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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  Nice entry-level car - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Koni - November 16 - 6:01 pm

  I bought this car used in 2005. Ive had it for about six weeks, and so far Im very impressed. Its not impressive, gorgeous, or fast, but it is solidly constructed. If youre looking for an affordable car that gets great gas mileage (Im getting 30MPG in the city), go with the Accent. It has a couple of design flaws (cup-holder placement and size, for example), but dealing with a little thing like that is no problem.

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  Never ending problem car - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By David Blain - November 16 - 2:43 pm

  Unfortunately, I bought the cae used, so I didnt get the 100,000 mile warranty. At 50,000 miles drivers window mechanism went. I have since replaced all wheel bearings once and now a second on the rear, after only 25000 miles. There were no lugnuts for the spare donut tire. The capped lugnuts wont work. now at 100,000+ miles the car is always in the shop for various transmission and engine sensors. I have driven cars almost 200000 miles and never have replaced wheel bearings. This model should have been on a recall list. While the car drives and handles well, mechanically it is a piece of junk. The government should not allow vehicles like this into the country.

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  makes you feel special - 2006 Hyundai Tiburon
  By weav8060 - November 15 - 6:16 am

  I have an orange crush tibby that turns heads and really glows. Never mind the nominal hp -- this car is fast and you can navigate traffic like a star. BMWs have a hard time keeping up. It purs beautifully. Get the sunroof -- its the first time Ive had one and its important for the overall feel and comfort. Also, mine doesnt have rear windshield wipers and that needs to be remedied. The seats are very comfortable, but part of a cockpit feel that you have to slip into -- always pull the manually operated seats back as you get in and out (thats a fun factor too). This cars not for your if youre taller than 6 or overweight. The is a high revr and mileage is mediocre.

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  Silky Smooth Santa Fe! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jack - November 14 - 3:46 pm

  We recently purchased a 2007 Santa Fe Limited to replace our Toyota Camry and my wife absolutely love it. We had spent almost ten months of research test driving almost everything from Accord, Camry, Sonata, Highlander, Rav4, CR- V, Explorer, Escape, etc. The ride is silky smooth and is very quiet. Quality touches abound throughout and we are also impressed by how well it absorbs road imperfections and the comfortable leather seats. My wife really enjoys all the saftey features that come standard and the oodles of storage space that this SUV has. So far average fuel economy is 22 mpg. This vehicle is miles ahead of the Rav4. Well done Hyundai.

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  Great Bargain - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Wilson - November 14 - 10:00 am

  After shopping around I decided that the V6 Sonata was by far the best buy for the money. Yes, in terms of reliability, this purchase might be a roll the dice. Im hoping the Hyundai of today is like the Toyota of the late 60s - up and coming. This auto was purchase as a commuter car, however it rides well on the highway with a surprisingly quiet ride.

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  Air bags dont work - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By JDP - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Checked NHTSA web site for similar air bag complaints, and found many people complaining about frontal crashes where air bags failed to deploy. Ill never buy a hyundai again! I dont feel safe in it at all!

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  Been a great car - 1998 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bingo - November 14 - 2:40 am

  So pleasantly surprised by this car since we bought it for a runaround localy. Has been just great and has done several 3-5 hour trips one way. Overall, cant beat the value and fun to drive experience of this car. (42mpg on turnpike speeds!!!) Would advise anyone to pick one of these up for everyday transportation.

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  Poor quality, poor service - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Erik - November 13 - 10:06 pm

  Ive owned this vehicle for two years. Ive needed to replace two head gaskets, two oxygen sensors and the exhaust pipe. The engine burns oil, but the dealer says this is normal for a Hyundai, even with less than 40K. The brakes grind and squeal and the clutch is going, but the dealer says that there is no problem. They have also hung up on me when I complained and refused to pay for costs supposedly covered under their warranty.

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  Fun To Drive - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By David Norman - November 13 - 8:56 pm

  Bought the Limited model V6 runs great even though the 4 seemed OK .. moves well in traffic ... compares well with the Eclipse, 350Z and other similar cars...I get lots of looks...many think it is some other kind of car costing 6 to 15,000 dollars more ... LOL ... this car is fun to drive and worth the money.

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  GET THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By Melony - November 13 - 1:10 am

  Bought this car with 12K mi on it, ran great the first year. Then the little check engine lights, about 4 times into the shop for "sensors". Always had the oil changed at 3000k and air filter, but never the "recommended service", i.e. trans flushing at 30K mi. Never had done that with a car before until closer to 100K, and then just precautionary. Well...BUYER BEWARE...Yesterday at 54K miles, the car starting "revving" while changing gears (auto trans). Took to Hyundai dealer who immediately said it was internal transmission, but WOULD NOT be covered by warranty since it hadnt had "recommended service". WHAT TRANS GOES OUT AT 54K MILES? So much for the "best warranty". WHAT A JOKE!!!