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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  Too big for just me - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Linda Richards - February 16 - 11:49 am

  My car drives great. Easy to park.Sits up higher than a car,so visibility is great. The back seat has a stow away Childs seat. Its just me now that my husband passed away and the kids are all grown up. So I want to down size.

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  Great car! - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Indiana BOB - February 16 - 8:00 am

  Purchased for size, economy, manual option and warranty. I have drive Subarus for 30 years but the Legacy is much smaller,and has poorer mileage (due to AWD). I have 6k in mileage; On recent trip to Kentucky I got 32.5MPG going around 70- 75mph. The only complaints I have are the manual trans is not as positive is shifting compared to Subaus I have owned and also Honda Accouds/Civics and Mazadas I have driven which are owned by family members. (Even my 86 year old mother drives a Civic with a stick shift!)Hope the trans gets smoother as it breaks in; MPG has increased. Another strange issue is that when back windows are down at highway speed that there is a loud wind noise.

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  18,000 mile review - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brian - February 15 - 11:24 pm

  This is a follow up with my earlier post on my initial purchase. I have now logged 18,000 miles after 1 year and 2 months. I have not had any mechanical problems and I have not had any part on this car break on me. I am getting a solid 25-27 mpg in city and 33-36 mpg on the highway. I have installed various after market devices and still have not had any electrical problems. Although the car can use an extra 20-30 hp for passing, but still acceleration is adequate. Air conditioning gets the job done, even during 100 degree summer temps. After driving this car for over a year I would recommend this car for people that want a car that is good on gas, comfortable and great for a commuter.

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  Great Car - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By tom - February 15 - 9:46 am

  We picked up the car and in Tempe, AZ and drove to Coursegold, Calif. It was a great trip. The car was comfortable to drive and we averaged 37 MPH. The trip was only 1700 miles but so far we loved the car. Lots of room inside, looks great inside and out. Loved the XM Radio, 50s & 60s music all the way. Will write more as we get mores miles. We believe we will continue to love the car.

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  Sonata Beats The Competition - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By psr - February 15 - 5:00 am

  Bought the Sinat LX V6 and find that it defintely beats the Accord and Camry on all fronts. It offers a comfortable ride, plenty of room in front and back and plenty of horsepower. Accelerates very well and rides smoothly. ABS brakes are tops and Stability Traction Control helps on bad roads. Trunk is enormous and the 100K mile warranty is tops in this category. The leather seats are comfortable and good visibility from all windows. The CD player works flawlessly and the heated seats are wonderful. Best of all, people have stopped to ask me about the Sonata because its styling and apppearance. That never happend with my Accord.

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  Great features with a small price - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Larry - February 14 - 1:26 pm

  It really hugs the road. The aircon is great for those that like it very cold. The full size spare tire is great. The stock CD/tape/radio sounds great for a factory unit. The leather seats are comfortable.

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  Perfect SUV - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Petras - February 13 - 12:16 pm

  Bought 2007 SF SE with no option packages. Priced as a family sedan, this amazing SUV (or CUV, call it whatever you want) performs as a high-priced Lexus! Fuel economy is OK, not great but cmon, this is sport utility with 3.3L engine. Dont expect to get 28-30 miles per gallon because its not a economy car. Just buy it and enjoy it!!

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  FABULOUS! - 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By William - February 13 - 5:58 am

  big but not too big, fabulous acceleration, great price,

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  What a surprise!! - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By wamba - February 11 - 3:23 pm

  We decided to purchase a new car for my wife. We looked at several vehicles, and ingress/egress is imporant because she has neck problems/pain. We stopped at a Mazda dealer to look at the 6 and the dealer sold Hyundais as well. WE looked at the Sonata (pretty nice for the $) and then the Azera....Wow! Im 66" and we have two teens that are over 6 as well. The comfort was great, lots of leg room and head room in back, the interior appointments are good quality. Took the car for a ride, performance is more than adequate and the ride is smooth and quiet. Long-term experience will tell, but at first impression, Hyundai has made phenomenal strides.

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  What a lovely car!!. Great MPG - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By citizencane - February 11 - 2:40 am

  I have never considered buying a Hyundai before. However, 2011 Sonata really changed my attitude toward this car company. Everything is perfect for a midise family sedan. Especially, mps is very impressive. I could get almost 30 MPG during ordinary drive(50/50). Very satisfying