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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  Hyundai after a year and 48K - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By scott7758 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car out the door for under 18K. That was primary reason for buying it. It has proven to be very reliable outside of a couple minor gliches. The V-6 got much peppier after about 5 thousand miles and drives very nice. I prefer a bigger car but for the size you can beat it for the price.

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  Nice Automobile - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By steveg46 - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car in September of 2003, got a really great deal. Had one minor problem with the car, the right rear brake had a click in it, and it was fixed right the first time. If you really want more power out of the engine put in a K & N air filter, it makes a big difference in the performance.

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  Great Leap of Faith so far - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Optimistic - May 4 - 9:36 am

  So far I absolutely love my Veracruz!I took a leap of faith on this purchase. I was always biased against Hyundai until they came with the Genesis sedan. My last 3 vehicles have been Merc. M Class, VW Passat, and Infiniti G35. I was tired of premium fuel, quirky problems, and high repair costs. I knew I wanted crossover with power, bang for buck, and reliability. Co-worker of mine has a Veracruz and once I saw the interior I went to test drive vs. Pilot, Highlander LTD, and Traverse. Once i test drove i loved it above all. The ride is smooth as silk, the interior is class leading for the price, it is very, very quiet, and i like it much better than my previous vehicles in regard to comfort.

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  A fun car - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By RAM from NH - May 4 - 7:40 am

  Love this car, and did a lot of research prior. A Lot of bang for the buck with this car, and everything standard, Great visibility, have only had it 2 weeks, and 3 show storms, handles great! MPG are 22 hwy, not bad for new caar and winter! Love the passenger room and that the seats go flat including front passenger, cant say enough good things about it. After 2 american cars, I can finally say again, I love my car!

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  Reliable car at a low price - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By velantra - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very reliable. I love the style and the engine pulls well. It cost me thousands less than the competitors and recently place 2nd for Corporate nameplate in J.D. Powers inital quality survey for 2004. Im sure the long term surey will show positive results also.

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  Dont Buy It - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kcsac1 - May 4 - 1:06 am

  Youll be tempted but DONT Buy It. Value is relative and warranty is only as good as the Company. And that isnt so good. Mine has been in the shop hals as long as I ave owned it. Poor residual value and high operation costs significantly reduce perceived value. Sucks gas like a Hummer, poor ride-handling, partly due to junk Bridgestone Dueler tires. Very severe torque steer. The whole car is a set of trade offs. A lot of features, but all very poor quality. I will trade soon and eat the loss but be done with it. Ill stick with Honda or Toyota, or even GM is better.

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  Sonata Lover - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By bigdaddy - May 3 - 4:50 pm

  I fell in love with this car the first time I saw it. As soon as I drove one, I knew that I have to have one. I was even my own salesperson.

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  After sitting in all the cars in this class, I chose the Sonata - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By bobbybear - May 3 - 10:02 am

  This car class cost 20-30 thousand dollars, and paying on a car without a warranty is dumb, so unless youre paying cash, there are only 3 cars left to consider, the Hyundai Sonata, the Kia Optima, and the Suzuki Kazachi. All 3 offer best in class warranties of 10yr./100,000 miles. The Suzukis less gas MPG, with less horsepower, that was a looser. That left the Sonata and Optima to test drive. The Optima has a tighter, sportier feel, while the Sonata was a little more comfortable in ride quality, so at my age, I chose the Sonata, but wouldve been happy with the Optima. Both are exceptional cars! If you dont want to pay on a car without a warranty, then like me, the decisions easy!

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  2nd Santa Fe - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Linenguy - May 3 - 7:50 am

  I just traded a 2003 Santa Fe for a 2007 Limited. This car drives better than my wifes Highlander and friends Lexus RX. The quality and style in one package are the best for the money. I loved my 2003 Santa Fe, but this car is a world of difference in quality and ride. If you are considering a mid- size SUV do yourself a favor and test drive the new Santa Fe.

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  Upside down in value 2 times over! - 2002 Hyundai Accent
  By VIRGINIA BROWN - May 3 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was the biggest mistake ever! Ive had nothing but mechanical problems Im constantly taking it in for warranty work. I paid $12,000 for the car, but its only worth $2,900. The biggest problem is its losing $300 - $500 per month in value. So, I owe $8,000 on a car that is worth $3,000. Im making $400/mo payments on a $200/mo note to pay it off before its value drops to nothing and Id have to PAY someone just take take it off my hands. Im upside down 2 times over in a car thats 2 years old! The Hyundai Accent is the WORST vehicle Ive ever known. DO NOT BUY ONE... THERE IS NOT ONE POSITIVE ASPECT ABOUT OWNING THIS VEHICLE.