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 Value - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By egg - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought mine about 4 months ago and cant say that Im disappointed. Yes, it could use more ponies, and some of the interior trim is cheap, but for the money it is an outstanding value. Exceptionally fun to drive, good gas, great service at the dealership. Nothing else in the price class is even close. Warranty outstanding. Get the leather and rims, its worth it.

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  Impressive! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By OLOOK34 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I are loyal Subaru owners, but when we were in the market for a new family car, we thought we would give Hyundai a shot. When my wife drove this vehicle for the first time, she basically said forget the Subaru, I want this Santa Fe!! If the word "Hyundai" makes you think of an old 86 Excel, well its definitely time to change your thinking. This is a well-built vehicle that offers great utility in a very bold, unique looking package, of course backed by an incredible warranty. If you are in the market for a small SUV, dont let the name Hyundai fool you..... check this vehicle out!!

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  Love it! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By cheapskate - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I am delighted with the amount of car I got for the money. I shopped very carefully for 3 weeks and I know I would have had to pay at least $2,000 more for an equivalent car. I love the solid ride. Everything is high quality and well designed. This car was for my wife. I am going to buy another one for myself..........

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  fun and economical - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By happy - February 19 - 4:05 pm

  Peppy engine and very sporty handling. This car took the sting out of $4 a gallon gas. I drive 80% city and routinely average over 30 mpg. Side panels scratch easily and could use a larger center armrest. This car will save you a lot of money over the years.

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  My first car in this country - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Adi - February 18 - 3:44 pm

  I bought this car from a dealer when the Odometer reading was about 72K. Since then I have driven less than 3K. Like the cars style and pickup on the signals. It leaves almost every car in the rear view! I have tried that with cars like Lexus, BMW, Toyota and Honda and my Sonata picks up faster than all of them! The maintenance is costly for this car and I have changed the Alternator (about $500), Power Steering Pressure Hose (about $450) and general maintenance. The cars engine gives some noise which a mechanic couldnt figure out why. I need to take that to dealership (again $$$). Also the Air bag signal has turned Red which only dealer can see ($$$). So expensive drive for 3K travel.

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  New car experince - 2007 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Ernestine Evans-Nash - February 18 - 9:00 am

  The car drive exceptionaly smooth and it give great pick up. The driver seat is very acommadating for short people like myself. I like the safty features alot especialy the passager air bag and the extra number rear seat belts.

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  A realistic evaluation - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By New Hyundai Fan - February 17 - 10:36 pm

  We purchased this car when gas was expensive. It is very similar in size and displacements to our 99 Camry. This car is not a Camry, but is still a good solid car. A lot of the reviews of people really dont seem to understand that owning a car involves some preventative up-keep. Ive had to have timing belts and brakes on both. Toyota Camry is the GOLD standard. But that isnt to say the Sonota isnt a good, solid vehicle. (Its probably not fair to compare the two. Ive heard the new Sonatas are closer in feel to a Camry.) I would have no reservations buying one. The car is very similar in ergonomics, design, and power to my old 96 Accord. Thanks for reading.

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  85K miles on my 2012 Sonata SE - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tracey - February 17 - 9:32 pm

  Ive been very pleased with this car! Bought it new and have had it 3 1/2 years now. I put a lot of miles on my vehicles (avg 22K - 24K per year) however I take very good care of them, following manufacturers suggested maintenance schedule, getting regular oil changes, tire rotation, etc. I typically keep cars for 150K miles at a minimum. I average appx 28 MPG in Atlanta traffic (which is stop and go). No complaints whatsoever. Convinced my Dad and stepmom to buy a Sonata and they love theirs as well!

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  Luv the van hate the problems - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By selena - February 17 - 7:49 pm

  I couldnt wait to buy my first brand new van. Have had this van for one and a half years and have replaced the timing chain 3 times, and it needs a fourth. Have had problems with the tpms also. The dealership has been extremely helpful. But how many times can it go in for the same part?

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  I smile often with my car!... - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Rich - February 17 - 4:01 pm

  I put 25k mile on my new Elantra since I purchased it 6 months ago. The best mpg was 35 and I usually get about 33 to 34 for combine city/high and Im totally satisfied my cars mpg. The cabin is quite as 4cyl engine, the front dash design is cool and nice look, the sound system is awesome enough to listen clear and powerful sound from my favorite CDs. I never thought this is a small sedan because it provides a good room for even five adults. I went to Lake Tahoe twice with my friends and we all liked and impressed about the handling, acceleration, and the way breaking. It is worth for the money and some worry about resale value.