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 Car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Charles G. Davis - April 19 - 6:56 am

  I have only a bit over 2000 miles on the car so far but like it very much.

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  I love my Tiburon - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Kristy H. - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I absolutly love my little shark! Infact it seems like everyone who sees it does. A week after buying mine, a friend of mine bought one in a different colour, and now my best friend is looking to buy one. This car is wonderful. I love it. I would enourage anyone who is looking for a sports coupe to buy a tiburon (just not in mystic teal K? just playing). Mine is teal.

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  Best Kept Secret - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By gene frazier - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best kept secret in autodom. Great fit and finish, adequate performance and in my experience, relibility second to none. I have had one problem in two years and 57,000 miles, warped brake rotors. The dealer replaced all four rotors no questions asked and the problem has not returned.

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  So Far So Good - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By The Hud - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Have only had for two weeks, but so far I love my Santa Fe GLS (V6/4WD). As others reviewers have noted it could use a bit more get up and go, and a bit better gas mileage (Ive filled twice and am in the 20/21 MPG range). Other than that I love this SUV. Mine came with side running boards installed. Kinda sets it apart from others Ive seen. Great sound system - 6 speaker Monsoon Stereo with CD and Cassette. Well thought out interior with loads of pockets and storage bins. Nice touch in cargo area with the storage pockets back there. Have gotten lots of looks and had several "wow, thats nice" comments.

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  Surprised - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By HappyLynn - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Downsized from luxury vehicles (Mercedes, Infinti) due to financial necessity. I never expected to love this car so much! One of the most surprising things to me is the ride -- it feels heavy and solid on the road, surprising for such a small (and inexpensive!) car. It handles well, has good pickup, and doesnt generate a lot of noise on the highway. And its loaded with features which would have cost thousands more in other makes.

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  very satisfied - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By gambler2 - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 2001 GT since mid 2001 and have 23750 miles on it. The only trouble I have had is two light bulbs burned out, the first one was replaced incorrectly by a service writer at the dealer. I replaced the second one.[no problem since] I average 27.4 in the winter and 31+ summers. I would like a softer ride but the car handles excellent, so I guess I cant have everything!

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2005 Hyundai Accent
  By fredtheshrimp - April 18 - 10:55 pm

  I just bought this car last week, 900 miles on it already (I drive about 80 or 90 miles a day). Filled up a couple of times, I got about 34 mpg! Handles great, very comfortable, very fast! Its a lot nicer than I was expecting for the price, it has front and side airbags, lumbar support (nice for long trips), kickin sound system, and so much more, I love this car!!

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By HyundaiOwner - April 18 - 4:00 pm

  Pretty satisfied with the vehicle with the exception of the poor fuel mileage. Combined mileage below 19 most of the time. Barely over 19 on all highway trip.

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  2004 Hyundai Elantra ) - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By drago65 - April 17 - 5:22 pm

  21K in just under a year and she is running great. Running so nicely I just purchased a 2005 GT for my wife. All regular maintenace done and no problems with anything.

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  love my snotata !!!! - 2005 Hyundai Sonata
  By kim - April 16 - 1:46 pm

  love it!! great features for the $$$ if you dont want to spend the $$ for the jag or caddie