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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  Some Problems but overall a decent car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Former Truck Guy - August 28 - 5:21 pm

  I bought this vehicle used in August of 08 to replace a wrecked vehicle. It is fun to drive. I average 28 miles to the gallon. I have replace two headlights and have had numerous break problems with both the rear brakes and the E brake. Hyundai has not been kind about repairs.

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  Excellent value & quality for the money - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Ellen Clark - August 23 - 3:19 pm

  Good daily driver that is also good highway traveler. SHIFTRONIC transmission make driving in mountains of Colorado and Utah a pleasure and prevents overheating brakes. Engine, transmission and mechanical perform well in 110+ degree desert heat. Paint has held up well in cloudless sunny skies of Arizona. The battery needed replacement after 2 years, the coolant tank cracked (but did not leak) and the dash top cover cracked, and all were replaced free under warranty by dealer. The seat, foot pedal and steering column adjustments combined with the integrated memory system easily accommodates out 2 drivers who have an 8 inch height difference. This Azera is 3 years old and has 30,000 miles

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  Terrible gas mileage - 2013 Hyundai Sonata
  By herbthau - August 23 - 2:14 am

  This is our third Hyundai Sonata. It gets just terrible gas mileage. The two previous Sonatas got much better mileage. Went back to dealer and got this answer from the technician. There were no codes showing a problem and 19.9 city and 27 highway is acceptable. Called Hyundai and got nowhere. This is not acceptable. This is my last Sonata. Herb

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  good for the pirce - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Z - August 21 - 9:58 pm

  I bought this 2001 Elantra GLS 5-speed back in 2001. Im in the market for a new car now, after about 8 years and 130,000. The car still runs fine, but little things like the power windows, catalytic converter, etc. have given me reason to buy another car (possibly another Hyundai). The car was 100% reliable through out most of its life so far. I have driven it through all kinds of weather conditions, and even drove it cross-country. Despite two low-impact collisions, only cosmetic damage was done the car drove on as if though nothing happened. I still have the original clutch on it, and it works fine! I think its time to retire this one it served its purpose, and served it well.

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  For the money its super - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By mike34293 - August 20 - 9:50 am

  There isnt much to say except that there isnt anything on the market that competes with this car. Its short comings are minor and the quality is unbelievable.

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  bought for college - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By polystang - August 19 - 10:30 pm

  Bought for my final year at school. So far I am very satisfied. The engine is quite powerful for its class and its handles well. The sound system is nothing to brag about but all in all it is a very good little car at a good price. Recommended to anyone also, Im a big guy. 6,2 and build. I fit in it very well. Good head room and decent legroom

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  Loyal Hyundai owners - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Robin - August 19 - 6:47 pm

  This is our third Hyundai, our first sonata. We have put 80000 miles on it in three years. We love the 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Can travel from Houston to Wichita Falls on one tank of gas! We love the roominess and the low cost of maintenance. We have not had any trouble with it.

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  12 years no trouble - then sudden death - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By dave072968 - August 18 - 5:01 am

  I bought my 2000 Tiburon April 2000. It was my first brand new car. All I did was oil changes and gas and go for 12 years and had few problems with it until it died. The car looks fast and is fast enough to pass and get plenty of tickets but will not win any races so dont try. It has been a good car for the most part. The timing belt wore out. Now they tell me its gonna cost at least $4400 to fix it.

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  Meets my expectations - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mark - August 17 - 8:53 am

  Overall Im very impressed. Commuter car bought for just under $18K in Franklin, TN. 4 cylinder is okay but could use more power for this size of car. Only problem is with the Hankook tires. Car rides great and is ultra quite - quieter than our Acura TL. Ive driven two 09 models as loaners and they are very loud. Hyundai must have taken out some of the insulation. Im not too impressed with the mpg. If I really baby the car on the interstate I can get 28 mpg at 70 mph w/out AC. (I check mpg at the pump - computer is not accurate.) I average 25-26 per tank mostly highway but really have to stay under 70. Car driven 6K so far. I do recommend this car based on comfort, quite ride and price.

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  Expensive to Maintain - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By Richard - August 17 - 12:30 am

  I bought this car new in 2001 and I called it a "Poor Mans Lexus." The initial quality was rock solid but I had to replace the transmission at 90k and Hyundai pcked up the cost. I had the shuddering thing happening that someone mentioned in an earlier posting. Everything else (alternater, brakes, water pump, etc...) was very expensive to fix becuase you can only get genuine Hyundai parts. The check engine light comes on quite a bit and it is always something with this car. It seems to be very sensitive and the oil and oxygen sensors are always turning that damn light back on! Now I was told that it needs to have the catalitic converters ($3,000)replaced so it is time for me to get rid of it.