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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  Chirp has always served me well! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By catt33 - January 16 - 6:18 pm

  Yes, I named my Santa Fe "Chirp". It has been a great vehicle. I bought it used in 06 and until this year, only needed routine maintenance (Crank Shaft Sensor went out in March). I just rolled over to 90,000 miles last week and I am looking forward to many more miles with Chirp!

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  Bought used last year, 2013 - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By lg22150 - January 15 - 7:37 pm

  I bought this car used last year as a trade with my mini van. When they first pulled it up I was like, um nope. My husband made me test drive and I fell in love. Mine is brown and black, and this thing is awesome. It is by far the best car I have ever owned. Even the first Hyundai I had, swore never to get another. The gas mileage is great. Put $20 in a beginning of work week and no more until Friday or Saturday. Gets me where I need to go.

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  A really nice vehicle - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jamaicajoe - January 15 - 11:07 am

  Had this vehicle for a year now, and I really like it. Mileage could be a little better, and one annoyance is that it does not have an outside-temperature gauge. Very nice ride, particularly on the highway, lots of usable interior room, and it handles well. Brake feel is a little soft. Did have a problem with the splines on the intermediate shaft to the transmission shearing at 20,000 km, but was fixed under warranty. Our dealer treated us well, and we have since leased a 2011 Elantra from them.

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  Dependable - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By CaseyJPS - January 11 - 2:58 am

  Ive had this car 2.5 years and it has been as reliable as my Miata. Warranty work has included a new battery, drivers side visor clip, and mirror covers on visors (I live in the desert and the car sits outside in very hot weather, so the interior plastics are very challenged on this car.) Replaced original tires around 20,000 miles. Gas mileage averages 22-23, and has topped-out at 33mpg (at a constant 75- 85 mph). I am convinced this car will last forever. The build quality, fit and finish is excellent (the "trunk" area could use a bit more attention however).

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  So far, So Good! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By vincee - January 10 - 10:23 am

  Just picked up my 07 SF Limited 5/31. Just about 600 miles. The interior design is what won me over and rave reviews from all that has seen it. At 59 the headroom is fine for me. Alot of vehicle for the money compared to Ford Edge, Mazada CX7, and Murano and way better style size and interior standard features than RAV4 (which my wife drives a 07 bought in Feb. 07) and CRV. SF has a firm positive ride feel to it. Seems like a much larger and heavier vehicle when driving but being very responsive and sure footed. The power isnt the best in class, but it will get out of its way very easily and smoothly. Unbelievable quiet ride. To sum up, so far very pleased and happy.

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  New Navigation System - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By Bob - January 9 - 6:26 pm

  Although the newly released 2009 Sonata offers a new navigational system with nice features, it may have been released prematurely. Typically I drive approximately 42,000 miles annually along the east coast. I rely heavily on construction and accident location information. The navigation system offers a detour selection allowing you to plan a detour at various distances. After several days with no answers from the dealership or Hyundai Corporation, and many hours on the phone doing refreshes to the XM NAVTraffic downloads, the answer that finally arrived was that Hyundai did not release the NAVTraffic capability in the 2009 model. Release is expected sometime next year. What a bummer!

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  Overall a good small/midsize SUV - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kwacha - January 8 - 8:35 pm

  Its really my wifes SUV although Ive driven it more than she has on three trips. The first trip was 1200 miles and the second was over 1400 miles with a shorter trip of 800. The Santa Fe Sport is very tight and its snow white appearance/color makes it very attractive with itÂ’s the beautiful 17 in. mag style wheels. Also, itÂ’s really not that small and the exterior and interior are both well designed. The Nav is great except for the stupid step of having to agree to safety rules every single time you get in the vehicle. Like that is going to make you drive more safely or something. Also the Radio/Stereo is also very good. Interior coverings and amenities are of high quality.

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  Great value, great styling - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By DoctorPhil - January 5 - 9:36 pm

  Very nice car with a lot of standard features. Huge trunk for golf clubs. I especially like the center console and how it doesnt restrict my right knee as I am 6-2". This car is well crafted although there are some annoyances. Even with Mercedes, you dont approach perfection until you cross the 50K mark. Strong engine. Lack of little issues like mysterious rattles and squeaks, etc. Also, there are not 10 of them next to you at the stop light!

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  great car! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By VP - January 5 - 2:22 pm

  This is an excellent car for all around driving... does well on the highway and great in urban traffic situations. I originally was leaning towards getting a Civic but now love the Hyundai and urge all my friends to get one too. And getting an average of 29 miles per gallon is nice too, considering the price of gas lately.

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  Dennis Toy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Dennis B. - January 5 - 7:16 am

  I never thought I would own a foreign car. But gas prices drove me from a luxury van to a more practical sedan. I chose the Sonata over all the other foreign brands. And I couldnt be happier. It runs good with a surplus of pep. The interior fits me. I cant remember taking so much plastic off of a new car! Kudos to Hyundai!