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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  Dont buy it, its not worth it!! - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Stupid Car - September 21 - 11:03 am

  This being my first car was nice when I got it. There were a couple things wrong but nothing big. After I had it for 3 months it needed new tires, new headlights and new taillights. It had about 40,000 miles on it when I got it and it now has 90,000 in the time that I have had it I put around $3,000 into it. Now it needs new belts, a new transmission, a new motor for the window because it never goes up once you get it down all the way. Once you start the car it doesnt stop squeaking. I have kept up with all of the usual maintenance and gotten tune ups when needed but it still runs like crap. The tilt steering wheel takes a lot of pressure to get it to move.

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  Great Car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By jlmb - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine 2 years ago, and i been driving the wheels off the car, I have put about 70 000 miles on it making it 97000 total. I have to be honest, iam impressed on how well the car still runs. I bought mine used, so i dont have the benefit of the warranty but so far I had no problems with it. Ofcourse I have done all the regular maintenance myself oil change, brake change, etc., and its so easy to maintain, I can now change its brakes in 15 minutes. The only drawback was that mine didnt have a CD player, so I had one installed one 100 dollards, and its poor mpg, but i do have a heavy foot.

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  Love My Elantra. - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By MKGeorge - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the best value for my money. I bought this car on impulse and am so glad I did. I got a fully loaded, well designed, comfortable, great looking car. I have never had any problems. I put several miles on my car over and 8 month period and it never let me down. The brakes had a few problems but I did so much driving it was bound to happen. It handles so well even in the snow. For a 4 cylinder engine its quite peppy. Best of all I got everything I wanted for a very reasonable price. If your looking for a well desinged car with a ton of features for a great price, then buy the Elantra.

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  bought santa fe lx and sonata lx - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By ronzx - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 03 santa fe lx, which turned into my wifes car.A year later I bought a sonata lx.They both have the same engine,I thought I would get a lot better gas milege with the sonata ,but its only like 19 city to 25 highway,average I get about 21.Santa fe is 18-22 average about 19.Thats the only thing I dislike.My friend bought an impala ,which is bigger,heavier more horsepower and gets a lot better milege.What I paid for both makes up for gas milege.

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  THE BIG DOG - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By AAL3 - September 20 - 1:06 pm

  Just bought mine 5/13/09 Cabernet Red with Black Leather with the Tech Pkg. Soon as I left the dealer I went and got the windows tinted, BEAUTIFUL Car. I get compliments on it everywhere I go, just took my brother back to the Honda Dealership where he bought his Civic and when he went into the dealership there was no one in there, They all had run outside to look at MY car and they told me that it was a beautiful car and that for the money it was the best car on the market. (that has to say something coming from a honda dealership) People tell me all the time that it looks like a Mercedes or a Lexus in the front. As far as the interior of the car it is top notch quality with great features

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  love it - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By Robtg - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I owned Mercedez benz`s for 20 years. Best decision I made was to purchase it. It rides great, has wonderful features, and has a great warrenty. I hope to do it again.

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  I Love This S.U.V.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tim & Debbie - September 20 - 10:00 am

  This suv is unbelievable! The moment you sit in it you become part of the truck! Was an avid Jeep fan untill I drove this!

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  Hyundai SUV worthwhile - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By zion - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV not knowing what to expect. It handles excellently, makes me feel safe in all types of weather and driving conditons, and is very comfortable for myself and passengers. This SUV seems to be very well built and though I have had it only a little over a year, I am very glad I purchased it, and if it continues to hold up the way it has, I am sure to trade it in for another one when the time comes, though taht will probably not be for a long while. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice sized SUV that does not make you feel like you are driving a tank.

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  Driving Fun - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By WindSock - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a GLS FWD 2.7L on 9/13/04 and have nothing but praise for the vehicles looks, ride, interior and exterior finish, and quality. All interior controls (bottons,knobs, and switches) are within easy reach, oversized, and positioned so after a short period of time you dont have to take your eyes off the road to adjust the A/C, radio, outside mirrors, etc. The drivers seat position and ample glass area make the view of the road fantastic. After just the first fill- up, its getting 22MPG. Most of the mileage, about 95%, was city driving. I cant wait to see what it gets after the engine is broken in.

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  I Love My Sante Fe!!!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ldysantefe - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I use this vehicle for work and it has to go everyday. It has been a real fun vehicle to drive. The reconfiguring of the cargo space is ample for carrying lots of cargo. I haul 250 Sunday newapapers easily. Steering is a little squirrely, my daughter says. It just responds to the slightest of turns.