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 this car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lovelylisa - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car on the 3rd of Feb though I havent been driving it very long but I this cars performance. The warranty I got is the best ever!

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  BEST CAR I HAVE OWNED - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ROBERT MAIDA - September 16 - 2:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE, DEPENDABLE, COMFORTABLE,NIMBALE, ALL AROUND GREAT CAR!!!

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  Santa Fe vs. Escape - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bridge - September 16 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I spent three weeks doing our homework on small SUVS. Our criteria were mpg, monthly payments, and quality. We had a great deal for the Escape, but eventually decided on purchasing the Santa Fe due to a much classier/comfortable interior and a greater list of overall standard options. Seating in the Hyundai was much more comfortable and plush. In the end, we have a much higher quality vehicle with a stronger warranty. Hyundai apparently is following Hondas initial footsteps by increasing quality or losing the American market. Five years ago, I would not have even considered a Hyundai.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jeni16139 - September 16 - 2:00 am

  My Santa Fe is the best vehicle i have ever owned. It is comfortable, easy to drive. Has lots of room and the children i have had in my car like the comfortable seats, as do I. I have a ruptured disc on my tailbone. in this vehicle i am so comfortable. I am excited each time I get in it because I know I Will enjoy the ride. I am so pleased with my Santa Fe I have been recommending it to everyone searching for a new vehicle. I have never done that at all.

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  My Little Lexus - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By tundra1 - September 15 - 9:46 pm

  After reading numerous reviews of this car I thought Id give it a look. I had just driven a fit when I walked next door to the Hyundai dealer and drove the elantra. I was very impressed. Feature content was unmatched, very comfortable (I am 6,2"), and visibility is excellent. Power is ok and mpgs are excellent. The most pleasant surprise to me was at 80 mph on the interstate it is really quiet. Nice build quality.

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  No Brainer - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Jack - September 15 - 4:16 pm

  This car was among the most fun to drive of the mid-sized sedans. When the safety features, warranty and value are considered this was the product for us.

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  Base 07 Santa Fe Review - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By frank - September 15 - 10:33 am

  Hyundais first US designed and manufactured model is awesome. I have people thinking this is the Infiniti FX35 or the Acura MDX when they look at it from different angles! I have the arctic white 2.7L engine with the automatic/sportronic transmission. This car has enough power with this engine to do what it needs to do, carry my wife and my baby with space for the stroller/etc in the cargo area. Great looks inside and out. People think this is a luxury car whenever they see it, since it has great interior(wood grain trimming, fake aluminim trimming, and dual color dashboard/interior). Second row has its own storage(floor shelves, backseat pockets) and air conditioning!

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  I Get Many Compliments - 2002 Hyundai Sonata
  By Larryissmart - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I get only positive comments and compliments from friends and family. Two friends (so far) now want to go out and purchase a Sonata. Very attractive European styling. Fit and finish are excellent. At a distance, appears to be a much more expensive car. Engine is quiet and smooth. Rear seats are comfortable enough for two large adults. Dealer was excellent and not at all pushy. You cant find a better bargain than the Sonata. The best vehicle purchase I have ever made.

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  Nice little package - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By afridi99 - September 13 - 11:33 pm

  Nice styling, excellent interior. Two gripes that I have... first, for a 140-hp engine it seems to accelerate quite poorly, especially at higher speeds. Second, for some reason, the brakes squeal the first couple of times you use them after the car has been stationary for some time, say overnight. Otherwise a very decent package for a very reasonable price.

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  Excellent Sports Car- Fun to Drive! - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Michele Smith - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Genesis Coupe a few weeks ago. My brother introduced me to the car; reporting it to be one of the best cars out this year. When I first laid eyes on this car, I couldnt believe it was a Hyundai! The exterior is sleek and very sporty. The interior has all the bells and whistles as a 350z or G35/G37. I was upgrading tremendously, coming from a 07 Toyota Corolla! The ride is smooth and handles well around corners. You know you love your car when you look back at it 3-5 times as you walk away!