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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  Problems with Blower Control Knob - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chris K - January 21 - 7:30 pm

  I actually like my 2004 Santa Fe which I purchased new back in May of 2004. I have a problem that I cannot resolve. Each year I have a problem with my blower control knob. The blower starts to run only on one level and eventually stops altogether. It has cost me several hundred dollars each time I have had this fixed only to be back in the same situation the next year. Right now I have been only able to use my heat or A/C on high because it wont work on any other level. Thanks, TOO HOT OR TOO COLD

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  First Impressions - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Tom K. - January 21 - 11:03 am

  Just bought it this past weekend, but already I know Im going to like this car a LOT. Im only getting 19.5 MPG on the first tank, but well see how it goes. Got a GREAT deal. A lot of car for the money. Excellent quality.

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  Not really pleased - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By tjpswoosh - January 21 - 9:13 am

  Bought the Santa Fe after quite a bit of research. Cant tow even close the half of the listed weight, listed a 19 gallon gas tank, can only put 17 in bone dry. Already have a leak that needs to be repaired on the timing cover. Was told it is an issue they are having with the 3.3 engines. Lots of bang for the buck but not happy with there already being mechanical issues.

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  Excellent Purchase! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Ms. Lidwine H. Comea - January 21 - 3:16 am

  I purchased my Tiburon new and with the exception of one factory recall for a seat belt issue, I have had no problems. I have a five-speed 6 cyl, and get great fuel mileage, both in city and long distance driving. I have the required maintenance done and with 45,155 miles on this baby I have only one complaint. The low profile tires require replacing every two years or so. This is not Hyundais fault, its the tire manufacture that need to be more responsible in making a better "low" profile tire. The AC, clutch, transmission, etc., has never given me any problems, and Ive traveled back and forth to Canada several times with no problems or complaints. Great vehicle!

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!! VWs no more! - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Thetaj - January 20 - 11:26 pm

  Ive been driving Volkswagons, Jettas and Passats to be exact for over 15 years and those cars had so many bugs! My last two VWs were in the shop all the time. I kept seeing everyone driving Hyundai and I keep hearing about these heaven sent warranties, So I walked into a Hyundai dealership and saw my baby!!! I black opal, Elantra Touring... I didn’t even test drive it but I knew it was the one! I ran home and got my husband and we test drove it... he rolled his eyes and I fell in love (again, of course). I’ve never had a Bluetooth and I love it! I love the iPod connection, SWEET! Im really into wagons right now and this one is sexy and functional!

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  I am satisfied - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mary S - January 20 - 3:03 pm

  This is my first brand new car, but Im not really excited about it. This car is just basic transportation, in a decent looking frame. I spend almost 2 hours a day in my car and the Elantra is reasonably comfortable. I am averaging 27 mpg...I thought it would be a bit better. Anyway, I chose the maroon color and I get many compliments on the color. I was also impressed with the many standard features. Its still new so I hope it continues running well!!!

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gogrego - January 19 - 7:56 pm

  23,000 flawless miles! Well almost. Its only been back to the dealer once after about 2000 miles to reset the check engine light. It hasnt come back on since. Also, the auto climate control got stuck on 68 degree outdoor temp and they fixed that. Theres a TSB on it. Since that time all Ive done is change the oil. I also pull a 3000 lb small travel trailer with it occasionally. Pulls it great. Very stable. MPG with trailer is 10-13. MPG without trailer= city 17-18 / Hwy 22-25. The best mpg I ever got was a long trip locked on cruise on a fairly flat road going 65 to 72 mph max. It averaged 25.6. On the trip back I went 75-80 and it got 23.5.

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  Sonata Limited - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By doug130 - January 19 - 4:03 pm

  Have 6000 miles .....just great around car..looks good...rides good...by far best value in this car segment. Have owned many hondas....the sonata is hands down a better value with same quality

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  NEVER AGAIN - 1998 Hyundai Accent
  By April - January 19 - 1:49 pm

  This car is not worth the gas you put into it. At 70,000 miles, it totally fell apart. It would have cost more to fix it than what it was worth. The axles needed to be replaced. The engine block cracked. The exterior door handles broke off of it. I mean, really, the door handles?! The list goes on, but I don’t have enough characters to tell about each one. When it was working, it could barely go up the freeway ramp. It didnt like going above 50 mph. All around a piece of junk!

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  Do not buy this car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By jflo - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I had the care for about 5 months. I put 8000 hazardous miles on it. Rattles, squeeks, terrible acceleration...just a sucky car! Finally the throttle wore out last month leaving me stranded on the side of the road! Roadside assist took 3 hours to arrive! I couldnt believe it! In only 5 months this car had gone from brand new best buy to a clunker! So I got rid of the hunk o junk! Hyundai was not surprised at all of my complaints, and said that many people have the same difficulty