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:

• 

  Close to perfect - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ksd - April 14 - 1:53 pm

  I shopped extensively for a midsize SUV. I needed three rows of seats and AWD, but wanted a compact package, decent mileage, and a modest price. I almost bought a RAV4 limited, and boy am I glad I decided to test drive a Santa Fe first! For the money, you get a LOT more space and features in the Santa Fe. I had a hard time finding a Limited with touring pkg (3 rows) and without the sunroof, but I finally did and paid $28,000 even (after rebate). So far, my only complaints are the lack of an AUX input on the stereo (for an ipod), and only adequate FM radio reception. It drives great and looks great. The map and dome lights on mine come on when the doors open, contrary to some comments below.

• 

  Hyundai Santa Fe 2005 SE - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By eighthof8 - April 13 - 6:40 pm

  I traded in a 2001 Nissan Exterra for my 2005 Santa Fe mainly for my Wifes daily driver. We both really like it rides/handles like a car. Ive heard complaints of gas mileage here, but our 3.5 is averaging 21 mpg city/highway. On the highway it likes to run 80, so we let it. Highway mpg is a solid 24. For complaints: I wish the center console used better plastic. While driving, and using it as an arm rest, it creaks with any movement, plus the padded top needs more padding. I really dont like the way it accelerates from a standing stop. You crush the accelerator to get it moving, then it wants to blast off. I wish this was smoother. All around, I would purchase another

• 

  Happy with my first Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jprets - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Nice car inside and out. Researched this for awhile and nothing else touches it for the price.

• 

  What out for??? - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Frank Arsenault - April 13 - 12:50 am

  Bought a 2017 Sonata 4 DR. Was not told by Dealer/Sales or Management that the Navigation system in my Sonata was only workable when MY CELL phone was pluged into the automobiles port. When I went to another dealer, then I was told "the Sonata Limited" had Navigation that did NOT require what I was told at the first dealership. PROBLEM was I already purchased the first one. I was so upset that in ONE weeks time I turned THAT Sonata in for the one I did not know about earlier.. Shame on Dealership #1...

• 

  Little, nagging problems - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Melissa - April 12 - 2:30 pm

  I love the look and style of my Sante Fe, hate the poor mileage, and have had a series of different, nagging little problems (related to assembly/quality, affecting safety) that have it in the shop WAY too frequently for a new car that is supposed to rival Honda/Toyota quality! The biggest issue is that the turn signal switch stopped working reliably after about 4 months, and the dealer has not yet been able to fix the problem after 3 tries/3 months - its very dangerous to suddenly find onself unable to signal a turn/lane change, particularly in poor weather! Also, seat belt tensioners in the second row were not installed properly, and did not work at all. Fun to drive, when its working!

• 

  Transmission problem - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By coho - April 12 - 9:46 am

  In the first 2k we experienced a thump almost all the time the vehicle was started in park. Dealer said it was a sticky valve and they replaced the transmission. The problem has started again. Dealer has not/cannot fix it. It never happens when a mechanic is in the vehicle. Hyundia Canada do not really admit to that there is a problem. Offered to leave the vehicle with dealer until they experience the thump. But no they could not do that. Other than this problem the vehicle seems fine. Am keeping a log of the thumps even though with a new vehicle you should not have to. Ammunition for when the warranty runs out.

• 

  Jet-Smooth Engine is Underrated - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By bobad - April 12 - 6:56 am

  When choosing this car, I did more research than usual. I started about a year ago, and thoroughly researched 4 or 5 other mid size cars in the $18- 22K price range. I compared everything having to do with size, performance, reliability, and safety, including intangible, subjective, and emotional factors. Things kept coming up Sonata, and not by a small margin. It was the clear winner. The only factor that gave me pause was the lack of reliability data in the new engine and transmission. I fell back to 2000- 2005 Hyundai quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction records, and I found them to be very acceptable and improving. I knew about all the negatives going in, and there have be

• 

  Genesis - Luxury at a reasonable Cost - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By Greg Ceshker - April 11 - 7:27 pm

  This car has everything you would want in a large, luxury car. Still learning all the great bells and whistles.

• 

  Genesis ROCKS! - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By impressedbo1 - April 11 - 11:40 am

  Drove the car for the first time yesterday and all I can say is WOW! Never thought driving a Hyundai could be so fun or engaging yet so relaxing and assuring. Feels more secure than any BMW Ive ever driven definitely more on par with an A8 as far as structural feel. In performance driving the car has such a neutral feeling and is very balanced weather on or off the accelerator. I dont think the ESP even tried to keep the car in line it just did it on its own. This car looks great with tight wheel well gaps (looks like its already lowered) and sharp tight body lines. The only thing I might change is the rear tail lamps so it looks less like an Infiniti.

• 

  Loving my Santa Fe. - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mrs Jackie - April 11 - 6:00 am

  This is the first SUV that I have ever had the pleasure to drive. And I found that it has spoiled me rotten. Love everything about it. I am also short but it is easy to get in an out of. And it has the smoothest ride. I highly recommend the Santa Fe to anyone who is in the market to purchase and SUV. It is roomy and also durable. It has class an style. I have no complaints at all about the Santa Fe. I just love it love it love it.