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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  Hyundai Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LoriW - August 30 - 2:00 am

  After years of driving a Ford F350 crew cab,we bought the Santa Fe based on overall price,package and fuel effeciency. I was totally amazed at the mileage. Hiway trip, it got almost 33mpg. I just grin every time I pass by the gas station that I used to visit twice a week. Very accomodating interior and I can take my two great danes along as well as the heeler. Lots of head room for those of us who are tall, I was surprised by the amount of room in the back seat for my bud who stands 6ft 4in.Even he was surprised. Highly recommended for a pleasant surprise.

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  Realistic & previous Hyundai Owner - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Feegs - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Great Value!!! Smooth Ride!!! Limited space for Big Driver & Passenger in front due to center console which constains leg room toward console. Thats the only beef, otherwise, a fantastic, fun ride with the best warranty in the market! Im over 300 lbs and I love it!

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  fun - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By adriana - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I like it, think is a lot for that money

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  hyundai review frwn - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By wm nundahl - August 29 - 4:00 pm

  the vehicle is nice to drive , but the service and warranty mean nothing. i have had problems with there home office, the dealer itself and the way the handle their customers, if there is any warranty work to get done , seems they have to get hold of there service rep. and then you dont kmow when your going to here from them, you can complain all you want and bring warranty issues to thier attention and you might as well have been talking to the wall. i have had issues that have been on going and were resolved 6 mos. later-- do you call this customer service i dont. seems they are more concerned with thier bottom line, and they only seem to do whats nesc.

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  Overall good car for a small family - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Joseph Teague - August 29 - 8:03 am

  We have owned Hyundias for several years and enjoy the cost free driving and the small car look. They have great room inside and trunk space. If youre looking for a low priced, good quality car with great coverage and low insurance payments this is the car for your family!

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  Improving, but needs more - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By dncb - August 28 - 6:16 pm

  While I only have 1400 miles on my 07 leather limited V6, overall it is a nice car on par with Camry & Accord but choose it because of better features for the buck than either. Minor, but nice styling changes since 06. A personal choice: I had them change out the 17" wheels for 16s for better ride with taller sidewalls since this is not a Corvette I plan to be pulling 6G corners with. The engine design is old school and the fuel mileage shows it. Hyundai needs to follow Hondas edge here in engine tech. Also, Hyundai needs to get into the hybrid market with a peppy Sonata hybrid in the 30-40 mpg range.

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  WoW! - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Jimm - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This car blew me away. I occasionally drive my girlfriends mercedes SLK 230 and the way the Tiburon drives is so similar. It has the solid feel of a european sports car. I was also looking at the Celica, but for thousands less I stopped looking. Hyundai has changed, for the better!!!

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  Great for the $ - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Danigo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Great price for all the included feature Nice sporti looks

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  1,000 miles later... - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By oh so happy - August 28 - 10:00 am

  What a gem-I looked for 3 months- researching cars-Hondas, Toyota...(I thought that would be the ONLY car I would ever buy). I noticed an Elantra GT on the highway-was very curious-and started to research. After the test drive I was hooked...Fabulous car...Highly recommend!

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  What a "steal" - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By El Don - August 28 - 3:40 am

  After test driving the Camry and Accord, I was unable to find a $5,000. difference. I found the Sonata to be equal in most comparable aspects except perhaps mileage (17.26 mpg in city). I feel after purchasing my Sonata for $19,761. I can buy a lot of gas with the savings. The luxurious interior incl. leather, auto driver seat, multi use rear view mirror, arm rest console, automatic power door locks (need to be activated) and a HUGE trunk are my first impressions. Hyundais superior warranty is great for me and those who like to keep their cars a long time.