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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  Tampa Tib - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tampa Tib - March 12 - 11:40 pm

  I have owned my 07 Tiburon for over a year and I have not had a single problem with it in any way. This car is compact, and fun to drive. People will turn their head when they see you drive by. I have had compliments from other drivers while at the red light. The exterior gives a very sporty and pricey look. The interior is very sharp and modern looking. The vehicle is built very strong which is noticeable when you get in and close the door. Friends will want a ride with you all of the time. My friend say in the drivers seat, turned on the car and said "wow". The engine sounds great for a 4 cyl. and acceleration is impressive. I recommend this car mostly for reliability and looks.

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  The best buy you can make - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Moe - March 12 - 10:26 pm

  I have purchased my Hyundai Sonata V6 about three years ago. I got it with 46K miles on and today it has about 178k miles on it. I have never had an issue with this car. My only issue was that my starter died out of nowhere and it was a pain getting it fixed but other than a new starter, lots and lots of oil changes, tires, and fluid changes. I have never had an issue with this car. It is still a very quiet ride. I feel like this was a deal of the century. Anyways, my next car, I plan to purchase a Hyundai sonata again.

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  Does What I Want - 2008 Hyundai TUCSON
  By DAS - March 12 - 1:53 pm

  We bought a used 2008 Hyundai Tucson 4x4, 2.7L V-6 last year from CarMax to replace our 2005 RAV4 after a wreck. So far, we are satisfied with the Tucson. I had a chance to try out the ABS, traction control, 4 wheel drive, and stability control several times this winter in New Mexico - it all works well. At 21k, the Bridgestones are already showing moderate wear, so well be looking at new tires probably by 30k or so. Im not overly impressed with the 2.7L V-6. Its short on power and only averages around 19 to 20 mpg, giving us the power of a 4 and the mileage of a 6, the worst of both worlds. But its reliable with no mechanical or quality issues. So far, so good.

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  Terrific Vehicle, Lots of Standard Features - 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By J. Aiello - March 12 - 5:42 am

  This is my 3rd Santa Fe, my last was a 2006 GLS. The exterior styling makes this SUV stand out in the segment. I was amazed at the high level of interior quality and the standard features in this model. My ONLY complaints are the small glove compartment and that the height of the front passenger seat is too low and not adjustable. I remedied this by installing a front seat cushion (made for automobiles) for my wife. There are plenty of interior storage places. I like the storage bin under the rear floor that also includes a roll up storage compartment cover. The ride is very comfortable. The engine is quiet, very powerful and works well with the transmission. The middle row and rear seats are easy to lower and the floor is virtually flat. Its a vast improvement over earlier models where I had to remove the 2nd row head rests to lower the seats. I make frequent trips to a home improvement store and its hauled everything I load into it. I really like the A/C vents for the middle row seats and the heating and A/C controls for the rear. seats. The best car I ever owned.

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  Well then - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Kris - March 12 - 5:12 am

  Warning to all those thinking about purchasing a Hyundai Sonata 2011, there have been a large number of recalls because once you hit 85,000 miles+ the engine will fail. I just had it happen to mine. They never sent me a recall report on anything except the break lights. They informed me they are not sure of how long it will take to repair it since theyre not making the engines fast enough. Thankfully, since it was a recall, the Hyundai dealer is paying for the repairs which can cost up to $6,000. They are amazing cars, but the engine failure was a huge disappointment.

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  Happy as Heck - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By VERACRUISIN - March 11 - 5:36 pm

  So far, excellent! Runs and shifts extremely smooth, cabin is quiet, everything looks great. Thought I would never own a Hyundai, and here I am, happy as heck. Editors review doesnt like the looks, but everyone second looks the VC, and asks what it is, and they love it. Dash works great, and the blue lighting is easy on the eyes. Have the VC only 2 weeks now, and I have no regrets at all. Compared to my 2004 GP GTP, gas mileage is great!!

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  TONS of research, not as advertised! - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By carguru - March 11 - 12:56 pm

  Fellow buyers, I am torn in this review. I researched this purchase literally to death! There isnt a site I left unviewed, a model in this category I didnt drive, PERIOD! But I eventually settled on the Santa Fe due to unbeatable feature/$$ list, improved mileage, and warranty. I love the truck in almost all ways, BUT, there is certainly a transmission issue with these trucks (slams into gear, lurches forward unpredictably as others mentioned!), and the mileage is nowhere near EPA. I have 25k km on mine, and never see below 12 L/100 km and EPA est is 7.6/100 km hwy and 10.1/100 km city. NO CHANCE! I have had service chk tranny twice, and going for third time in two days! :-(

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  XG350 - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Ariel Vantro - March 10 - 7:20 pm

  1. Lots of equipments, 2, Very Cheap compare with other car. 3, Long warranty :: 10years 1000000mile 4, I love the Style(interior, exterior) 5, Reliability is better than before. 6, Satisfy

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  good mpg - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By larry - March 10 - 3:56 pm

  Been reading about mpg in town hard to say on the highway {3 trips} 23 to 26 mpg good for a comfortable suv. Good pickup lots of room inside, I am 6 ft wife is 5,2" and interior suits us both. Ride is good handling is Nice but than it is not a Corvette. Considering trading for another Santa Fe but resale is low on suv now.

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  Amazing Tiburon - 2005 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Tara - March 10 - 10:40 am

  Ive had my Tiburon for a few months - I LOVE IT. I still say its the best purchase Ive ever made! Its fun, fast, sleek, economical and most of all has the best warranty EVER! What are you waiting for? If youre looking for an economical, sharp looking sports car, this one is it! Mine is black with stainless steel accents and although Ive tried to find new accessories for it - nothing is needed to make it look as sharp as it already looks - minus tinted windows.