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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  Great Package of Value - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Dave V - January 26 - 7:03 pm

  This car can compare to vehicles costing twice as much. There are a very few minor quirks that will likely be worked out in future revisions, but overall this car is a top value for a discriminating car owner. Hyundai is going through the same evolution Honda & Toyota went through in their quest of the USA market share.

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  Very good for the money - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By darandell - January 26 - 12:16 pm

  Everyone who has had a complaint seems to have the manual tranny. While admittedly the automatic is not super powerful, it is a 2.0L 4cyl so what did you expect...? Brake pads changed at 125,000km and 200,000. Rortors replaced at 200,000 (could have machined, but chose to replace. Small things like wiper motor and washer fluid pump went, but $30 on eBay and some elbow grease fixed it up well. At 220,000kms now and I need some suspension work, but even with not so frequent oil changes (every 9,000 or so kms) the thing is a beauty. Original battery just went at 220,000. Fantastic vehicle for the money I paid for it. Way hotter than the Genesis.

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  Beware the clutch - 2008 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Bill - January 26 - 10:00 am

  SERIOUS CLUTCH ISSUES-clutch covered for 12k miles-every vehicle Ive owned was a standard, Tiburon clutch is junk, lasted 25k and died. Dealership blames "driving operation"-bunk!-owned all standards for 20+ years and never replaced a clutch in less than 90k- this lasted 25k-search "Tiburon Transmission" on Yahoo and youll see there is a problem with the design of the clutch-it simply doesnt last- mostly highway, experienced standard driver I would expect more than 25k- good chance you wont get it-BEWARE- Ill never buy a Hyundai again- powertrain warranty isnt worth the paper it is written on

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  Very, very fun - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Nick - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I waited a while to review and after almost a year the car is wonderful. Chopped off the resonator for a bit more power and changed to a k&n intake, but other than that stock. Car is quick, not fast. Handling is superb. Very reliable, no issues. Cant wait to take it to a track day and see what it can do in a safe environment. Great for 2 people but back seat is only for storage. Paddle shifters are in the wrong place though, should be mounted on to the column instead of the steering wheel making it clumsy. Use the sequential gearbox instead. This is a great car until I go get a vette or a jag s-type. You wont think it is a Hyundai.

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  My Tibby & Me - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tibby Owner - January 26 - 8:43 am

  I bought my Hyundai off the show room floor. She had 4 miles on her. Now, 101,000 miles later weve come quite a ways together. Many memories in what Id consider to be a very reliable car. While "Tibby" seems to be beginning to slowly break down...She has been very fun and reliable over the past 7 years. Id love to trade her in for a new one but sadly they are no more. If youre looking for a comfortable seat, exciting ride, sleek design, and speed this is your vehicle.

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  Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By garbear - January 26 - 3:53 am

  I was disapointed by the power of the vehicle but overall its been a good suv 1st time owner of a Suv. Company has burned me as far as settlement for wrong sticker information left a sour taste in my mouth not happy.

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  Great car... with bad surprises - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jeffbiss007 - January 22 - 10:24 pm

  I bought my Hyundai Elantra in march 2005 and I was totally satisfied with it! This car has a great look, does not consume a lot of gas and has enough power to shift any slow vehicle on any road. Also, this car really has a lot of space (can make 5 persons very comfortable, including 4 men over 60). But... Bad surprises appeared during the winter 2008/2009: My clutch began to slip more and more. I drive a manual car since I am 16 (12 years from now) and I never had troubles with clutches. And have always been gentle with my Elantra. Now, after 80000 km (50000 miles), my clutch is done, and I have to prove my dealership I did not beat my car:

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  tracking - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By JaimeX - January 22 - 8:00 am

  I like the car overall well enough. Quality is good. The only problem I have noticed so far is the tracking at highway speeds is a bit loose - that is, it wanders off desired track easily and steering is a little twitchy, especially in even a slight cross wind. I havent driven it enough to develop an opinion about the gas mileage, reliability or other operation aspects.

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  Love It - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Susans - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Love everything about the car except lack of power and that is still okay

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  Great Car - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Anonymous - January 20 - 6:23 pm

  This is my first time to own a Hyundai. I was enticed by the hefty rebate Hyundai was offering until June 2 (3K off). I have always been a Honda owner, except for the one impulse buy of a Jeep Grand Cherokee- which was a bad mistake. I have been very happy with my Sonata thus far. I often get it confused with the Accord if they are parked closely. I have a very basic model and am loving it. I like to take corners fast and it is possible in this car! I would like to have more features, but after owning a totally "loaded" car and everything being controlled by a computer chip that went bad, have a simple, no frills car is just enough for me. And, who can turn down the incredible warranty?