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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  19K and running strong - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By luvmelmuch - April 14 - 8:58 am

  I bought my Hyundai in Jan and have put over 19K miles on it so far. I have changed the oil and rotated tires. This car has preformed wonderfully. The Gas mileage is wonderful and the fit and finish is very good. My engine has not had any issues and makes no strange noises. The seats are comfortable and I have driven long distances and did not arrive tired or beat up. The XM radio and stereo work really well.

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  Very Happy - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By MHnwd - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the SE model new in May of 97, and have been very happy with the overall performance. Its great on gas and very dependable. I have 85,000 miles and it still runs great. It has a strong little 4 cyl and the 5 spd makes it fun to drive. No major problems, only routine maint. It has exceeded my expectations and I have got my money out it!

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  eh, it was cheap at least! - 1997 Hyundai Accent
  By Hyundaiguy - April 14 - 2:00 am

  sux, period. What else can you say. We needed a car and this was the least we could spend on 4 moving wheels at the time.

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  best car to drive - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By acecam - April 13 - 6:53 am

  this is the best car i have ever driven or owened

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  Clutch problems - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By JEER - April 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Tib 2003 on Nov 30th 2002, (sunroof, abs, v6, 5 speed, 18250 on the road) I have the hell of the time with the car, until I started to have problems with the clutch after only 8000 miles. I took it three times to dealer to get it fix, finally they replaced the whole part, but it was too late for me. I trade it on Dec 2003.

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  Cant Believe It - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DC Lee - April 13 - 2:00 am

  After 8000 miles car broke down in bad weather. Roadside service very good for tow. After 2 trips to dealer and 11 days I finally got the car back. Needed a new engine module. Am fearful of breakdown now. Also had to have cloth seat rep[lace as it tore at the seems. Also do not like breaking feel. Wish i had bought ABS. This car will not get old with me

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  2004 - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By asco - April 13 - 2:00 am

  excellent suv. the best in its catergory.

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  Please dont stop making them! - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By Vanessa - April 12 - 8:56 pm

  I Just Traded my 2003 XG350L For a 2005 XG350L. I Love that car. Im a 45 year old woman who for the first time in my life, bought the same car twice. The Axera looks nice, but the body style is not as classy as the XG350. Please bring it back in 2007. The comfort, luxury, performance, reliability, and safety is unmatched for the price. Its the car Ive always wanted, but never thought I could afford. I tell everyone I know how great my car is. Please, please, please bring it back.

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  DO NOT RECOMMEND - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Am - April 12 - 6:12 pm

  I have had this car for 2 years (first car Ive ever owned). About a month after I bought the car a vibration/shaking problem occured at about 15-20 mph. We have been to 7 different automotive places (including where we bought it from!!!) and NO ONE has been able to figure out the problem so Ive been stuck with the problem for about 2 years. Recently, (and Ive read other reviews about this) the fuel gauge is failing to tell me how much gas I actually have. Whenever I just had filled up at the gas station, the gauge stayed where I was before I had filled up. A new vibration/shaking has occured on the drivers side and only does it at certain points (weird, I know). However, I took it to walmart they said the left tire, it had been out of balance and it was fixed that day. The next day the same problem occured and I immediately took it somewhere I had gone before and of course when driving it they couldnt feel anything and the car didnt make any noise or feeling like it had been. They visually inspected it and found nothing wrong (I know that must sound crazy but I promise it REALLY happened). Selling this car ASAP. After reading these reviews, Im glad Im not the only one.

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  Best new car I have owned - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By wjpjr - April 12 - 3:06 pm

  I looked at Honda, Toyota, Subaru and Ford. This car has them all beat. Hyundai has put together an incredible package for the money. The car looks great and is a lot of fun to drive. The car has the feel of a larger car. I dont feel like Im driving a smaller SUV. Never dreamed I would own a Hyundai