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:

• 

  my 2004 sonata lx - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By tthompson40 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  this was the first vehicle I have ever purchased. I was impressed with: 1. the warranty 2. the value of the sonata 3. the overall look of the vehicle I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a "smart" car; a car that is a good value and has a little luxury.

• 

  2004 Santa Fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tomasi - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Drives well, has sufficient power for moderate hills (2.7 ltr). OK fuel economy (23.5 mpg at 75 mph on 8 hr trip), but expected somewhat better. Plently of cargo space for two, but would be pressed for bagage space for 2 adults and 2 kids. Excellent front windshield view. Seams to be well built and solid.

• 

  Nice Car - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Deedeepgh - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Nice car with excellent value for the dollar. It is plenty powerful with the big 6 cylinder and has loads of thoughtful touchs to the interior.

• 

  santa fe 2004 - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By airblast - December 3 - 2:00 am

  its great ,and excellent

• 

  Good little twruck - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gooberjam - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I like this suv more than any I have owned. It has features I liked at a reasonable price.

• 

  santa fe - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By csd44 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Great Car, Fun to drive, the best value on the market, look at the warrenty, you be a fool now to have this warrenty on any car you buy.

• 

  Surprise! - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Rick - December 2 - 10:40 pm

  Just a refined as the Japanese cars I have owned. Driven past Hyundais and while they were value oriented, they werent class leading competitive like this Sonata. Hyundai has caught up to Toyota and Honda.

• 

  The Best Car Ever - 2001 Hyundai Accent
  By Valerie - December 2 - 10:20 am

  I came from a Mercedes to a Hyundai. My car had 6 miles when I purchased it. It now has 228,000+ and I have EVERY original engine part. Only changed the timing belt and brakes and did my oil change every 3000 miles. My car has NEVER broken down on me or ran out of gas. She has been 100% reliable to me! My tranny just went and YES....I am putting a new one in. I know the car and trust it. Its worth it to me. So if anyone is thinking about getting one....just make sure you change your oil ON time EVERY time its suppose to get changed. I love my Hyundai Accent and when I decide to get another it will be the Hyundai Azera.

• 

  Great SUV - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bill C. - December 2 - 9:30 am

  Very satisfied with the Santa Fe. I was sold when I test drove it. Our 1st Suv and no complaints so far.

• 

  Great little car - 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
  By Glenn Goforth - December 2 - 8:06 am

  Love it. handles like a race car. and looks very sporty