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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  Solid, Quality Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By LWade - December 4 - 11:28 am

  I bought the Elantra after my Chrysler Sebring coupe was flooded and died. This is my first new car and I love it. Ive only had one problem involving a slow leak in a tire caused by a nail, which the dealership replaced for free (even though it was not their problem). I drive about 32 miles round-trip for my daily commute in Boston traffic, and my gas mileage still averages 30-34 mpg. It took a while to get used to the V4 engine, but it really moves great once you get up to speed. Unlike my Sebring, I can now have people sit in my backseat of my Elantra. As with any major purchase, research the seller and the product before you buy and there should be no issues.

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  Hyundai Sonata GLS - Awesome - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kim Seth - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Hynundai and I am always glad to tell people about them. I own the 2003 Sonata GLS in slate gray. It is a gorgeous vehicle! I get stares and comments on this car all the time! Everyone wants to know "What kind of car is that?" and "Thats a beautiful car." I also like to tell them that you wont find a comperable American vehicle for less than $5,000 more. Its styling, affordability, and warranty speak for themselves. Go try one out - you wont be disappointed!

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  Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Charbabe86 - December 3 - 11:45 pm

  I have had this care for almost 5 years. I havent had a single problem with it other than minor things like oil changes, tire rotations, things like that. It was cheap and affordable...Hyundais are by far the best car for the money.

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  Better than I thought - 2010 Hyundai Elantra
  By SkipperL - December 3 - 10:38 pm

  Really a nice looking car in and out. Jet black\ gray interior with moon roof with the touches of chrome and pin stripping being a nice addition. The SE rides very well and accelerates better than expected. It has no problem getting into traffic and the cab is very quiet. The upgraded stereo sounds very good. MPG is averaging 30+ so far around town. Lots of room and storage. Very similar to my maxed out 2001 VW Jetta GLX VR6, without the leather and V6 power. Cost, warranty and added MPG make up for both and I get to use reg unleaded gas now. Front\rear seating very roomy and comfortable. Trunk plenty big and fold down rear seats help as well. Very pleased with this purchase.

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  tucson - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Retired - December 3 - 8:46 am

  Style and features are excelent comfort is good but gas milage for the 6 cylinder is about 18 mph

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  C.D. Player does not advance - 2010 Hyundai Genesis
  By fcolby - December 2 - 4:16 pm

  The C.D. Player (six disk) does not advance. Apparently this is an endemic problem and has existed for some time. I have been asked to accept this as "it is built to factory specifications"!! I have also had troubles with the navigational system. Wow! for a43k you would think the C.D. would work.

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  Just got it. - 2010 Hyundai Accent
  By Bill - December 1 - 12:56 pm

  Bought it as a tow vehicle for my RV. First tank of gas got me 38 MPG. Only has AC. Basic Accent Blue. Runs good at 65 mph. Pretty quiet. Tows well.

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  Love this car!! - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Michael B - November 30 - 5:20 pm

  Coming off of a 4-year lease of a Saturn Ion, I was diligent about test driving many different cars (e.g., Maxima, Altima, CC, TSX, etc). For me it came down to the 2010 Acura TSX Tech and the 2011 Sonata Limited (w/ Navigation). For the value I could not beat the Sonata. The look and feel of the two cars were comparable, however I liked the few extra touches on the Sonata (like the push button ignition) and of course the price. Overall, I could not be more pleased with my purchase.

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  Wish I could afford another - 2008 Hyundai Entourage
  By Oilmover - November 30 - 1:52 pm

  After 5 months of exhausting research, shopping and driving them all, I was convinced the Entourage was the best. Now after 8 months of owning the van I wish I could afford a 2nd one. Its very quick, quiet and comfortable. MPG avg 18-19 around town and 22-24 hwy. An all around excellent vehicle that I feel very safe putting my family in. Check out the crash photos on the NHTSA site. Impressive. Even though I chose the Hyundai, Im glad Kia\Hyundai settled on one van. I dont believe re-badging the same vehicle makes sense. My 2nd one will have to be a loaded-up Sedona EX.

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  Elantra Number Two - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By jlflemmons - November 30 - 5:03 am

  This is the second Elantra I have owned. I have had only one very minor warranty repair, a defective wiper blade. With the automatic, the power is only adequate to good with regard to off the line acceleration, but the vehicle can run all day on the interstate without any tiresome engine noise. The previous Elantra (an 02) had a 5spd and was much sportier to drive. Both were tight and squeak and rattle free. The GT definitely has the better suspension for handling with only a slightly firmer ride.