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:

• 

  Cool Car, Cool Price - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By gabe3210 - August 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car for over a year and I am pretty happy with it. I have honestly been thinking about upgrading to a Jetta, but every time I think about it, I have to remind myself that I get more bells and whistles for a fraction of the cost. I have a fully equipped GT and love the idea of leather, fog lights, traction control/ ABS, moon roof, alloy wheels, etc. for about $7K less than the Jetta. I also love the hatchback styling and versatility. Of course, this is kind of like comparing apples to oranges, however.

• 

  Piece of Junk - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By dksm - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car back in Apr of 02 and it seemed like a good deal for the price. Everything worked great at first but then I started having some problems. First I had to replace the water pump in Jun-02, then a few months later I had to replace the radiator because the original one leaked in about 4 different places. For about the next 7 months I had no problems so I was thinking that everything would be ok, but then in Apr-03 one of the radiator fans went out. About 3 months later the AC stopped working because of a leak in one of the hoses. The AC worked for about month and now it has stopped working again. There is leak somewhere else in the AC system.

• 

  So far............so good - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By FastJohn - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Only 300 miles on it so far, but for a $12,000 car it seems like you definately get what you pay for. Its no BMW, but for a compact has a decent ride, pretty quiet, excellent CD stereo system, and all the basic power features (windows, door locks, mirrors, AC, etc.)

• 

  When I want to go....I go - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By YankeeInKY - August 12 - 10:46 pm

  Way fun to drive. Especially in the hills of KY & my many trips to Central NY. This baby loves the hills & hugs the road. Be prepared for others to try to race you. I have been driving (Im 40) and had young kids try to race me. However, I know now whats up and why as when I bought this car I thought it was cute. Only when I got a flat tire was I told this is a "High Performace" vehicle. Not to mention my cousin how runs a shop asked me why I bought it and like I said to him....I missed driving a coupe and it was just plain fun to drive.

• 

  Very pleased with our decision - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By nlknight2005@yahoo.c - August 12 - 3:10 am

  I read everything in sight and did a lot of research. After driving both the 4cyl and the V6 we decided on the 4cyl. Our dealer was very cooperative and let us check the cars out and get in some realistic drive time. It is very responsive and has plenty of get up and go. We have not experienced any of the few negatives that I came across in our research. My daughter has had a Hyundai for 4 years and highly recommended this brand to us.

• 

  Hyundai Sonata - 1995 Hyundai Sonata
  By paul the driver - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car at aroudn 50,000 miles and now it had 100,000 miles the car performed very well untill about 90,000 and then everythign just started falling apart i spend maybe 3,000 on repairs and currently my transmission only has 3rd gear i will redline on a highway at 90mph i cant take turns at more then 25mph or it will skid out i dont recomend buying a hyundai i would rather have a civic then this car

• 

  Overall a VERY pleasant surprise! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By gwydionoak - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I have been very pleasantly surprised with my Hyundai Elantra. For a small, economy car it is sensibly designed, roomier and more comfortable (by far) than any other car in its class that I test drove. It has very peppy acceleration for its size (a good size engine, but of course you sacrifice some fuel economy) and handles very well. It is also very quiet for a small car and has great visibility. Combine that with a killer warranty (Ive still got two years worth of bumper to bumper) and what more can I say? The only negative Ive discovered about my car is that the power door locks are really weird, and more than a little annoying. But overall I am very pleasantly surprised by this car!

• 

  first couple months - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By EYEAGER - August 11 - 9:43 pm

  the exterior styling is better than any honda or toyota,.feature content for the money is better than any car line out on the market. no rattles or squeeks, engine response is excellent and shift-tronic is needed for any four cylinder model car. who else has a car with michelin tires, alloy wheels,speed control,pwr door locks and windows,audio controls on steering wheel, cd player with mp3, side impact air bags, side curtain air bags, huge trunk space and interior room, all for $18500.00../no honda/toyota/ford/dodge/chevy or even mercedes can match that price.! and vehicle and engine are made here in america!! gas mileage here in california is the only complaint - only one complaint!!

• 

  Black Accent - 2003 Hyundai Accent
  By tkmagone - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Pleasant surprise. Engine is very smooth and car has virtually no rattles. Build quality is much better than expected.

• 

  Impressed by first Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By fwypilot - August 10 - 7:54 am

  This is our first Hyundai. Between my wife and I, we have put on about 3500 miles (70/30 Hwy/Cty). Gas mileage has been averaging around 27-28 mpg. I am 6 ft. 3 in. tall and my wife is 5 ft. 2 in. We both find the seats to be comfortable and supportive. Our car had a mid level upgrade that came with Nav/XM/iPod/Bluetooth. The 300+ watt stereo with Dimensions brand speakers produces quality sound (not earth shaking) with a variety of music. Interior fit and finish seem to be spot on. Exterior has been holding up well. I just finished a drive to Vegas from L. A. and found the ride to be very smooth, quiet and solid, qualities we didnt expect with Hyundai. Dont pass this car up!