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:

• 

  Great car-Poor MPG - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By PoppyJ - September 21 - 7:47 pm

  This is one great car except for the city MPG which I am getting only 13-14 mpg. On a trip to the Hyundai factory in Montgomery AL. I averaged 27MPG which is respectable. That plant is really something to see and worth the 650 mile trip each way. My poor gas mileage is on file with my dealer, Maybe I have a lemon which I am following up on.

• 

  Very impressed - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By GL w/sport pkg - September 20 - 8:02 pm

  I have only had this vehicle since end of July 2009 and must say that I am quite happy with it so far. It is the GL w/ the sport package(rear spoiler, 16 " alum. wheels, fog lights and skirt package. It really makes the car stand out beside a regular elantra. My only complaint is the rear trunk lid has developed a very annoying rattle, dealer says it may be the spare tire tools and jack. Otherwise, it is a great little car. Great on gas, fit and finish is good, and it handles quite nicely. Anyone considering a Toyota Corola, or Honda Civic should look at this vehicle before they buy...

• 

  So far, so good - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By krikel - September 18 - 10:20 pm

  Have to say its a good car for the money. Others complained about tires, but mine came with Michelins which were replaced just recently (I have 45K on the car). Brake pads replaced 1x so far, & just now need new battery. Only complaint is driver side wiper fails (loosens) when icy snow builds up (living in MA, this is gonna happen). Dealership told me Hyundai designed wiper to fail rather than ice buildup making wiper motor burn out. If this is true, why didnt they make it so the passenger side wiper fails when it ices up rather than drivers side? Also had weird problem with brake lights staying on, but was just a stuck switch. Dealership fixed at no cost as it was covered under warranty

• 

  First Day... - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By VJ and Rich - September 18 - 10:00 am

  We looked at all small SUVs and found the best values at Hyundai, so it was between the Santa Fe and the Tucson. The Tucsons interior sold us and the ride was very smooth and quiet. After we got it, during the long drive home (35 miles) the seats were alil too firm compared to the comfort of the Santa. We love the option of having the front seats fold down and make a long long back seat, very relaxing. We would say its not as powerful however its very adequate for around-the-town travel.

• 

  Looks good but.... - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By levadaeller - September 17 - 10:26 pm

  My XG350L seems to have a transmission problem which the dealership cannot fix and the manufacturer is unwilling to allow replacement parts. It drives great most of the time, but occasionally and without warning has no power on startup, almost as though it is not in gear. It looks great both inside and out. Hyundai has done a good job with design and features, if they can just get over the continuing transmission difficulties they will have a competitor at the top of the mid- size car category which looks and feels like a much more expensive automobile.

• 

  Solid choice for the money - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dan - September 17 - 9:50 pm

  Hyundai is obviously not Toyota or Honda..that being said the Santa Fe is our third Hyundai SUV and we have never had major issues with any of them. The ride in this SUV is by far the quietest and most comfortable of other SUVs in ITS PRICE RANGE. We also have a 2008 CRV and the Santa Fe is a much better pic for highway travel. Gas mileage on the other hand has not improved from our older Santa Fe. I consistently get 21mpg mixed driving. You will not get 24mpg on a tank,ever. On a road trip I managed 23mpg going 70mph. Our AWD CRV averages 25mpg...then again its lighter and a 4cyl. Fit and finish is great; front seat is not good for tall drivers..but acceptable. Trade-in is terrible

• 

  hyundai tiburon review - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By reece - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Runs great and fun to drive. However, pulls to the side when hitting a bump or pothole. Very bad in snow. In snow and sleet, drives like a rear wheel drive or does not go at all. great summer time car. fast and sporty!

• 

  2002 Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Knutbonn - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Car is quiet,comfortable on long drives. Jumpy acceleration when first purchased. Has been corrected. Had problem with fuel system that took four trips to the dealer to correct.

• 

  Am satisfied - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Patrick Kilcoyne - September 14 - 10:46 am

  Bought so as not to drive my truck as much and get better fuel costs.

• 

  3 Years owned and No Problems - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Eric - September 11 - 12:48 pm

  I have owned my Sonata for 3 years now and the only thing I have done (besides the usual oil changes and tire rotation) is purchased tires. It has been better then I could have hoped for. Like most people I shopped around and was saying to myself, "Are you sure you want a Hyundai?". Im pleased I took the chance.I paid 17,500March of 07. It as sun roof, XM, AM/FM Radio, CD, alloy wheels, automatic, all the controls on the steering wheel, well its loaded for a GLS model. Any other brand with the same options was $28,000 for the cheapest. I want mention brands but it was the standard companies. Way more BANG for the BUCK.