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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  You get what you pay for! - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By LovetheTib - July 14 - 9:00 pm

  I have owned both the Tiburon GS and SE. Though I loved the GS for its fuel economy and affordable pricing, the SE surpasses it by miles. I noticed that the only negative reviews about the Tiburon are from owners of the base trim; all I can say is that you get what you pay for! Though I prefer a good old fashioned American V8, the six speed manual transmission that comes standard on the SE makes the most of the 180 horsepower offered by this V8. This car FLIES and the upgraded suspension and brakes(better than the GT) make this car a blast to drive on the back roads! Not to mention - the SE tops out around 150. Hyundai always has and always will make the most car for the money.

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  great value - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By pjm - July 14 - 11:36 am

  only has it 2 weeks but am pleased over all with the Tucson

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  More than I expected for what I paid - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By panoguy - July 13 - 10:10 pm

  First looked at CRV, RAV4, 09 Forester, Outlander, and Outback (in that order). Finally got over my fear of Hyundai from the old Excel days and tried the Santa Fe. Bingo! The Santa Fe strikes a great balance between size, mpg, comfort and performance (for an SUV). Plus, it has many luxury "extras" standard (except an iPod jack, which I added). Drove nearly 1000 miles in the first week and love it! Interior fit and finish is Lexus-excellent, and outside it looks like most other "luxury mini- SUVs" after the redesign in 07. The Limited trim has a great stereo, leather heated seats, sunroof - all for the price of a mid-level CR-V or RAV4. Reliability is said to be good, but well see...

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  Great value for latest safety features - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dkslc - July 13 - 1:00 am

  I bought the 2007 Sonata at 0% APR. No interest, nothing beats that. I was looking for car with all the safety features. I dont care about horse powers or handling at high speeds. I care about going from point A to point B more safely than my old car. This car does and saves me a lot of buck. 260 hp is not going to get me to work/grocery any faster than 160 hp. So if you are looking to get a good car with good safety features and save a buck while at it, go with the sonata.

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  Windows not tempered enough - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By offalycute - July 12 - 12:32 pm

  The windows on my Elantra are not tinted enough and the care get extrememly hot - enough to heat a meal if left on dashboard and I have a wheel cover on the steering wheel so I can touch it. I live in the south and it gets very hot. On long trips I have to keep something over my knees if it is in the summer and I have on short pants. The AC is somewhat inadequate unless run on high. Contacted Hyuandi America and they claim it is a problem for the dealership. So much for customer satisfaction. Will not purchase another one

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  Awesome car! - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Daily Driver - July 12 - 5:17 am

  26 months, rolled 56,000 miles with NO issues. Observed fuel mileage of 30 MPG, combined. First set of tires lasted 30K miles am still on the original brakes, front and rear. I change the oil every 5,000 miles. Threw in a K&N Filter when new so the 30K service was just an oil change, tranny flush, and fresh plugs for $150, total. Was thrilled to find out this car has a timing chain not a belt so no $500 timing belt service is needed at 60K, just fresh plugs, coolant flush, brake line flush, and probably another tranny flush with an oil change to the tune of about $300. I drive the car every day and drive it hard. Its been well cared for and has performed flawlessly for me.

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  Middle of the Road - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By picky picky - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I looked at Hyundai because of the warranty...and I fell in love with the leather seats, luxury features, and smooth ride for the great price. However, Ive been disappointed with the paint job, the fuel economy with the lack of pick up, and looking at trade in value...yikes! I like my XG, but I think Ill go back to Toyota for my next car.

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  Is it perfect now? (03) - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By cobas - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This car makes commuting a pleasure I look forward to twice a day. After six months, I still dont like having to get out of it, and still look back at it after parking. I cant believe what I paid for it. I get nothing but compliments on the ride and interior, and the cargo space is huge. I stuffed a 6-foot pine tree back there with the hatch closed and room to spare. I keep discovering thoughtful details.

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  my santafe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ellen Perlson - July 9 - 10:00 am

  So far after 4000 miles in 2 months I love my santa fe. Tons of room for me my show dogs and all their gear. This is a fun car to drive.

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  Nice car for a nice price - 2008 Hyundai Azera
  By CarFan - July 8 - 10:39 pm

  Purchased used from dealer (executive car with only 22K miles) It was extremely well taken care of and looks and drives brand new...still smells new! It now has almost 30K and Im still pleased with it plan to keep it a long time. I get lots of compliments and now that I have one Im starting to notice them on the road more. You cant beat it for the price...however the Genesis is very tempting.