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:

• 

  I love the Santa FE! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Santa FE - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I have loved my Santa FE. It is a great car. It is stylish, economical, and has been a great investment. I would recommend it to anybody.

• 

  buying a hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ricky28 - June 1 - 10:00 am

  its a great car highly recommend hyundai santa fe

• 

  Sonata - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Scott thomas - May 31 - 8:23 pm

  The sonata was a dependable roomy car that served me very well

• 

  Love it, love it, love it! - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Janice - May 31 - 9:40 am

  Ive only had this SUV a few months but I find that it is the perfect fit for me. I wanted something with more cargo room than my previous car but didnt want to be driving a ship. The Tucson fits the bill. It has a ton of cargo room when needed as all of the seats except for the drivers fold completely flat. This is done easily, too. It handles well and has a very tight turning radius. The sound system is excellent and the back seat is comfortable.

• 

  Finding excuses just to drive somewhere - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By AnonymousBean - May 31 - 6:43 am

  I am loving my new Tucson! Ive been finding reasons to go out just so I can drive it (i.e. more coffee runs, sightseeing). Its very zippy and I am super comfortable driving it. Ive seen some people mention in other reviews & articles the tightness of steering is hard to get used to or seems rigid. I got used to it really fast. I think it handles great. The steering is sensitive, but I find I dont have to turn the wheel as much to make a turn, change lanes, etc. My friend came over and walked right past my car. She said "Oh, I thought for sure that wasnt your new car. It looks like a luxury SUV." She didnt believe it was a Hyundai. I was all smiles.

• 

  simply amazed.. - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By USCtrojanMan - May 29 - 9:36 pm

  I must say that Hyundai really did it with this one..I needed a reliable car that was comfortable and classy and the sonata was a natural choice. The car has been treating me well/

• 

  best deal on the market - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By wisconsinsteve - May 29 - 10:00 am

  2002 Hyundai Elantra GT with 15" alum alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, cruise, power windows, locks & mirrors, leather interior, trip computer, folding rear seats, 6 speaker stereo w/CD, fog lamps, intermit wipers, A/C, mud guards, monogrammed floor mats, 5 yr-60000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, 10 yr-100000 mile powertrain warranty, 5 yr roadside assistance, adust height seatbelts, and side-impact airbags. just find ANY other vehicle today that gives you such a long list of standard features for less than $14,600. so far the build quality, fit & finish, and reliability have been flawless. move over honda and toyota, youve got company.

• 

  Best car I have ever bought - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By katlyn08 - May 29 - 2:27 am

  This car was exactly what I was looking for. It is great on gas, I am averaging 28 to 35 miles to the gallon (you have to buy medium grade and from a good gas station...yes the quality of the fuel does make a tremendous difference on gas averaging). It has just enough space. Not too big or to small. It has good pick up. It is super safe...with 8 air bags. GET THE GLS OR LIMITED and definitely get the NAVI. It is totally worth it. Talkiing on the phone hands free is totally worth it plus the navigation is awesome. It is so easy to use. I love this car. My only regret is not getting the limited. DO NOT get the GL. Spend a few extra bucks and really enjoy the ride!!!!

• 

  Wow, Hyundai has a Winner - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fred - May 28 - 8:00 pm

  nearing 700 miles in 3 weeks. Its great, surpasses my expectations. Just as a frame of reference, our other car is a 2007 Avalon Limited. The Santa Fe is very nearly as quiet!!! Santa Fe steering is quicker ratio, thus feels very nimble, fun to drive, Very easy to park. All controls intuitive. Ride is reaonably smooth, only sign. bumps register (but remember Im spoiled by the Avalon). COmpared to many other SUVs Ive riden in, the Santa Fe is genuinely most car like in ride. Drags our 2700# boat up the ramps easily, way easier than our former car. Back storage/room is very practical. We love it. Dont buy anything until youve tested a Santa Fe.

• 

  What a GREAT car!!! - 2005 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Tracey - May 28 - 11:26 am

  Before buying a Tuscon I test-drove Hondas CR-V, Toyotas RAV4, Saturns VUE, Hondas Element, Chevy Blazer - none can hold a candle to the Tuscon. A smooth, QUIET ride was a must for me; it gives by far the most solid-feeling, quiet ride. Everything about it feels "sound" - even the doors close w/ a solid sound. Love this car!