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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  Better Than... - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Joe - June 29 - 6:37 pm

  My wife and I prviously owned a Saturn Ion. Compared to that the Hyundai Elantra is head and shoulders above that competition. With the high mileage I put on a year I needed a great warranty. You cant beat 5yr/60,000mile bumper to bumper. Weve had the car for under a year, but after 20,000 miles it still runs like new.

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  The little car that could - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Okie PhD - June 28 - 11:40 pm

  I bought this car in 02 from original owner at 25k miles, now has 70k miles. I have only done regular maintenance, no problems. Gets around 35mpg, good drive to work car. Everything is manual, but that is why it is so inexpensive. Very dependable so far. I bought the car to help out a friend and to replace my 125k fix/repair daily 89 Honda Civic (!) now I will seriously consider Hyundai with other dependable cars on my next purchase.

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  Good car great price! - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By sandor68 - June 28 - 10:21 pm

  Bought a 2008 in January 2014 for $4000. It has over 200,00km. Was looking for second car to drive around instead of my thirsty SUV all the time. I test drove a whole bunch of small cars and at the end it came down to a 2006 Mazda3 and the Tiburon. It all came down to looks and price. Love the Ferrari look and it was $1500 cheaper than the Mazda. Good all around car and handles and brakes better than the Mazda. Love it!

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  check engine light - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By michele - June 28 - 8:47 pm

  I took home my 2006 Elantra the next day after 40 miles the check engine light came on. I took it back to the dealer he said every thing was fine. I got 1/2 mile and the check engine light was on again. I see another review that has the same problem. I am wondering is this a problem. They say I will get a new car tomorrow. The code is cyl 4 missfire when they run a computer check.

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  Corners like my old 65 BMW 1600 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sabrina Hill - June 27 - 10:21 am

  When I was stationed in Germany from 1969 to 1971, I had a 1965 BMW. I put a LOT of "spirited driving miles " on it on the two lane "Bundestrasses" and loved the way it cornered. The 2006 Elantra that I bought in May pleasently shocked me by the way IT handles. I set the cruise at 65 to 70 mph, cross my legs at the ankles, and just drive the car through the corners on the two lanes out here in rural Texas. If anything, the car doesnt feel like Im pushing it in the corners, it just goes through them. This will be the first of many Hyundais, when I pay this off, Ill keep it, and replace my 1990 wrangler with a then new Tucson. BTW, I get 36 to the Gal. on the two lanes out here.

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  Transmission - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SHERI LOTHRIDGE - June 26 - 8:46 am

  I bought the Santa Fe in 2006, within a couple of months I was in having the Cruise control switch replaced and a year later I started having problems with the down shifting to 3rd. They changed out a sensor. In the winter of 09 it didnt want to go into drive when cold brought it in. Couldnt duplicate so there was "nothing wrong". Still having problem. On 4/29/10 the shifting problems started again, so I brought the car back into the shop to have them say "nothing wrong" so they reset the computer. So I picked up my car and two days later I was stuck in the parking lot not able to go anywhere. Lets say it is in the shop waiting approval for new transmission!

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  My First Import - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By Nathaniel Haslage - June 25 - 12:31 pm

  My 2005 Accent is the first import I have ever bought, and because of its price and quality it will not be the last Hyundai I buy. I love the excellent gas mileage (Im getting 40mpg), the agility, and the build quality. My last car was a brand new Cavalier that fell apart in about a year. My Accent takes anything I throw at it with a smile. The only downside that I have noticed is the tires. They are weak, and any tiny little piece of debris from feathers to cigarette butts may cause a puncture. Other than that an Accent is a smart choice for budget- conscious commuter.

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  Owners Review - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Alton Utsey - June 24 - 5:41 pm

  This vehicle is one of the best handling vehicles I have ever owned. It is simply a fun car to drive. Quality is top of the line when comparing other vehicles I have owned. You just dont get tired of driving this car.

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  Worth of Price - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kumar - June 24 - 4:50 am

  Ive had my 2009 Hyundai Sonata for about 2 months and I still love it! I was looking for a fuel- efficient, has comfort with good interior and in low budget. I had everything I realistically needed in a car...Best of all is that its MAINTENANCE-FREE(oil and air filter change only) in normal conditions for 60K miles.

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  Happy, inexpensive motoring - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bob - June 23 - 12:39 pm

  Bought used and have been very satisfied with car. Many features make this seem and feel like a much more expensive vehicle. Style is attractive and interior well thought out. Always thought Saab 3 series was such a pratical car, then they stopped making it as a hatchback. This car is just the same, small outside but hugh inside carrying capacity.