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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  Great car! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Scott Anderson - August 6 - 8:30 pm

  I started looking at a Hyundai three years ago but I needed a hatchback and they didnt have one. I bought a Nissan Versa then. Finally Hyundai brought a hatchback back into the lineup and I made the change. Much roomier than the Versa and a much more solid feel. Handles very well. I agree that the ride is not that of a luxury car but four of us took a trip and everyone was comfortable. I am averaging 28MPG. I would love it to be a little better but I cant complain for what I get. Before I bought this I checked out Honda, Scion, Mazda, Toyota and Subaru. This was a better deal than all the others. What you get for what you pay is far ahead of the others. I love it!

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  Watch Out For Faulty Airbags!!!!!! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By itfigures - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Though we loved our GT, weve had problems with the front/passengar airbags twice (dealer had to replace module once, then the connector). AND, when we got into a front-end collision at 35mph (hit a truck t-bone), our airbags failed to deploy. Dealership is giving us the runaround as is Hyundai corporate. Just watch out.

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  My 2013 Santa Fe Sport, FWD w/leather - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pete3478 - July 31 - 8:53 pm

  We have owned a new 2013 Santa Fe Sport for one month now. We have traveled from Chicago to Mackinac down thru Wisconsin and a week later from Chicago to Branson, Memphis, Nashville, Gatlinburg and back. Approx. 3000miles all together. On the low side we got 22.5 mpg to 28 mpg on the high side. This was done in moderately hilly terrain and a tight new engine. My wife loves it. The standard 4 cyl engine has good pep and 6 speed transmission works well. A VERY quiet ride for a SUV. Leather seats are comfortable with good adjustments. Handles and brakes with good feel. While the steering is on the light side with not a lot of feel, I personally wouldnt call it dangerous.

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  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAR FOR! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By ROD - July 30 - 10:00 am

  WITH ONLY 48,000 MILES IT FEELS LIKE I NEED A NEW FRONT END. CAR HANDLES VERY POOR IN THE RAIN.

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  My two cents - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By mmc - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I believe that its a great car for the money. Its roomy and somewhat comfortable. The stereo system is not bad, either.

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  Mostly Great - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bosley1 - July 29 - 9:40 am

  The acceleration is smooth and if done properly, feels as if you are gliding in an airplane. No complaints with the noise level. It handles very well in ice and snow with proper driving skills. The downsides are that the gas mileage is not as good as I had hoped, the front seats seam to have a lot of give as you are entering and exiting the car (and I am not a heavy person). I have two chips in the windshield within a year vs. no chips in the windshield of my old Dodge Caravan after taking many heavy hits, and driving the same routes as I do in the Hyundai.

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  My First New Car - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Robb - July 29 - 8:46 am

  So far I am happy with my 2006 Elantra. Its my first brand new car, so that might have a lot to do with it. However, It has pep, its comfortable inside and I enjoy driving it... My husband who drives a mini van said it drives nice too. I wish it had cup holders in the back, other than that I have no complaints..

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  Hooked on Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bryan - July 28 - 9:13 pm

  After dumping my mint condition 98 Lincoln Continental, I was worried about adjusting to a smaller engine. No worries now! No adjustment issues, Sonata is more quiet with a smoother ride. Paid a little extra and got the 10 yr bumper to bumper warranty. Upgraded raido to Eclipse GPS through dealership and love it, would never own a car w/ out one. Im getting 24 - 26 mpg on the hwy, but am doing 80 mph. Ill have a good laugh at the Honda Accord buyers when they take their cars in for service when their 3 yr warranty runs out! Parents dumped Cadillac for the Azera, sister dumped Civic for a Sonata, too. Stop hesitating and get one.

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  Lousy Bumper cover - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By freddiew - July 24 - 10:17 am

  I own this Santa Fe since last week of 2010. Driving is not too bad at all but last week while I drive in my parking space with almost no speed, the bumper cover fell off. I push most of the bumper cover back except the driver side corner. Body shop at dealer said must get another bumper at cost of $1078. Called Hyundai and they said drive in snow is not cover by warranty. Most bumper must meet 5mph requirement thus means this is a "TOFU" comparable bumper. Even I have the money to replace same thing will happen again if is getting near any snow or things. Disappointing................! Mistake to buy one!

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  good car except door handles - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By Steve H - July 23 - 8:17 am

  Just wanted to add my experience to the list. Have had 2 outside door handles break off. Owned maybe 20 cars in 45 years, never had one door handle break off until this one. Have trouble reading the clock in the daylight.