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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  All that and a bag of chips! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By hard worker - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Handles turns very, very well, and is great on gas. I work hard for my money and all I wanted was an affordable car. Well, I got that and everything else...sunroof,leather,fog lights, peppy 130hp engine with more than enough torque, & a great sound system. I have never been able to afford all that. I thought it was only for the rich to enjoy. Test drive this car, you will not be unimpressed.

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  Beware of 2000 Hyundai Sonata - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By rpchuang - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I had transmission replaced the first year I purchased the car when it would skip by the second gear. The transmission again was replaced in year 3 and again in year 4. The 10 year warranty was the main selling point when I purchased the Sonata, but I dont think it wouldve lasted that long. Thank God I got rid of it before the five year comprehensive expired.

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  My Hyundai Rocks! - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By CathyMM - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car - reliable and fun.

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  BEST SUVS I HAVE EVER OWNED - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By RJEFFERSON - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I OWN TWO 2001 SANTA FES THEY ARE THE BEST SUVS THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED HYUNDAI HAS IT MASTERED. I HAVE OWNED OVER 15 DIFFERENT SUVS THE SANTA FES ARE THE BEST

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  Hyundai Elantra - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dyonda Williams - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had to have my vehicle serviced 9 times in a 16 month period. The transmission went out at 1500 miles. The sunvisor on the drivers side constantly has to be replaced. I have had to have 2 control arms.

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  My new TIBBY! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By SilverSharkGT - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Lots of great comments from other people telling me how much they love my car! Real attention getter, and great performance for the money!

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  My Elatra GT: No regrets. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By happywithmyelantra - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Through both parents, I get a substantial discount on 3 major brands of cars that offer similar vehicles to the Elantra. Lots of research later, IN SPITE OF the discounts for other brands, I still got the Elantra. Everyone, including myself, is amazed at what you get for the price in the GT. Great car.

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  1 drive & 1 look & got hooked :) - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By laputa - May 24 - 10:00 am

  simply the best car ive purchsed, actually 2nd best; my best & my favorite was the hyundai xg300 without regards to price. looks & feels very expensive but on the contrary its a hyundai. i paid just over 12k & still cant belive the car & the warrenty pkg i got for the price. i am a loyal hyundai customer for life. so far no problems or rattles its been very reliable. it feels solid and well assembled. car turns heads where ever i go, ppl thinks its a cross b/w a saab & a bmw. full of amenities at a rockbottom price. my friend regrets his recent purchase of toyota corolla for 17k, but i wouldnt think of trading.

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  I cant believe I got all this... - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By dadscar - May 24 - 10:00 am

  1100 miles. Ive got the "I cant believe I got all this for such a small price" feeling. GLS is sporty. V6 has plenty of power, makes a beautiful sporty sound when it revs a little higher. 16-inch wheels and Michelins give control and confidence, even in rain. Shiftronic is great fun. 4 wheel disc brakes. CD/tape/AM/FM has great controls, big buttons, and nice sound. Power antenna, heated mirrors, keyless entry, leather wrapped steering wheeel, theater lighting, fog lights. Firm comfortable seats, nice fabric. Powerful A/C. Faux wood is well done. Front doors close with nice thunk.

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  Great value for the money! - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dinerokid - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car since September and there are just a couple things that I am not happy with: Miles per gallon- The sticker idicated 19 City/27 Hwy and I have barely averaged 20 MPG on mostly highway trips the car now has 7,500 miles I took it to the dealer after 1,000 miles was averaging 12.8 MPG. The automatic transmission lags on emergency acceleration - I will have the dealer check it at the next service. The 4 speed transmission is adequate in city traffic, but should have overdrive for higher speeds.