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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  2003 Santa Fe LX 2.7 - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By sbraatz - June 10 - 11:31 pm

  My wife and I bought it with 60,000 miles. We had a couple of minor issues right of the bat that the dealer didnt want to handle. I did replace the plugs and wires twice within the first two years because of the same problem. It was a little time consuming but not impossible. Definately cheaper then taking it into the dealer. Other then that it has been very reliable. Gas mileage could be a little better. I think we average around 17-18mpg. We orignally bought it because we were told it could handle a boat. Later found it the towing capacity wasnt great. But would definately buy another one.

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  Unbeatable Value - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By zipperflounder - June 9 - 10:53 am

  I bought a white 07 GLS 5 speed stick with the $1500.00 option (ac,cd,crusie,175 watt sound with 6 speakers,ect) for $14800.00! What a bargin!! From a safty standpoint alone where else can you get a car with 4 wheel disc breaks, abs,electronic break force distribution, AND 6 (yes thats six!) standard airbags for under 15 grand? Not to mention all the other standard goodies included, the excellent fuel economy, super low emessions, power everything, outstanding warranty, and all built to great quality. Hyundai has come a long way and has come to par with the Japanese automakers. The old public perception will still keep resale values down but that is the only knock as far as Im concerened.

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  Best Buy For The Money - 2001 Hyundai Tiburon
  By lwidrig - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Tiburon for 2 years now and havent had a thing wrong with it! It is fun to drive and I dont have to worry about it breaking down anywhere. I have no complaints after 2 years!

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  Listen to the Expert Reviewers - 2001 Hyundai XG300
  By familyfour - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I was a little nervous at first because the expert reviewers gave the XG300 at best an average review. Wish I had followed my instincts. Four times in seven months towing the car to the shop. I know someone else that still has a 300, she is having the same problems I did. The car did get me more comments than any other Ive driven but looks dont guarantee dependability.

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  A great car - 2008 Hyundai Sonata
  By Ken - June 8 - 7:46 pm

  This is my second Hyundai, my first being a 2004 Santa Fe. The Santa Fe gave me excellent service, never a problem in 4 1/2 years. I always loved the way that car handled and rode but the Sonata is even better. The mileage around town and short trips is staying around 26 - 27 MPG, pretty good for a car not broken in yet. Everything about the interior is well thought out and logically placed. Hyundai does a very good job in everything it does.

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  My Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By polly A. - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This car came delivered in perfect condition and we have found no defects. It is a pleasure to drive. We bought on the results of the J.D. Powers quality review and we are not disappointed.

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  Super fun - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Popeye - June 6 - 12:16 pm

  I would love to submit a review on this vehicle. The look is superb and is definitely a head turner. I have a friend who owns a Santa Fe and it was through this referral that I even considered a Hyundai. I initially did not think I would find any vehicle in the sporty line but indeed I did. This is a great ride and I look am happy I made the purchase. May I also note the dealership was excellent.

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  2014 Elantra - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tim Mahoney - June 4 - 11:45 am

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  Traded Mustang for an SUV, and not disappointed - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By D. D. - June 4 - 9:57 am

  What? Traded in a Mustang for an SUV and not disappointed? How can that be you ask? Well first off you cant compare the two, one is pure American muscle rumbling down the highway sucking down gas blowing the doors off other cars. Will it beat a Mustang off the line? Uh no, of course not. Is it as flashy and eye catching as the Mustang? Again no. Are strangers going to come up to me at the gas station and tell me how much they like my car, eh probably not. So why am I so happy with my Tuscon? Three reasons, performance, convenience, and size. Im sure its also a lot safer than my old Mustang but lets focus on those other three. In terms of performance, as I said its not a Mustang. Its an SUV. The Tuscon is a peppy little guy, the 1.6L Turbo is a huge difference over the 2.4L non-Turbo in the base model. Put it in sport mode and it can really get up and go. Gets up to freeway speeds just fine, has no trouble at all. Havent really used the eco mode, I tend to keep it in normal or in Sport when I want a little extra zest. The 7 speed automatic manual transmission deal they got going on is really nice. Much better than the CVT stuff other manufacturers are using. Its a new trans so hopefully it holds up to the test of time. Thats where the warranty comes in, if it has problems Im covered for 100,000 miles. Now when it comes to convenience, you get all the gadgets and gizmos you would expect on a 2016, and with Hyundai you get a lot more than others. Bluetooth, touch screen radio, back up camera, all standard on the Eco (the middle tier trim level). The controls are all right there on the steering wheel and it is all intuitive. No need to read the manual to figure out what things do. So what about size? Im not a small guy (6 foot and weigh more than I should). I fit just fine. Plenty of room to drive in comfort. I havent really sat in the back seat, but thats for the kids so who cares. Speaking of the kids, they really like how the back seats actually recline a bit. Something our Kia does not do. And while talking about the Kia there is definitely more cargo room in the back than in my Sportage. The best thing about size, is the overall size. Its not a huge SUV. It drives like a car, and parks like one but there is still room for a family of 4 and our giant dog to ride in the very back.

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  The Santa Fe SE is a nice vehicle - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By coldrink - June 4 - 4:09 am

  I have had a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SE for about six months. So far, I am very pleased with it. It is comfotable and fun to drive. It has the 3.5L 6 cylinder engine and it runs good. It is swift. It has lots of pep and that is important to me. On the one short road trip it has been on, it got about 24 mpg. In town it gets between 18 and 20 mpg. It is a very nice vehicle. I would recommend the Santa Fe it to anyone, but I would want the 3.5L engine.