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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  Love It - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gman2705 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Santa Fe with 35 000 miles. Now has 75 000 on it and runs like new. Goes great in the snow. Everything is tight, no squeaks or rattles. First SUV, and the next one will be a Santa Fe.

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  Great Car - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bill - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I have about 900 miles and cant be pleased more. I get about 35 hwy and 27 city. Im sure those figures will improve. Interior is very nice, more upscale than your typical car in this segment.

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  better than the Lexs - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By revric - February 19 - 7:46 am

  When I stated looking for a mid-size SUV, I narrowed down the choices to Rav4, Highlander, and Santa fe. Im so stoked that I drove the Santa fe first and last, I was sold and the warranty/pricing and craftmanship was icing on the cake. I have had it for 8 months and have over 25K already, mostly highway miles, and I get an unbelievable 25 MPH on Hwy and average 22 in the city. So if your dreaming Bout a midsized Suv, look no farther then the Santa fe

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  Do your research before buying any Veloster - 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  By B Holmes - February 18 - 4:52 pm

  There are still significant issues with the (to be fair most regardless of manufacturer) GDI engine. Jerky acceleration appears somewhat randomly, and city driving in this car is a burden. Handling is not very good. The entertainment system interface in the car is not very well thought out and the display screen is overly bright at night, creating a distraction. After a full month and 1700 miles, I am realizing how cheaply this car is made. After owning Hondas (92 civic, 83 accord--over 200k miles) and an 04 Toyota Celica (190k miles) I can say that Hyundai, at least with the Veloster, is not in the same league yet. There is no way I could recommend this vehicle.

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  New XG350 - 2005 Hyundai XG350
  By jcannaverde - February 18 - 4:03 am

  Traded in a 2002 Buick LeSabre for this car. Drove it 700 miles with no problems and found it very comfortable. Great Long distance car. Was not fatigued after 10 hours. Got a great deal from Harrelson Hyundai in Charlotte NC, They still have 4 new 2005s on the lot. Test 2006 Sonata, 2006 Accord, sat in the 2006 G6, Lacrosse, Lucerne and Ford 500 and the 2007 Camry. We liked the XG350 best. Easy to to drive, Controls logically laid out and more features than the others at a lower price. We even lowered our monthly payment $125.

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  Even better than I thought it would be! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fwc - February 18 - 1:16 am

  Traded a 99 CR-V EX AWD for this model. Came with Option Pkg 3, and everything I could have wanted. Driving on long trips is perfect, good/bad weather makes no difference. Unflappable road manners. Hauls everything I want to carry and has more than adequate power. Fun to drive and does well whether its Manhattan traffic or cruising the turnpike. Added an iSimple Media Gateway to the excellent standard stock radio, allows iPod use via the steering wheel audio controls. iPod output is CD quality. I couldnt have asked for more in a vehicle.

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  love this car!!! - 2007 Hyundai Tiburon
  By h - February 17 - 11:36 am

  Of the cars that I have owned, this is my favorite! Its so much fun to drive, and great if you have to commute a lot because its so easy to zip in and out of traffic. A great looking car too. I have never had any problems with it. Its fast and a smooth ride. Recommended!!

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  2002 Santa Fe Review - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rebecca morehead - February 16 - 11:33 pm

  I have driven my Santa Fe since September 2002 and, without any hesitancy, purchase another Santa Fe. Its maneuverability in town traffic and over the road is outstanding. Im been proud to recommend it to others.

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  BEST CAR EVER! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By Lizz - February 16 - 4:06 pm

  I love this car. We came to the dealership just for a test drive and immediatly fell in love, we just had to buy it. I mean it felt oh so comfortable, was safe and everything we wanted and more.I think the car is meant more for a family of 4 though, because there isnt a middle head rest.At the dealership we were at we traded in a car and they gave us big bucks more than what is said for excellent. They wernt too pushy either like most other dealerships weve been to. I reccomend this car to families who love spacious feelings, having a smooth ride, like getting a good deal on a car, like to have fun while driving it and pretty much everyone!I love it so much!

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  Great car Low price - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Joel - February 16 - 12:36 pm

  I have only owned this car two days and have driven a little over 600 miles. It is not only fun to drive, but very comfortable. I had no idea Hyundai had improved their cars this much. I have a Cadillac Seville in the garage and this car is on a comparable level as the Caddy and at a fraction of the price.