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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  Perfect 1st Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Azzuri - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the GT. My first new car purchase! I have put my first 500 miles on and look forward to many more! There is not a better car out there for the money! Trust me I looked!

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  Very Happy- but room for Improvements - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By CCM - November 15 - 10:13 pm

  My wife and I chose the Santa Fe for many reasons vs. the competition. The over-all value we felt we received with this vehicle meets our expectations. The 3rd row seating with the DVD player entertainment system is a BIG plus! The vehicle handles well, and has decent pick-up. I am slightly disappointed with the 1st of 5 gears; It feels like it hesitates a little from a stand-still. The "Range" feature of the trip computer is misleading- When I think I am about to run out of gas, and when I fill-up, I only put in 16.8 gal, not the 19.8 it holds! Overall, the vehicle is very quiet, has a great Infinity sound system, fun blue dash lighting (and cup holder), and user-friendly controls.

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  Less Money More Features - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Joyce Baby Rey - November 14 - 7:43 pm

  I have Ford Explorer XLT and discovered that Santa is more comfy, lot of features, less fuel consumption and affordable. Its truly a "peoples chute" because of its competitive price. No one could beat 100,000 miles or 10-years warranty...cmon....I Love my Santa Fe.

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  very pleased - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Marsha - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the best Ive owned in years, next to my 1972 Monte Carlo. Roomy and user friendly, Id buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  08 Silver SE - Great Car for the Money - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ralph T. - November 13 - 11:40 am

  I first posted a review, in April. I had the car for one month and liked it. Now after taking three trips and putting on 5100 miles in three months, I can not describe how awesome this car is. On the trips I avg 35 mpg (mostly hwy). Normal everyday mixed driving avg has been 30 mpgs. Driving for long periods have been comfortable and enjoyable. During heavy rain, the stability control worked well. The heated seats warmed up quick, the stereo & XM have great a sound. The Electric Steering make parallel parking easy. One slight thing I noticed is the air conditioning seems a bit weak compared to my previous Elantras (not bad, but did notice a change - may be due to the cabin being larger).

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  Great value and quality - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By somaflo - November 13 - 10:00 am

  We bought this 2002 GLS AWD last month with 53,000 miles on it. We had a Honda CRV before this. We like the power and comfort. Hyundai makes a great car for the money. Our other car is a 2001 Hyundai xg300, we have had very good luck with it. The dealers dont always want to honor the warranty but a call to Hyundai usually soles any problem. Would reccomend this vehicle over a Toyota or Honda they are overrated and overpriced!

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  Wonderous Car Blows away Japanese Co. - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bjord - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Elantra GT for 2 years now. Not once have I had a problem with it. Many people Have small issues (My parents own a Turbo New Beetle, its been in the shop more times than I can count for annoying problems, but not major ones) The Elantra is a modern marvel to the car industry. You get excellent standard options, good quality interior thats sporty and very functional (user friendly), an exterior design that has a nice design, with a slight agressive edge. The only issue with the car, which i have to complain about is the paintjob was ok. Other companies do better paintjobs, i think Hyundai goes too thin with their color, and the clear coat.

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  02 sONATA - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By PLEASED - November 13 - 10:00 am

  The four cylinder engine was supriseing at expressway speeds. fully loaded, Myself, 210lbs, son, 285lbs, wife 200 lbs. plus luggage Through the hills of Kentucky and Tenn. The car never bogged down from 80-85mph. very supriseing. The car was reasonably confortable, and handeled well at all speeds. It also looks good. I had thought about buying a 6 cyl, but can see no reason to do so. I averaged 30 mpg. from Ohio to the gulf coast. Its well worth the money. The warrenty is a giant bonus.

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  Better than most - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By J. Carson - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I shopped for other similiar vehicals and couldnt get the extras that I wanted at the price I wanted until I found the Hyundai. You get a lot more car for your money with this car.

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  WE LOVE OUR SONATA!!! - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By COPSWIFE1950 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  WE SAW THIS SILVER SONATA & KNEW IT WAS WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR!!!