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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  tiburons - 2000 Hyundai Tiburon
  By caleb m - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Overall i like the car. I like the bubble look on the outside. The headlights need replaced all the time, the battery had to be replaced at 30k, and the transmission had to be replaced at 55k.

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  2004 Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tomasi - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Drives well, has sufficient power for moderate hills (2.7 ltr). OK fuel economy (23.5 mpg at 75 mph on 8 hr trip), but expected somewhat better. Plently of cargo space for two, but would be pressed for bagage space for 2 adults and 2 kids. Excellent front windshield view. Seams to be well built and solid.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Deedeepgh - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Nice car with excellent value for the dollar. It is plenty powerful with the big 6 cylinder and has loads of thoughtful touchs to the interior.

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  The Best Car Ever - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Valerie - December 2 - 10:20 am

  I came from a Mercedes to a Hyundai. My car had 6 miles when I purchased it. It now has 228,000+ and I have EVERY original engine part. Only changed the timing belt and brakes and did my oil change every 3000 miles. My car has NEVER broken down on me or ran out of gas. She has been 100% reliable to me! My tranny just went and YES....I am putting a new one in. I know the car and trust it. Its worth it to me. So if anyone is thinking about getting one....just make sure you change your oil ON time EVERY time its suppose to get changed. I love my Hyundai Accent and when I decide to get another it will be the Hyundai Azera.

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  Great little car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Glenn Goforth - December 2 - 8:06 am

  Love it. handles like a race car. and looks very sporty

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  Hyundai Elantra a bargain. - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Herb Trisler - December 1 - 8:34 pm

  This car has been full of surprises. 33mpg hwy, 26-27mpg town. Cruises at 100mph easily on the highway. (Yes, 100mph. Easily.) The ride on the highway is much smoother than one would expect, but when pushed at a brisk rate the car still handles very well, never leaving you feeling out of control. Good brakes. Also, no rattles. No squeaks. Very good quality of build.

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  Funnest car to drive - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By aashimphead - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I was looking at the 2001 Tiburons then my fiance found the 2003 and I had to have it. Test drove the 6 speed and fell in love.... my other car is a 99 solara and this beats it hands down for fun driving. I think I have the only one in my area right now.

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  Fun at first. - 2007 Hyundai Accent
  By Rob - December 1 - 12:01 am

  I love my accent! Although, at 50,000 my water pump went thus causing the engine to overheat which in turn had to be completely replaced. Thank god for the warranty! Impeccable service! The pick up could be a little better when switching lanes. Interior door panels scratch real easily. Center console would be Nice. In all I love it, trading soon for something a bit bigger.

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  Not Impressed so far - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JR_Colorado - November 29 - 9:26 pm

  With only 600 miles I am starting to feel like this was a bad decision. Transmission is already acting strange. It cant seem to find the right gear going up a hill. Very frustrating. Dealer says this may be a "break in" issue, but I have never had a transmission have a "break in" period, so I am skeptical. installing the roof rack rails was VERY frustrating. Broke one of the rail covers putting the rails on. Poorly designed rail system. Whats up with the rear blinkers. I do not feel safe with blinkers mostly on the side and not in the rear!!!!! What were their engineers thinking. I fell for the $3000 REBATE. I just hope I am wrong about this vehicle.

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  The 4 Cyl. needed smoother shifting. - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bruce Berwick - November 29 - 9:00 pm

  I find that my Sonata doesnt shift smoothly between gears. The car is a great value in general. I have 58000 mi. on mine and its still going strong. The Silver color paint is peeling, which isnt too great, and I garage it every night and use it just for pleasure.