to see how the mpg is on highway.

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  MY SUV - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By ELLEN - May 4 - 2:20 pm

  I love my Tucson. It is roomy, easy to drive and comfortable. I had actually thought about buying the Jeep Liberty but after test driving it I decided the Tucson was a much better vehicle.

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  VERACRUZ LIMITED AWD - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By alphamale1 - May 3 - 1:00 am

  Nice vehicle. The wife has a bad back and the lumbar support is helpful. Too bad the MPG city is not better.