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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  We love our Santa Fe - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By luvrsantafe - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been a GREAT SUV. With AWD, ABS and traction control it is extremely difficult to lose control in snow/ice. We had no trouble getting to/from work this winter in 1+ foot of snow - no need for chains at all. Unique styling makes it stand out from the competition. Lots of creature comforts standard - cant believe we went this long without keyless entry - now cant see having another vehicle without it. Great handling, comfortable driving and riding.

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  Great get around vehicle - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By LynS - January 15 - 2:00 am

  If your driving around town or on short excursions, it is a great vehicle to own. Drives and handles very well, good gas mileage for an SUV, has a lot of cargo room. Was hit by another car from behind and it felt like I rolled over a little speed bump -- good quality construction.

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  Sonata 101 - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sister1021 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Sonata since October and drive approximately 100 miles per day. I have found two problems with this car both minor but worth mentioning. When making a sharp left hand turn if you knee or hand touches the drivers door the bell which indicates an open door sounds no matter how firmly the door is closed. The second problem is the washer fluid for the windshield doesnt squart up high enough on the windshield - as a matter of fact it just hits the bottom of the windshield. Other than these two minor problems I love my Sonata I find it as comfortable as some high prices sadans and I didnt pay high dollars for it.

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  great car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By clive svendsen - January 15 - 2:00 am

  better than a honda civic EX by far

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  Excellent Buy For The Money - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mindinversion - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I *love* this vehicle! 3.5L engine is an absolute BEAST on the road, and I havent had a single REAL problem with the car yet. Everything is modular inside, easy to work on and easy to find. I love the styling as well, though some seem to think its "too aggressive". Then they go back to driving their Neons and Cavaliers. Well worth EVERY PENNY *AS LONG AS YOU PLAN TO DRIVE IT FOREVER* (Resale value doesnt hold as well on these)

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  Love mine! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mommy2zoe - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is an afforadble car that is so worth the money! Its roomy and comfortable and fun to drive!

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  great car - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By shash41 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I love my suv it is nice looking and runs like a charm

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  So far so good!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John Wolfe - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My lovely wife and I have just recently invested in a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. Its been almost a month now, and I havent heard a peep from her regarding our current conveyance issues. While considering what Ive endurred in the last year and a half; what with her constantly wearing her elbow out on my ribs and also putting unnecessary mileage upon my backside via her sneaker; I MUST SAY THAT... I AM PLEASED. Thanks for providing me an opportunity to vent my appreciation!! John Wolfe Orlando, Florida

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  2007 Hyundai Sonata Review - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By fff - January 14 - 6:32 pm

  Solid car. Up until 2005 Hyundais were a joke (I had a Sonata that cost me 200 a month in repairs)--and then the company got serious: night and day. Now its the poor mans Toyota. Get these cars because the company is soon going to realize that they are like Toyota. Last great value in a car.

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  Great Small SUV / Crossover - 2011 Hyundai TUCSON
  By realcsi - January 14 - 1:02 pm

  I have approx. 43,000 miles on my 2011 Hyundai Tucson Limited with auto geartronic trans. It has the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. I average 22 MPG combo driving, city/highway. No engine or transmission problems. Its a great small versatile suv/crossover vehicle for those that dont constantly haul large loads, carry five passengers, or tow. The built-in navigational system/stereo is great.