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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  Beware of The Shark! - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By DragonShark - October 11 - 7:53 am

  Always wanted a Tibby since new generation body styling....Its finally mine! I love this car. Comfortable and unique bucket seats. Quiet but powerful V6. Great exterior & interior styling. Best bang for the buck! Move over Honda and Toyota...we now have a Korean car with TONS of aftermarket mods available. My soon-to-be "Tuscani Black Shark" is a fun ride 110% of the time!

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  won over bu Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Robertwithanr - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I was skeptical at first about buying a used Hyundai but after the first six months it seems to be even a better deal. I have owned Hondas and Toyotas but this is as good a car. Great economical and reliable transportation. 75K miles and still going strong.

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  Excellent car - doubly so for the money - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By bikerPA - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Owned since April 31 of this year. Just got it out of the shop at 10k miles - they dropped a new transmission in, the old one grinded shifting into second at anything over 2800rpm. Minor interior trim rattling on rough roads or when the sub is cranked. Other than that, this car is more feature-laden and fun to drive than anything out there under $16k, even taking other cars rebates into effect. The Mazda3 is more fun, with a stronger engine and better aftermarket support, but costs $5k more than the $11,600 I paid for my GT hatch... and if I sink half of that difference into suspension, wheel/tire, and engine upgrades Ill have almost as nice a car customized to my liking. Bravo Hyundai!

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  Driving the first Genesis Coupe in town - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Denise - October 10 - 9:56 am

  Happened to be on the lot when this one arrived at local dealership. Looking for replacement of Elantra totaled this week. It catches your eye immediately. First thoughts, this isnt a Hyundai, but do the walk around and you know. They have really taken this one up a notch. This is the seventh Hyundai for our family and my son has a Tibaron GT. The Tibaron is great but really doesnt compare to the Coupe as far as I am concerned. Drivability is excellent and exciting. Front seat comfort is great and back really isnt terrible, what youd find in any coupe. As a female I am loving the thought that I know what Ive got under me. Drive one, youll see! Parents, drive before you buy for a child

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  Lots of bang for your buck - 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By frankjanet - October 9 - 3:23 pm

  Weve owned it for over a month and had one long road trip. Weve loaded it with 3 passengers and 18 2"x10" four foot long boards along with a roll of fencing. We love the capacity and functionality of it. It was comfortable on the trip. Gas mileage was decent, but a 5 speed auto would be great. Weve been getting ~26mpg and thats mostly around town including a carpool line. Considering it is a compact car, its a great car for a small family. We got the premium package and the ride isnt very bumpy. We also havent found the steering to be vague as mentioned in some reviews.

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  Glad i went for it! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Cleaver - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I was ify about buying a Hyundai i will admit.Mildly put the Excel was JUNK! I have owned every Jap vehicle known and loved them all but i took the chance and after 21/2 yrs am still happy with my decision. My GT runs flawlessly! I have with a few tweaks here and there acheived 37mpg on a trip and have never got less than 30!! You couldnt touch a Honda or Toyota with all the accessories for under 20grand and some options arent even available from them! You do hear complaints but remember Toyota and Honda in the 70s? Look at them now! Personally the worst vehicles are American sadly...Look at the recalls!,After 100yrs or close to, We still cant get it right

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  I Love my Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Donna R. - October 9 - 2:00 am

  My Elantra is fun to drive, stylish, great on gas and roomy. Excellent value. I would definately purchase another Hyundai.

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  Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By mommythree - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my car!

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  A very Very Happy Customer - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Frank Bauer - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my oldest daughter an elantra in 2002 for her high school graduation present she was leaving for college and I liked the warranty. But after her driving it for 2 yrs and no warranty claims and the satisfaction she got and the peace of mind I got I bought my other daughter a 2004 Elantra for her High School Graduation Present. When I get the 2002 paid off Im going to buy my wife the sharp looking SUV that Hyundai has to offer. Thank-You Hyundai for putting the customer first.

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  hyaundi - the right stuff - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By bubba4u - October 9 - 2:00 am

  inexpensive,yet doesnt feel cheap.reliable.a great car for someone who racks up the miles quickly.highly reccommended