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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  youll enjoy the luxury - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By jean - January 31 - 10:00 am

  The xg350L has the comfort and quality of much higher priced cars . . . and a bargain. I have always enjoyed a sporty "feel" in the past, but have fallen in love with this model. Dollar for dollar, it is a best buy. I like the roomy interior, the leather seats, the fold down rear seats, and other added features which make this car a delight to drive.

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  In the Shop - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Annamcc - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive had very bad luck with my Santa Fe. It is frequently being repaired, it has no power to get over hills(mis-fire in the cylinders), the air conditioner provides little more than an open window does and smells like mold, the rear wheels screech constantly, the powerlocks NEVER worked right and are now disconnected, a MAJOR moisture problem in winter(have to scrape the inside of the windows while driving.

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  still on the fence - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By nicole23 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  THe car is a good car, But I have had some problems with it. At 3000 miles the transmission needed to be replaced. the taillight all needed to be replaced, they turned white. I think the head lights are about to as well. the dome lights dont work. I dont listen to the stereo very loud but the speakers blew. the driver chair rocks back and forth

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  bumper - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By maloni - January 31 - 10:00 am

  this is the car that you can prve against crazy drivers, if they try to hit you for the bumper in the rear they gonna cry after that

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  So Far So Good - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Ray - January 30 - 4:13 pm

  I have about 1900 miles on my Tucson, So far its been fun to dirve, a little bigger feel to maneuver than my previous Forester, but I am getting used to it. I could use a touch more mpg which is hovering just under 20 mpg (mostly city). I dont expect that to improve though some have said it will. I believe it is a well-made vehicle with a lot of extras for the money. As other have mentioned, a little less engine noise would be appreicated, but its not a problem. The wind noise on my Forester was horrendous so this ride is much quieter. Handles and feels like a car, comfortable to ride and drive. Recommended for any seeking an economically-priced reliable, versatile vehicle.

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  Surprised - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By Britt25 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be more surprised at the comfort, styling, and reliability of this car. IF all that doesnt get to you then the warranty should. I feel smarter than everyone else because I have so much for so little. The only crime is not buying this car because youre afraid of the name.

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  Dont buy this car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By irishfiregoddess - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car from the day I purchased it, BRAND NEW. The alignment was way out of whack the minute I drove it off the lot. Also, I failed inspection, on a BRAND NEW CAR, because the right rear brake wasnt up to code. A week later, the pulley for my power steering just fell off and I lost control of the car. Luckily, I was only doing 30mph. The pulley, again, on a brand new car, was stripped. Now I am having problems with the rotors, and the hose for the coolant was corroded and had to be replaced. The car is only 3 years old. I am sorry, but this was a horrible buy and would never recommend this car to anyone.

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  fun! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By paul - January 29 - 2:10 am

  It may have been my mid-life crisis decision, but was a great one. Beautiful car. Can not look at anything else because others look way too plain after driving this car. Keeping it in the garage for now, but, love to leave it out and look at it out the window. Listens to me. When I want to go, it goes, when I want to stop, it stops, when I want to turn without stepping on the breaks, it turns. Wow!

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  A fine vehicle at any price - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By bri777 - January 28 - 2:00 am

  When I travel I often rent out mid and full size cars. More often than not I look forward to going back home to my Elantra GT. The driving dynamics are perfectly suited to my tastes. Not too soft and handles expansion joints with aplomb.

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  Getting worse... - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By niteflite888 - January 26 - 12:08 pm

  This is my third or fourth review on this same car since buying it 17 months ago. Theres a crackling/rattling noise from the front which the dealer tried to address by tightening something and that hasnt worked. The alignment is still off although my original tires are still usable at 28k miles. Most recently theres been excessive road noise and I cant figure out what it is. The ride feels cheap, its awful going over bumps, i dont ilke the feel and sound of the swooshing steering wheel. all in all, i think the value is still good on paper when you consider the features on the base model compared to the accord or camry. i most likely will be turning this in at lease end.