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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  Review of our Hyundia Elantra Wagon. - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ralph Jones - December 22 - 5:32 pm

  Has been an excellent vehicle for us. We spent two summers traveling, 8500 and 11500 miles respectively. Very, very comfortable for its size. Gas mileage is generally in the 28-33 mpg range. As a spunky engine which if pushed on starts will drop mpg to 25. Have run Mobil 1 which has kept wear to a minimum apparently, since doesnt require addl. oil between 3500-4000 changes. No maintence beyond standard belts, transmission oil changes every 30,000, tires and battery change.

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  Nice car for the money - 2010 Hyundai Sonata
  By paul - December 22 - 12:13 pm

  So far no problems with the car. Drove it for 3 months and 3200 mi. It looks to me that ac should blow colder air but its not summer yet so we will see later. Getting only 25 mpg driving mostly on highway. The best I got was 28 mpg but I had to drive slow not exceeding 70 mph

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  Great Car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Cindy - December 21 - 8:08 pm

  Purchased as Program Car with 25000 miles. Has been run both in city and hwy regularly. No problems with it at all. Just normal maintenance of oil changes, tires etc. Has over 100000 miles now and no sign of any problems. Gets good gas milage and great commuter car. Handles well in traffic. Highly pleased with price vs value.

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  Not recommended - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JMJ - December 21 - 6:06 pm

  Very disappointed in this car. I loved driving it in the beginning, but Ive had to bring it in for service at least 5+ times since buying it for "check engine" light coming on. Car has also died on me twice. These issues should not be happening when a car is brand new. Dealership always tells me they cant find anything wrong with it. Even told them that I dont feel safe driving the car, and all they could respond with was "Well, you have roadside assistance available." (Not exactly the most comforting thing to hear). The dealership is now wanting to buy the car back due to their shortage of 2008 pre-owned Santa Fe vehicles. I am MORE than willing to sell it back to them!!

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  Drove it home today - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By soyeah - December 21 - 6:10 am

  I bought a black base with manual adding both the style and tech packages. I purposely drove it over bumpy roads to see how rough the ride really is. It really isnt. I traded in a 2012 Focus with only 12K miles, a tiny Sync screen with very complicated controls, the sh*ttiest plastic hubcaps on 16" tires, and an automatic transmission that made the Ford feel practically epileptic at times. Very happy with this Hyundai. Back up camera rocks, Bluelink is nice, Sirius is great, PLENTY of pep in the manual, and overall just a solid, roadworthy feel. Still getting used to the front end styling, but because of how nice and quiet the interior is, Im almost oblivious to the eclectic exterior

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  2003 Hyundai Tiburon V6 GT 5speed - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By ardee - December 21 - 6:06 am

  The clutch on this car went bad after 12000 miles. The dealership gave me a hard time at first when it came to the warranty but they ended up replacing it with no cost to me. The paint on the gas cap peeled and they replaced that too. Now after 40000 miles the paint on the side view mirrors and the coating on my headlights peeled off. Other than that everything is good. I luv the car and I never modified anything so far. I already got 4 speeding tickets since I bought it. I recommend this car to anyone. Buy a brand new Tib!

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  The ugly ducklings now a beautiful swan - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By DavidBG - December 20 - 7:06 pm

  Terrific car. How do they do it at these prices? Are they actually making any money?

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  350 great - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By trrs - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is great. Other than a little rattle in the sun roof that was quicky adjusted by the dealer no problems at all. A dream to take a trip in.

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  My Second Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By timtriolo - December 20 - 2:00 am

  After owning a Tiburon and having no mechanical problems with it, I purchased my Elantra GT. I knew it to be a steal with all of its standard features and great styling. So far, Ive been just as happy with this Hyundai as I have been with my first. The structural integrity is incredible. I was hit three times by a drunk driver in a hit and run accident, and my car didnt budge from its lane. The leather interior is as beautiful as it is utilitarian. People tell me it looks like a SAAB. I got the look without paying the high premium I would have for the SAAB. My neighbor teased me about purchasing the Elantra; his SAAB has been in the shop twice this year.

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  Transmission fails after one month - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By NO GO - December 19 - 9:10 pm

  I purchased a new 2011 Sonata for a cash price. One month, 2,500 miles later, the transmission failed -- DOWNSHIFTED at highway speed during rush hour -- very dangerous! Sounds like the opposite problem of a Toyota! Dealership very unfriendly, will replace transmission, but tried to talk me into buying a higher priced car! Nonsense. Corporate office nice, and is looking at buying vehicle back, no promises. Dealership not useful at all.