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 - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Paul 88 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  A REAL TREAT........FOR THE PRICE, BETTER THAN ANY OF ITS COMPETITION

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  Watch Out For Faulty Airbags!!!!!! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By itfigures - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Though we loved our GT, weve had problems with the front/passengar airbags twice (dealer had to replace module once, then the connector). AND, when we got into a front-end collision at 35mph (hit a truck t-bone), our airbags failed to deploy. Dealership is giving us the runaround as is Hyundai corporate. Just watch out.

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  Wish my wife would let me drive it! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By PBoiler - August 6 - 10:00 am

  SO far so good. I wish I got a chance to drive it more. My wife loves the SUV feel of sitting high and yet it is easier to get into than many other SUVs. It drives tight like a sports car and gives you a great feel for control. From what I could tell in my research, it was definitely the best buy for the money. 0% financing and many options added to help seal the deal. My best automotive purchase experience to date.

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  more than expected - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gabby - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This car surprised me, I was not expecting the quality and performance for the money I payed. Cant wait to see next years model

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  Good Performance - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By wmkim74 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Good Performance and Style.

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  Dangerous Steering - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By snehila - August 4 - 1:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle a week ago and have to advise you to not purchase until Hyundai has a solution to the steering problem. The car doesnt track straight at all, darting left and then right requiring constant and exhausting corrections to the wheel. The wheel doesnt center itself. To explain what I mean, while going around a curve if you remove your hands from the wheel, the car continues to go around the curve. It never makes any movement to center the wheel and track straight. At highway speeds I have never felt less in control. Even with two hands on the wheel driving for more than 15 minutes is a frightening and tiring experience.

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  Great SUV, why no advertising? - 2009 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Biz - August 4 - 12:23 am

  After checking out the Ford Flex, the Toyota Highlander & the Chevy Traverse, I went with the Veracruz initially due to the price advantage & the warranty. Now that Ive had it a month, I am very glad I got this SUV. Its great to drive, has tons of great features. Hyundai needs to advertise this great SUV!

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  Sure beats a van - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Paul - August 3 - 8:40 pm

  Outstanding alternative for those who want seven passenger seating without having a truck feel/drive. Its as elegant as the high priced Acura and Lexus SUVs without hitting your wallet. Very roomy for 7 passengers and the amenities and fit and finish are excellent. Very quiet, smooth ride with a V6 that has good kick on the highway.

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  First SUV - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Linda Green - August 3 - 8:06 pm

  Saw the Tucson at an auto show. We had just purchased a new Elantra for my husband and were picking it up when I sat in the Tucson to see how it felt. Really liked it. I traded in my 2003 Sonata GLS that was wonderful for the Tucson that I fell in love with. It handles well and is a pleasure to drive. Roominess is great. Im 6 and my husband is 63".

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  I hate my Sonata Hybrid - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By txteacher1 - August 3 - 1:09 am

  We bought this car for me since I am on the road more than my husband. The gas mileage is significantly lower than promised. I am so disappointed since that is the major reason we purchased this car. My husband drives it now. We like the back up camera (we bought the top model) and the sun roof is a wow factor...but in the hot Texas sun we havent really used it except at night. It sits low so big bumps/dips scrap the bottom. We spent more money on this car because the promised gas mileage ( saleman said) I wish I had made a different choice. The dealer has told us tough luck on the 22mpg...we are stuck with it-or take the lost trading it.