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:

• 

  Cant Beat It! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steve - July 15 - 11:54 pm

  I originally leased my 2001 Elantra when new and bought it out. Still love the interior/exterior styling. Fuel economy is good for a car with a 2 litre engine but not great. Good handling for a car at this price point, but slightly ponderous at low speeds. Brakes could be better. Body hardware has held up very well. Resale value could be a little better, too. Havent needed any major repairs - just new brakes and tires 36 months in. Overall, reliability has been excellent, flawless winter starts. Time will tell whether the car holds up as a used vehicle. The Elantra is a worthy car and almost fully competitive with Honda, Toyota, et al. Buy one, youll be happy.

• 

  Love the car - but now its a beater... - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By leftoverchef - July 15 - 10:47 pm

  Well, Ive had the car since brand new and have loved it. I havent been too punctual with the routine maintenance (oil changes, etc.) and the car still has performed well (until recently, but more on that later). I made it to 100k miles on the original clutch - which is a record for me. I didnt even replace the timing belt until 110k miles! The only problem I really have had with it has been a faulty clutch pedal sensor when we bought it - and a crank-shaft position sensor that died just before i replaced the timing belt. That said - recently the Catalytic converter broke and the Exhaust manifold cracked - a $2600 repair - but my son will pay that to buy it from me instead!

• 

  Best value for the money on a small SUV - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By kako2 - July 15 - 7:20 pm

  In looks alone is the best of all small SUVs not counting SUVs that cost more than twice as much. For the price of a loaded Tucson, you can only get an entry level Tiguan or any other model. The only comparable SUV for quality and value is the KIA but t does not even come close to the good looks of the Tucson. Got my Limited, with navigation and sky roof for 26k(MSRP was 28.9k), not sure if it was the best deal but I am satisfied with the price.

• 

  Suspension system - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By bill b - July 15 - 9:10 am

  Driving my new at low speed Tucson is like driving on a railroad track. The suspension system is terrible. There is a terrigle clunking which the company rep says is there because the "magazine buffs" want it that way." According to the rep enough people complained so that they went back to Korea which said thats the way we want it even though the buyers disagreed. In addition it is poorly sound insulated so the spare tire chamber acts as a sound amplifyer. The dealer has tried to fix it to no avail. The company rep on the east coast is only willing to sing the company song! By the way my mileage is not what they advertised!

• 

  Not Bad - 1997 Hyundai Accent
  By pjktj5 - July 15 - 1:58 am

  This is my first Hyundai, I bought it for me because I gave my wife my honda for the trade in value on it to use for a minivan since we are expecting our 3rd child in 11/05. The car runs great no major problems. Engine light comes on occasionaly, there is nothing wrong with the car it was a bad sensor an easy fix. It has 126k on it, with gas now over 2.30 a gallon this is a perfect car. NOT a speedy thing by any means but it does ride nice and smooth.

• 

  LIFE SAVER! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By ringman - July 14 - 10:41 pm

  I bought this car in May, 2005 for my daughter (it only had 28000 miles). I own 2 mercedes and a vette, but this car was quite comfortable and well built for the price --- definitely a great value. On July 4, a drunk driver collided with my daughter head-on on the freeway (est. closing speed of 140 mph!). My daughter survived with bruises and a back injury which she will recover from --- but, she may have been killed or paralyzed in another car (as was the passenger of the other car). As I see it, this car saved her life!!!

• 

  questionable interior - 2011 Hyundai Veracruz
  By schaef1 - July 14 - 4:51 pm

  I have loved the excellent layout of the Vera Cruz. However, the car is only 7 months old and the sterring wheel started peeling. It was replaced at no charge. Now both of the front leather seats are showing wear and once again, it is supposed to be replaced at no cost, however, whats to stop this from happening again. The mileage is fair and the ride is a little choppy at 30-35 miles. Otherwise, its a great car but I am concerned about the quality of the interior. The dealer finally admitted that he has seen the seats in other Vera Cruzs do this in the past. Why hasnt Hyundai fixed this? Would I recomend this car, the jury is still out?

• 

  I wouldnt buy another one - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Rae - July 14 - 2:03 pm

  I am just so used to my Toyotas that the quality of this car just stinks in comparison. The consul is already scratched up, it rides really rough. It jerks and feels like it is out of balance but the dealer says it is not. It looks like it has some power but it doesnt at all. I will never buy another Hyunai car again.

• 

  Excllent Second Car - 1999 Hyundai Accent
  By SAM - July 14 - 12:49 pm

  Bought the car new in 99 as a commuter for wifes school and cant seem to let it go. Paid for all recommended service at Hyundai dealer and never had a single problem that wasnt covered buy warranty and repaired quickly. Better dealer service than my $35,000 dollar 4Runner gets!!! I have convinced 5 other people (including my Mom)to buy new Hyundais and they all still like me!!! Simply one of the most reliable and affordable cars on the road. The warranty speaks for itself. If it wasnt a decent car why would Hyundai tell you they will fix it for free for 10 years!!! If Hyundai made a minivan I would buy one tomorrow without any hesitation whatsoever. Simply an awsome car and car company!!

• 

  I love this CAR! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By nextzinn - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Owned a 2002 GLS V6, switched to the 2003 Sonata Sedan 4-cyl. I have owned a Sonata for 16 months now and I will buy another one. The features for the price are outstanding. My friends are busy buying a stripped down Passats and Jettas, they are jealous of the standard features and the price!