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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  01 Elantra - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By fhar - January 12 - 12:43 pm

  Great Car, rides great. Great gas mileage. Roomy interior for family of four.

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  Good Bang for Your Buck! - 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Nicole - January 11 - 9:53 pm

  We love our new Veracruz!! Weve done a lot of research on crossover vehicles, and test drove several cars before deciding on the VC. Its super comfortable and has so many extras that the competitors charge much more for. This is a great vehicle for the money!

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  happy camper - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By happy camper - January 11 - 8:53 pm

  I have had my Veracruz less than six months. Before buying this car I researched a number of cars. My plan all along was to buy a toyota. With my comparsion of cars I tried to throw the Veracruz out of the group.After driving the Veracruz it was a done deal.The one and best feature of the Hyundai is the warranty. No one tops this and it speaks for the car. Remember when the Toyota came into our market we were not sure it was as good the U.S. made cars. Hyundai is now in that space. I am here to tell you after owning two toyotas the Hyundai is its equal and one step better with the warranty.

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  Dependable - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By CaseyJPS - January 11 - 2:58 am

  Ive had this car 2.5 years and it has been as reliable as my Miata. Warranty work has included a new battery, drivers side visor clip, and mirror covers on visors (I live in the desert and the car sits outside in very hot weather, so the interior plastics are very challenged on this car.) Replaced original tires around 20,000 miles. Gas mileage averages 22-23, and has topped-out at 33mpg (at a constant 75- 85 mph). I am convinced this car will last forever. The build quality, fit and finish is excellent (the "trunk" area could use a bit more attention however).

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  Best SUV Ive owned - 2008 Hyundai TUCSON
  By coyote prosapio - January 10 - 5:10 pm

  We live in the "outback" of New Mexico, a mix of bad paved roads and dirt. Ive owned a 4-Runner, a Tundra, a Subaru and a mix of Detroit bummers, this small SUV is at the top of the list. We got about 27mpg in the Subaru along with a tough ride. We get a great ride in the Tundra, but truck mileage. In the Hyundai we get 30 on the highway and a Tundra ride. (and a Tundra sound system, AM/FM/CD/Cassette.) I hope this one is as long lasting as a Toyota cause we intend to keep it as our main ride. Ive read the comments about "ungainly ride" but that isnt my experience at all. In fact this one rides as well as the Tundra which is like a limo.

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  Tuscon: Overpriced Disappointment - 2012 Hyundai TUCSON
  By mybestequinox - January 10 - 3:12 pm

  I purchased a Tuscon because I wanted the style and improved gas mileage over my heavy Chevy. I had owned a number of Hyundai vehicles and had largely been pleased with them. Two Sante Fes and the Luxury Hyundai. This vehicle did not match up. My son said, "You dont drive this car. It drives you." Constantly have to correct steering. Cant control acceleration. Wont accerate, then takes off whining. I was happy the day I bought it and the day you sell (albeit at a loss). Miserable in between. Dealer unable to remedy any of the complaints. Sold at 12,000 miles. Whew. Will never buy another Hyundai. Got my Equinox back and love it as well at the real 32 mpg.

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  So far, So Good! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By vincee - January 10 - 10:23 am

  Just picked up my 07 SF Limited 5/31. Just about 600 miles. The interior design is what won me over and rave reviews from all that has seen it. At 59 the headroom is fine for me. Alot of vehicle for the money compared to Ford Edge, Mazada CX7, and Murano and way better style size and interior standard features than RAV4 (which my wife drives a 07 bought in Feb. 07) and CRV. SF has a firm positive ride feel to it. Seems like a much larger and heavier vehicle when driving but being very responsive and sure footed. The power isnt the best in class, but it will get out of its way very easily and smoothly. Unbelievable quiet ride. To sum up, so far very pleased and happy.

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  New Navigation System - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob - January 9 - 6:26 pm

  Although the newly released 2009 Sonata offers a new navigational system with nice features, it may have been released prematurely. Typically I drive approximately 42,000 miles annually along the east coast. I rely heavily on construction and accident location information. The navigation system offers a detour selection allowing you to plan a detour at various distances. After several days with no answers from the dealership or Hyundai Corporation, and many hours on the phone doing refreshes to the XM NAVTraffic downloads, the answer that finally arrived was that Hyundai did not release the NAVTraffic capability in the 2009 model. Release is expected sometime next year. What a bummer!

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  Hyundai Sonata - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ferguson - January 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a great care for the money. Good features and one of the best warranties. Made an outstanding second car.

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  Good, until crash - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Em - January 9 - 1:28 am

  The car was given to me by my father. The car drove exceptionally well. The only complaint he and I had was the lowness of the drivers seat which getting out of every day led to bad backs. Unfortunately, I had an accident, in a frontal crash, where the Elantra ended in disaster and was totalled. I hope the 2005/2006 models are improved in safety.