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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  Terrific Value and Fun - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Rick - April 16 - 11:46 am

  After a few years of a haitus from SUVs I decided to buy the Tuscon based on very little knowledge other than its good looks and a good test drive. In fact I bought two at the same time for my wife and daughter since the price was right. Im impressed with the fit and finish and sold build quality. No squeaks or rattles so far. One of them did have to have the TPS (Throttle Positioning Sensor replaced) after 2,000 miles. Overall, Im very pleased and would recommend it.

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  When it gets to 100,000.....sell it. - 2000 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sebastian Palacio - April 16 - 2:00 am

  The car runs great..... its very confortable and its worth the money you pay for it. The things that went bad on my GLS V6 were: power window$450, sun roof$500, valve cover gasket$400, wheel bearings$600(both rear wheels). I have spent a lot of money on it....but after 100,000 miles what do you expect.

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  Cheap steering componet/ build quality - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By mookie14 - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I really hate driving this car 1st off the steering its controlled by a electronic steering pump not the traditional pump with fluid and the car just moves all over the road and i do not like it at all.

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  PLEASE MAKE HYUNDAI YOURE NEXT CAR!!!!! - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By mark - April 15 - 11:50 pm

  I have only owned this car for almost two years now and have put 20,000 miles on it and it is ready to turn 200,000 miles and still drives like brand new and is extremely powerful and fast!!

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  Biggest mistake I ever made - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By roxie - April 15 - 9:50 pm

  I purchased the limited AWD, tried out all sorts of SUV. Warranty was part of the decision factor. For a 30,000 auto, you would think they would have put the lights to stay on after you turn off your key. Nope not there ( I was told it did but no it does not) Does not auto lock the doors after you reach the 12 or 15 miles an hour like most cars do. After reading the manual I find out that when you lock in AWD it turns off at 19 miles an hour. I could not believe it so I call Hyundai and they told me yes that it does. So what is the point in having AWD? I have had it 5 days now and ready to trade it in. Rides good except the back seat vibrates more than it should.

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  Great Value - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dale - April 15 - 7:40 am

  I wanted a small, well equipped, commuter car with good gas mileage. I also considered the Honda Civic LX & Mazda M3 I-Touring. If you want style and performance get the Mazda. Excellent long term reputation and a name brand, buy the Civic. For me the M3 was too too small inside and not as comfortable. The Civic was at least $2000 more with fewer standard features and has questionable interior styling. The Elantra is very comfortable, quiet, has fine performance for a small commuter and the warranty far surpasses the other two. With side curtain airbags and four wheel ABS disc brakes it is a leader in safety. Time will tell for long term quality but the longer warranty mitigates this risk.

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  OMG - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By whorah - April 15 - 6:20 am

  Ill try not to get too excited and...well, I give up. This car is simply AMAZING in EVERY ASPECT! Excellent MPG? Check. Great Looks? Check. Good Power? Check. Great Interior? Check. Value? Youve got to be kidding me. I dare anyone to come remotely close with a car that is more pleasing to the eye and features at a price thats say, $10,000 MORE than this GEM of a car. When Hyundai first came to U.S., I made the mistake of owning an Excel. Swore that Ill never buy another car from them. Well, how times have changed! BTW, Ive owned Lexus, Lincoln, Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Suzuki, Jeep and Honda. Nothing, nothing compares at any price. I just love driving or simply staring at my car

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  Affordable Near-Luxury - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By jimpimms - April 15 - 5:20 am

  Since 1997, weve owned two Tiburons, an Elantra GT, and, currently, two Sonatas. This car is greatly improved over the previous generations. My wife has an 02, and theres absolutely no comparison. The ride is firm, yet supple; cornering is flat and agile; power is smooth and ample; the interior is comfortable and spacious; controls are intuitive and well-placed; there are amenities galore, and a plethora of standard safety features. All in all, not only a worthy rival to the Camry, Accord, Altima, Mazda6, G6, LaCrosse, Malibu, and Fusion, but better overall than most of these. When price and warranty are factored in, this Sonata is nearly irresistible.

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  A Gr8t Lil Car To Drive - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By DannyG - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased an 03 Hyundai Accent just after Xmas. I now have 9k miles on it with nary a problem nor concern. Its way comfortable, has plenty of power also fun to drive. Today I had the dealer install an A/C unit. I consistently get 35 MPG om my 80 mile daily commute to work. I love this car and would NOT hesitate to buy another when trade-in times comes around...

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  Value Price - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jac - April 15 - 12:00 am

  Second Santa Fe, wife still owns 2005 which has had no problems in 5 years. Excellent value for the money. A lot more sportier look, better acceleration and improved gas mileage make it a winner.