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:

• 

  Vics Silver Sonata - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Victor Witherspoon - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This is good vehicle to own,very nice interior and exterior. The price and the warranty were very attractive to to me. Ill never buy another Camry. Cant wait to get my hands on the beautiful 2003 sonata.

• 

  Stuck in slow mode - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By chertedd - October 20 - 4:30 am

  I have a 2005 XG350L. My most recent problem has been when I drive from a parking space my car only wants to go about 10 miles and hour no matter how much gas I give it. After a while it will go 20 mph no more. After that it finally takes off like nothing happened. This process takes about 5 to 10 mins. When taken to repair could not duplicate. So can not fix. Accel position sensor and fuel sensor have been replaced previously. I love my car, but it is not reliable. The outside body also is thin. It dents and scratches easily. I would not recommend this car to anyone. I am working with the Hyundai Motor America consumer assistance center now I dont know that it will help.

• 

  Very Happy 3rd Time Owner - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Special Ari - October 17 - 5:16 pm

  I first puchased a used 99 elantra. I had that car for a few years with no problems. My fiance bought a new Accent and I just bought a new 5door Elantra GT. I am increadably happy. This is my first new car and I am comfortable knowing i will be taken car of with the warrenty especially since I am a student. Remember you get a lot of car for such a low price because Hyundai is still making a name for itself in this country. The GT is fun to drive, the manual is very responsive and the suspension firm, but not harsh. I look good in this car and I look forward to driving it. Also I must say the six speaker stereo is loud and very clear. This is no econobox.

• 

  Best bang for the buck ever! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By rodendo - October 17 - 10:00 am

  For twenty grand this is more car than I ever expected. It out styles all of the Japanese competition and is a blast to drive. The V-6 is the only way to go. Bought this one for my wife so went for the automatic but every time I get in I reach for the clutch. It just feels like you should be banging through the gears.

• 

  Good Little Car - 1994 Hyundai Elantra
  By cjohn - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Elantra with 117000 miles on it. The gas mileage is about 27 on the highway. I like the way the interior is set up> Im not too wild about the lavender paint though. The power is sufficent for the engine size.

• 

  Love it, but not unconditionally - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By curtis - October 14 - 11:00 pm

  Love the car overall but it does have limitations. Car handles and drives great and looks even better. Love the saddle leather interior though seats are very firm. Ride is a little rough, when coupled with road noise makes any trip over an hour tiresome with back/butt aches. GT was $27k out the door (incl the $500 military rebate), VERY well equipped for the price. Cockpit feel is great with everything within easy reach but has limited storage. Clutch is VERY hard to master- HATE IT! Very difficult to shift smoothly w/o skipping gears to improve smoothness(i.e. going 1-3-5 or 2-4-6 instead of 1,2,3,4...). Was a die-hard 6-spd guy, now Im cured. Nav is easy to use but screen is a tad bit small

• 

  Tiburon GT - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Lori - October 13 - 10:33 am

  Love the look of the Vehicle and boy is it quick when it needs to go! Good on gas. Not very comfortable for me to drive.

• 

  Great Value - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By cfgroff - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I was first conserned about buying a Hyundai because of there reputation of being a poorly built auto. However my conserns are know none existent because my Sante Fe has ran beautifully for three straight years. I do alot of traveling on the weekends and I have always had room for all my luggage or whatever else I may carrying in the rear. I would encourage people to give Hyundia a try well at least the Sante Fe.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Keith3939 - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Have had this car 2 weeks ...26 mpg Excellent fun to drive car... Good economy and pickup .. Poor radio reception.. Paint wore off in 2 spots ...

• 

  NOT BAD HYUNDAI, NOT BAD AT ALL!!! - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By TYLER - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY LITTLE HYUNDAI ACCENT!IT IS FUN TO DRIVE,ESPECIALLY ON THE BACK ROADS. THE ENGINE POWER IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO SCOOT AROUND THE LOW 2,280 POUNDS OF A CAR.I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM MY UNCLES DEALERSHIP IN MARYLAND,AND EVERY THING SO FAR HAS BEEN GREAT! FIRST GEAR IS DESIGNED PERFECTLY TO PULL YOU INTO TRAFFIC QUICKLY, BUT NOT EXACTLY EASILY.IT TOOK SOME GETTIN USED TO BUT IVE GOT IT DOWN.IT REALLY SUPRISED ME THAT A 105 HP ENGINE DID SO WELL.IT IS VERY FUN TO DRIVE,AND I WOULD HIGHLY RECCOMEND ONE!!!