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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  I love it - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mustnvthis - April 6 - 5:23 pm

  Although I only recently purchased this vechile I absolutley LOVE IT!!!! I have no cmplaints what so ever. I went from an 05 elantra to the Santa Fe and I just cant get enough of it. Its very eye catching inside and out. Once I saw it I knew it had to be mine.

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  Did I get the Lemon? - 2013 Hyundai Veloster
  By toomanycats305 - April 6 - 2:06 pm

  Ok, Ive read your reviews and it looks like Im a loner out here that has acceleration issues all the time. I cant go 35 mph without it chugging and begging to please go at least 45 mph to get a smoother ride. I cant do that when I live and drive in a 35 mph zone. And its in the shop as I write this since it choked up and literally STOPPED while trying to accelerate and pass on a two lane highway over the weekend. Now I know how head-on collisions occur!! The car is cute, comfortable and dangerous. I want to sell it or trade it and now feel stuck since I only bought it in Dec 2013. I should have wondered why it was still on the lot.Theres a design flaw with the tranny and they know it.

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  Worst Car I ever owned!! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By raalex82 - April 5 - 5:39 pm

  When I purchased my 2002 Santa fe in 2006 I thought I had found a great deal. It had only 45k miles on it with one previous owner. The first couple years were great...then the problems began. At 80k my transmission was replaced. At about 100k everything started leaking from engine coolant to power steering fluid. Then to top it all off I was driving on the freeway 2 days after an oil change and my engine started knocking and I as I was trying to get over to pull off the road it began to smoke. When I popped the hood there was a small engine fire. Needless to say I needed a new engine, but opted to get rid of it. I had already spent close to $5,000 in repairs and was done.

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  VeraCruz - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Cheryl - April 5 - 7:00 am

  Very uncomfortable passenger and back seat. You can feel every bump and pothole magnified. Fuel economy is not what advertised.

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  Defective Car-Hyundai refuses to Fix - 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By genesiscoupe7 - April 4 - 8:34 pm

  I bought a brand new 2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe 6 speed, when I pressed the clutch the car makes horrible clanking and rattle noises. I took the car back and they told me that normal. I then switched the car for a different one and that car makes the same horrible noise. THe master mechanic at Hyundai states lots of people have complained but hyundai says they do not recognize this as a problem. I hate this car with a passion, it sound like your driving a 1980 sports car that rattles and clanks. DOnt waste you money the car is a piece of crap.

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  Best Looking Hybrid out there - 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By coolhokie - April 4 - 3:33 am

  I just purchased Sonata hybrid with the leather package in Pearl White. It is absolutely greatest hybrid. I love how it looks inside and out. Anywhere I look at this vehicle makes me smile. Hyundai really did an excellent job of making this vehicle. Cant wait to drive it again.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By James - April 2 - 7:53 pm

  I bought the 2009 GLS (5speed) earlier this month (April), and I love it. During my search, I drove many similar mid-size sedans, and I have to say that this is the best deal for the price! Unlike other entry level mid-size sedans, the interior of the 09 Sonata does not feel cheap. The fuel economy of the 5speed is fantastic. The car handles well, and has plenty of room in the interior for passengers. The trunk space is bigger than my first apartment. This is a great car, fun to drive, and a great price. (I got the 2009 GLS 5 speed brand new for $14,500 in Richmond, VA).

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  My first new car! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Sarah - April 2 - 5:50 pm

  When my dad told me he would finally buy me a new car (I had been driving a 12 year old Mazda 929), I was ecstatic. I am somewhat of a car fanatic, so I immediately began researching for which SUV I wanted. After I went to look at the Hyundai Sante Fe, I was sold. Its exterior design appeals to both old and young alike, and the interior is the nicest of any Ive seen. Ive had this car for several months, and I absolutely love it. Its great interior/exterior designs, comfort, performance and cool extra features make it the perfect SUV for anyone. I think its just the right size, too--not too big, not too small.

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  Great so far - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By New2007Fe - April 1 - 11:36 pm

  Just purchased new 07 Fe. Love the styling, interior space, and the smooth confident power of the 3.3 V6. Handles well with little body roll. Vehicle would be perfect if not for a squeaking noise in the passenger dash area and passenger seat (both showed up at about 250 mile). Service is working with Hyundai to find repair. I would totally recommend this vehicle!!

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  Great running SMALL suv - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By drivenamerican - April 1 - 6:55 pm

  Our Santa Fe was bought used and now has 102,000 miles on it. The 2.7 liter is underpowered but gets great gas mileage. There are a few design flaws such as the third brake light hanging in the rear window, and the back 3 spark plugs are under the intake manifold, changing them is expensive and a pain. the last thing is the drivers seat does not go back far enough for taller drivers.