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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  Elantra GLS - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By weyler - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I am happy with the reliability of the car above all. and if ever it were to fail, it has the 100K, 10 yr. warranty. I am used to a v-6 and miss that, but for a 4 cylinder it has a lot of pick-up-and-go

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  Hyundia Santa Fe Sport - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fulltag - August 22 - 5:24 pm

  Weve only had our Santa Fe Sport for a month but so far so good. So this review is about my experience dealing with Hyundai. In shopping for the Santa Fe, we found out that they are very limited on their availability for certain models. We were looking for Santa Fe Sport in Cabo Bronse with the popular package. There was NOT ONE in California. I also found out that there were only 3-4 in the state with these specs with colors only in white, black, and silver. The dealer said they can get our choice color, but the could not, so please research and shop around before buying.

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  Not bad - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By 5000 - August 19 - 7:10 pm

  I just got my ride today 9-1-2009 and I drove it today about 60 miles and it was a different experience for me. I have a 07 BMW 335i twin turbo and that thing just makes anything out there seem pretty tame and lame. This car is not bad for $29,500 that I paid for it. I got it for 400 over invoice and I am sorry to see the BMW go. Now this Hyundai is a head turner and I have to until the 2011 535is come out with the new body style and engine. For the money the car is nice.

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  Excellent until 5000 miles - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By slveradoltz13 - August 15 - 8:38 pm

  Bought the car in early 2013, we drive it weekly on the weekends. Loved it until last 2 months ago when we took a long trip in it. It started to surge on acceleration and sometimes fall on its face. Took to dealer and they were unable to reproduce. It gets worse the more we drive it. am now afraid to take a long trip in it. Have driven only a few times since back from dealer. Probably will trade soon as soon as I figure what to try next. Bought a Silverado 2013 this year also and love it, have 12000 miles on it with no issues.

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  love this car BUT - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Shannon - August 8 - 10:30 pm

  I bought my car used in 05. I love the look of the car and its fun to drive and very comfy and roomy BUT I have had nothing but trouble with it. had to replace rear end, new battery that I was told had to be Hyundai specific and cost$132, trouble with pedal sensors and now damper pulley and timing belt. It is horrible in the winter to start and when it does it doesnt want to drive! it does tend to jerk sometimes when shifting. Its a shame i really do love this car but probably wont buy another one.

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  Brand New - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RCLNH - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I had my heart set on a Ford Escape or a Toyota RAV 4 but after driving it I found the Escape noisy and boring. Who would want a 3 year warranty when you can have a 5 year, 60000 miles with Hyundai? The Santa Fe is a much better looking car with a comfortable interior and excellent value for money. I know there are people who will always say a Hyundai is a Hyundai. Well, I suggest they go and drive the car before giving it the third degree. Im very pleased with the purchase.

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  car rocks,still too new to be sure - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By adamreed - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Have not bought the car yet but I have had it for a couple of days and so far it is suprisingly impressive. Styling is sexy other than a very trendy front end look. Interior continues to impress with its ergonomics and comfort. Engine and tranny are coupled together quite well...gearing is near perfect to match the peaky torque character of engine. I am very skeptical of a Korean car after years of Euro and Japanese ownership but the initial feel blows me away. Warranty huge selling point...it better be because whoever buys one will have to keep it until it is paid off because of lackluster resale value.

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  Smart Car, Smart Consumer - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By BIGA - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I can honestly say that I am most impressed with this vehicle. Standing at 20k on the road and many months in the passange/drivers seat I have grown to appreciate the ergonomics, powertrain, and the climate control system in this vehicle. For those of larger stature, this car is easy to access (64" and still comfortable in the front, less so in the back). It is more powerful than the competition yet it remains composed at all corners, unlike most econos. Value is the word of the day and this car aims to please the wallet and the commuter.

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  Great Value, for the price - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Joe - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 05 Tucson in October and so far so good. The exterior is flashy and the interior isnt half bad either. the small v6 is good on gas and still has the pep that it should. Gear timing could be spaced a little more but i use the manual power shifter most of the time anyway. Good stock 6 speaker sound system with good midrange. Seat adjustment knobs are a little funny to play with; havent quite found that perfect setting. 6 airbags are wonderful and give me peace of mind. Decent MPG. A great little sport cross for the price. I am impressed.

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  A so-so vehicle - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TW - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the vehicle almost a year now. I think it is an okay vehicle for the price you are paying, with good features, but there are some annoying deficiencies. On the plus side, the acceleration is very good, the handling is pretty good for an SUV, the interior is above average, and you get a long list of advance features. On the negative side, the ride is a little bit harsh. There are some fit and finish issues. The rear door needs to be slammed to close properly. The rear hatch area is not aligned perfectly. Occasionally there are some annoying squeaks and rattles from various parts of the car which speak to poor build quality. So far, I havent any transmission problems.