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:

• 

  Fun to drive - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By cloud - October 17 - 11:10 pm

  Picked this car up during snow storm. Performed very well. Enjoying it very much. Family of five fits comfortably.

• 

  Its been Great - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brian3 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This was my second new car purchase and I had been researching the Elantra for a while. I was really impressed with the standard features, reviews by other owners and the price. It has been reliable with no real problems. The only complaints I have are the drivers seat doesnt adjust very well. It seems to move with me like it is not latching very well. I havent had a chance to take back for a check-up on that. My other is just about the dealership. Their selling practices are a little "high pressure". Other than that, I am very pleased with my Hyundai Elantra.

• 

  a lot of car for the money - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By julianef - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable for a medium built person, remarkably quiet within 60mph, has all basic stuff: AC, CD, power windows and mirrors, interior trim is well done. Took it on a 1600miles ride, performed well, 36mpg, however, becomes unstable and noisy at speeds above 65-70mph. The 1.6l engine manual provides good acceleration, one has no problems at all merging onto highway, around 30- 32mpg in suburban comuting. It does not excel in any regard, but everything is done right, one can not expect more from this type of entry level car. If the reliability improves for the new 2001-2002 model it is definitely a better choice than a 3-4y old Civic or Corolla.

• 

  Must test drive - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tony - October 8 - 6:23 am

  I never thought we would consider buying a Hyundai product. On the way to look at Toyotas we test drove a loaded 2005. Good ride, good standard equipment. good build quality and best warranty as well as saving thousands over the competition. Best Buy!

• 

  Great Vehicle, So far... - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jblewis - October 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a 2004, 3.5, GLS AWD Santa Fe about a week ago. Im sure we made the right choice. We looked at Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Tribute and RAV 4. None rode as comfortably. Very smooth handling. Feels solid, too. A few minor quibbles about the interior--the armrest is too low, the windshields angle picks up some weird glare in certain sunlight conditions and the cup holders could be better placed. Of course if youve looked at the Santa Fe you know that gas mileage is terrible. But we liked the ride so much that we simply pledged to walk a little more and drive a little less to conserve some fuel.

• 

  Hyundai Veracruz - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Disappointed - October 5 - 2:40 am

  I purchased this vehicle in the FWD Model and not the AWD version. It is horrible in the snow, I had other FWDs and they blew this vehicle away. It gets stuck with just a dusting of snow. It also hydroplanes on the Interstate with just a little rain. The divers side window would not go up and had to go abck to dealership to correct the problem. The brake rotors had to be ground down to get rid of the shimming when the brakes were applied. I am very disappointed at the 29,000 dollar vehicle. i am getting rid of it to get something I can feel safe driving.

• 

  Poor mans Honda - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vince - October 2 - 9:10 am

  For the price is a very good car, but after 1875 miles my driver side window strated to squeak when going up or down. Other than that its very good.

• 

  Hyundai youve come a long way - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Molly Cartwright - September 23 - 1:41 pm

  Overall Id say the car is definitely a winner. The only mechanical work Ive had done in over 10 years of ownership, brakes, oil changes, O2 sensor, fuel gauge. Interior quality is its biggest drawback. Both visors broke for no apparent reason. The rear seat fold down has a design flaw, when you set the seat back, theres a good chance you end up with crinkled carpet, and both rear map pockets are gone. If those things are still intact, consider yourself lucky. Id buy it again 10 times over.

• 

  The Hyundai Xperiment - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jerald Rose - September 22 - 9:43 pm

  The feel of the Santa Fe is very comfortable and smooth, sleek SUV and great on power. Havent been a owner for a long time, but the experience is great so far.

• 

  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY - September 16 - 2:46 am

  I wanted a tiby more than anything! I bought it 11 months ago with 30,000 & I have put 18,000 miles on it so far. I have gone through 3 clutches!!!!!!!! Yes, 3 clutches! This is the worse clutch, fly wheel & pressure plate quality I have ever seen. There is no way you can go through 3 clutches in 18,000 miles. I have driven clutches my untire life. I have paid $700 for each clutch. This is the bigest peice of junk I have ever had. I like the looks & style, but that is no good if it doesnt run!!!! now I cant stand foriegn cars!!! I wish I would have bought a Mustang!! And I will be trading this peice of junk in for an AMERICAN MUSCLE!!!!! PS-----DONT BUY THE TIBBY----HORRIBLE CLUTCH!!!