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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  Stop Thinking about buying this car !!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By josh - February 17 - 12:20 pm

  I have been in 3 Major accidents in my 2002 elantra gls the first 2 did nearly $10,000 in damage the third was a total loss where I only received $3,500 for my car from Allstate. This car does not have anti lock breaks (abs) and it has poor traction control. In all 3 accidents none of my airbags deployed. My insurance sky rocketed. After the second accident I never felt safe again. The feeling of sliding and then slamming into something is something I will never forget. Save your self and other people from elantras and avoid them like the plague.

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  Elantra is Solid Car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Daniel G - February 17 - 9:59 am

  Build quality is pretty good, some refinements missing. Example, light behind panel next to shift lever is BRIGHT at night and actually catches my eye and annoys. Wont dim with the dimmer knob like the rest of dash. Heater goes cold when idling at lights. Downshifts a little too easy, but overall good automatic. Good factory sound system. Seats okay, a little cardboardy. For price though cant really beat.

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  Experience the 20005 Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fred gottlieb - February 17 - 3:10 am

  I like my 2005 santa fe it is all I expected and more.it has excellent steering,suspension and smooth ride for normal driving.

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  Too big for just me - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Linda Richards - February 16 - 11:49 am

  My car drives great. Easy to park.Sits up higher than a car,so visibility is great. The back seat has a stow away Childs seat. Its just me now that my husband passed away and the kids are all grown up. So I want to down size.

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  First Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lebron - February 16 - 10:00 am

  So far I have driving the car for about one year, no problem with it so far it runs great and has all the luxury I need I like the fact it has a tape player as well as a cd. it came with michelin tires a plus. It is well buil and has a lot of safety fetures. averall it it a great car for the money.

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  Hyundai missed the mark with this model - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tony - February 16 - 8:43 am

  I had owned a Sonata prior to picking out a brand new Tiburon GT in March of 2007. At just under 19K miles the clutch and flywheel went out on me. Hyundai would not cover this under warranty and dismissed the transmission failure as though I did not know how to drive a manual transmission. The wheel bearings went out on 3 separate occasions as well. The V6 is thirsty resulting in low MPG. Horrible under-steer. Some tricky blind spots until you get use to it. Hyundais also have crummy resale value. Overall the car is fun to drive, however I highly encourage an extended warranty.

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  Great car! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Indiana BOB - February 16 - 8:00 am

  Purchased for size, economy, manual option and warranty. I have drive Subarus for 30 years but the Legacy is much smaller,and has poorer mileage (due to AWD). I have 6k in mileage; On recent trip to Kentucky I got 32.5MPG going around 70- 75mph. The only complaints I have are the manual trans is not as positive is shifting compared to Subaus I have owned and also Honda Accouds/Civics and Mazadas I have driven which are owned by family members. (Even my 86 year old mother drives a Civic with a stick shift!)Hope the trans gets smoother as it breaks in; MPG has increased. Another strange issue is that when back windows are down at highway speed that there is a loud wind noise.

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  18,000 mile review - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brian - February 15 - 11:24 pm

  This is a follow up with my earlier post on my initial purchase. I have now logged 18,000 miles after 1 year and 2 months. I have not had any mechanical problems and I have not had any part on this car break on me. I am getting a solid 25-27 mpg in city and 33-36 mpg on the highway. I have installed various after market devices and still have not had any electrical problems. Although the car can use an extra 20-30 hp for passing, but still acceleration is adequate. Air conditioning gets the job done, even during 100 degree summer temps. After driving this car for over a year I would recommend this car for people that want a car that is good on gas, comfortable and great for a commuter.

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  What do you want for the price - 2008 Hyundai Accent
  By Joe - February 15 - 10:29 pm

  This car is ok if you just want a puddle jumper to get back and forth. I bought this car as a left over 2008 b/c the price was right, but I should have spent more for a better car. The sheet metal body panels ding very easy. This car rattles with every bump, maybe due to the sport suspension. The interior plastic scratches easy, very easy. Plus I am only getting around 20-21 mpg in the city. 25-27 mpg on the highway. I do better with my old awd Subaru. The car is good for parking around town in tight spaces and can hold a large amount of groceries with the rear seats folded down.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By tom - February 15 - 9:46 am

  We picked up the car and in Tempe, AZ and drove to Coursegold, Calif. It was a great trip. The car was comfortable to drive and we averaged 37 MPH. The trip was only 1700 miles but so far we loved the car. Lots of room inside, looks great inside and out. Loved the XM Radio, 50s & 60s music all the way. Will write more as we get mores miles. We believe we will continue to love the car.