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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  Satisfied so far - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By cpc4 - August 18 - 4:52 pm

  Only 5000 miles since the Dec. 15th 2013 purchase and so far so good. I have had no steering issues at all that I keep reading about. I gave up my 2006 4runner 4.7l V8 with 95000 miles that I loved, to get better gas mileage and 22 city and 30 hwy is great out of this 2.4l . The only issue , so far is the loss of power for a split second or 2 that only happens at an idle when Im getting read to pull out in traffic or say make a left turn. You start to depress the throttle only to have nothing happen for that second or two,quite disturbing for that short moment.This has happened 4 times and the pattern seems to be only on 95+ degree days

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  Missing the Mark, but still a nice car. - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By michelangelo7 - August 18 - 1:01 pm

  I purchased my 2012 Sonata Hybrid new from the dealership. This was my first "fancy" car, as I had always gone either base model or used in the past due to financial difficulty, but I was finally in a position to spoil myself a bit, and was able to justify my expense in the fuel savings, or so I though... Highway miles truly are 38-40, and I can even get that if "cruising", but only if the weather is nice, and traffic is light. Here in the Midwest we get temperature extremes which effect the fuel economy a great deal, and stop and go city driving averages 32 mpg which is no where near what they had advertised. My friends all say I drive like an old man too, so I know its not just me...

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  Great Little SUV - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By slatwj - August 18 - 5:33 am

  We love this vehicle. We have taken it on a trip from Florida to New York State and back and it was very comfortable. Every time I climb into the "hunny 2son" all I can think is - wow, this is nice. The looks are much better than the Santa Fe.

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  it is OK suv - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Alex G - August 18 - 2:00 am

  well it is a suv after all and i am kind of a sedan person.... but it has never made me any problems at least big ones

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  Tight car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Deez Nutz - August 18 - 2:00 am

  this car is tight to have for a high schooler

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  My 2nd Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By cirrus - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I am loving my 2nd Elantra even more than my first, which I never thought possible. I have a 2000, and the exterior style changed alot. The 2003 is much roomier inside, as well as quieter, a much smoother ride, and much more responsive, and the stock radio sounds a million times better. All things I wasnt even complaining about on the 2000, so thats gotta be good. The cup holder in the rear was a good addition too. Missed that on the older one. My salesperson was an idiot and I would have never bought if it wasnt the car selling itself and already owning one. It was a horrible buying experience, but I love my new car.

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  MOVE OVER JAPAN - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LAJ - August 18 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE BEST VEHICLE FOR THE MONEY & FOR DRIVING. HYUNDAI GIVES THE BEST OF EVERYTHING IN THIS VEHICLE. STYLING, PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY AND ALL THE EMENITIES YOU COULD WANT.

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  great - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ldresmich - August 18 - 2:00 am

  this vehical is the best SUV I have drive. It is small but roomy it is fast but safe it is perfect for someone who wants 4 wheel drive but ot a lot of car!

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  2000 miles a month cant be wrong - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ksuwildcat daddy - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Idrive alot 2k a month and all over while i am 65 the vehicle was not designed with me in mind but to hop in and go 375 miles in a few hours i find to be better than my old 4-runner and it gets better mileage to i would reccomend this vehicle to anyone who wanrs quality with a great warranty and great value for the dollar

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  Veracruz welcome addition - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By win - August 17 - 10:43 am

  My wife was interested in the Santa Fe a couple of years back when she purchased a very new chevolet equinox which we were pleased. Driving the new Vericruz was an awesome experience. Of course the price was considerably more, but it was much less the the Lexus Suv of comparable design. Great ride, better drive with 7 passenger accommodation and still short wheelbase. All the bells and whistles of an expensive SUV. The power tailgate was an important feature for us. Only negatives primarly relate to accessories not yet available. Dash has good controls but console does not provide uncovered storage area. ENJOY!