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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  2nd Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By stanman - January 10 - 10:00 am

  We have 2 Elantras in our family; the other is a 2001 Elantra GLS with nearly 30,000 miles. Both vehicles have performed very well and have proven to be very reliable. The only problem to date was with the radio/cd player in the 2001 model. After the 3rd swap by the dealership (Keyes)its been fine.

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  Honda quality at Hyundai prices - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By ALTY - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the Hyundai after pricing all the cars in this catagory and driving most of them. I thought I would take a chance on the Hyundai because of the 10 year 100000 mile warranty and havent been dissapointed about anything with the car. It drives and handles every bit as well as a Honda or Toyota plus it will outrun either of them and get 38 MPG on the highway. I will buy another one.

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  Great Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Surrey - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for a full featured car that we good afford. So far, the Hyundai seems to be well built, quiet and gets good gas mileage. Only very minor criticism is the drivers side overhead grab handle, which I continue to hit my head on when exiting the car. Other than that, great car for the money.

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  Dont Ever Buy A Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By whatwarranty? - January 10 - 10:00 am

  After 9 mos. the car was falling apart. From the exterior paint peeling, to one window that can no longer operate and another that the cable broke and it fell into the door. My brother owns a Sonata also. The engine blew at 50000 miles. Hyundai and the dealership both refused to honor their "fabulous" warranty for ridiculous reasons. Over $2,000 later out of pocket expenses, he has to go to court to get reimbursed, maybe... A bicycle can get onto the highway faster! NEVER BUY A HYUNDAI

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By den - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Exellent Warrenty....Wish American Cars could do that good

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  Excellent and Fun Car To Own - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ife Zachary - January 10 - 10:00 am

  My experience so far with owning a Hyundai Sonata has been excellent. I havent had any problems since I have had it. I keep up with my oil changes. The car is very reliable. One time I forgot my lights on all night. The battery didnt drain. There is a power saving mode that the car goes into when you leave your lights on. It is great. I think that I made a wise decision on my car and you cant beat the warranty. It is a all around grat car for the price.

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  Sonata is a great car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dave - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I would recommend Sonata to anyone considering an Accord or Camry. Having owned a couple of Accords & having friends with Camrys. The Sonata is just as reliable & so much more affordable. Everyone thought it was uncool to by a Honda in the early 80s.

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  My dream car - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dwhatever - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I researched and research and test drove and test drove and finally settled on the Santa Fe. Boy am I happy. Her name is Carmen and she runs just like a dream. I am looking forward to many happy years driving her.

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  Good XG350 - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Frank Sessa - January 10 - 4:00 am

  This Hyundai is a fin family car. I has agood pickup,good road feel,heavy feeling ride and stops real good. The Interior is first rate and plenty roomy.

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  Traveling in a Tucson - 2014 Hyundai TUCSON
  By melanie - January 9 - 5:50 pm

  I purchased this car last November. I researched a lot of SUVs before deciding on this one. I am also a previous Hyundai owner. This SUV rides very smooth and is comfortable for long road trips. The interior looks sharp as well as the outside. The two things that it is missing is a latch for the trunk on the inside (its opened only from the outside) and there are not any lights in the mirrors in the sun visors. I find that to be odd. Every vehicle should have it. The gas is not as good as they report it to be. I have never reached the 29 mpg. The best highway miles I have received was 25.8. The best city miles I have received is 24.6. Overall, it still has better gas mileage than most.