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 - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By tom b - July 4 - 1:40 pm

  Ive had the car for less then two weeks-fun to drive-more room then my lincoln in the back seat -more then enough acceleration-handels very well- good price for the quality and features-getting 17 mpg around town- but ive been a little heavy on the pedal-because it quick and fun to drive. Very glad that I purchased the car-Never thought I would own a hyundai-compared it with an avolon.

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  Very nice so far - 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JG - June 29 - 10:15 pm

  I really like the Santa Fe so far, have not owned a Hyundai before, have had Toyotas and Hondas, so thought I would give it a try. This is a nice SUV for us, not too big, not too small, so easy to park, but still hauls all of us and our stuff. I added a Curt trailer hitch myself and this was very easy to do. The Santa Fe has a lot of options for the money. I really like the surround view camera, I do use this often when parking. Good visibility. Have a few rattles from back seat and will have dealer check that for me, seems to be coming from passenger back seat. I had similar small rattles from Toyota Venza I had before, and Chevy Silverado before that - usually its a cable rubbing, or a piece of trim that needs a little shim or a small piece of felt, so we will see...Also will see how things go with more miles, I do like the long warranty From Hyundai. Other than the small rattle, this seems to be well built, very logical controls and layout of the interior.

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  Makes me car sick - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Car sick - June 29 - 9:30 pm

  I drove a 2000 Elantra wagon for the last 10yrs. I loved it so I purchased a 2010 touring. This time I got 5sp Manual GSL to save $1200 on purchase price and to get better gas mileage and performace. Paid $15000 vs $11700 ten yrs earlier. I since added Rosta after market cruise $400 and trailer hitch $100. Heated seats cost $250 each aftermarket. Whats better with my new car. Faster, Handeling, brakes,radio,headroom,gas mileage, power door locks on key fob, storage areas. Whats worse, stiff ride,jerkiness of manual shifting vs automatic,tires, no lumbar support. Both cars dent too easily. I love the rear loading area. I call it my covered pickup truck. Getting use to firm ride. Fun to drive

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  XG350L - 2004 Hyundai XG350
  By mr76dac - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Unbelievable ride. Would compare to the Lexus 300ES ride.

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  Great Value - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TXSF - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I have 3500 miles on my 2003 Santa Fe and am very pleased with it. It is an excellent value, and has very good build quality. No problems so far. The SF has a great ride, great visibility, and the engine is acceptably powerful, although not overly so. I have never needed more power than the engine delivers. The SF is also quieter than some of its Japanese competitors. Its even quieter than my 2000 Honda Accord 4 cyl.

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  Bigger and better but rides rougher - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By loveourhyundai - June 23 - 5:33 pm

  I recently purchased a used 2007 Santa Fe GLS. Im impressed by the improvements over my 2002 Santa Fe GLS, except in one area: the ride is rougher. I can feel every little bump and pothole. Im not happy with the Bridgestone Dueler HT 684II tires on this vehicle. They are noisier than the BFG Long Trails on my 2002, and ride rougher. Hyundai should have road tested the 2007 with these OEM tires on New Englands challenging road surfaces.

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  Good Value - 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring
  By Chuck - June 22 - 5:53 pm

  Bought this car in Jan 2010 to replace a 1997 Escort Wagon. Overall, Im satisfied with the value ($16k). There were a few things that took a little getting used to vs the Escort. For me, the over the left shoulder blind spot of the frame behind the driver windows is in a really bad spot. In moderate traffic I have to bob my head and look several times before I change lanes left. I highway drive usually at off hours, so I probably average 70 mph. I figure Im getting about 25 mpg vs around 30 for the Escort, but the Hyundai is heavier. The window ledge is higher, for arm hanging purposes. Steering is tight, the cars gonna go right where youre looking, so keep your eyes on the road.

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  Not a BMW - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By isismoon - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Ok, its not a BMW but if you can do without the glamour its a great choice.

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  Good car for the price - 2004 Hyundai Accent
  By Orrostieta - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Runs good alot car for the price

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  Great Car - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By Will S - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a great experience with this car.