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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  Perfect for Me - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By Sam - September 26 - 3:10 pm

  When I started looking for my 3rd car in two years, I was definitely really picky, and I happened to test drive, a 2001 xg300 and I was in love, then I kept my search strong I knew that the xg is what I had to have. Finally I found my xg350 is great shape, and bought the car of my dreams

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  I drive a lot... - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By JROD - September 25 - 8:59 am

  Got this car a couple of months ago. I was impressed by the price and all the warranties that it came with. I traded in my Acura CL for it. And I am saving tons of gas now. I should have bought a Hyundai instead of the Acura 5 years ago. I probably would have been done paying on it and for sure my warranty would still be in effect. My wife, was not sure on Hyundais, but after test driving it, she fell in love with it. My suggestion, is to test drive one before you buy any other car. I kinda like the Santa Fe, as well....

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  I love my 2003 Hyundai Santa FE GLS 2.7 liter - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By suvmama - September 25 - 7:49 am

  I bought my 2003 Santa FE brand new. I now have 175000 miles on it. I have had its maintenance done regularly which has included the timing and serpentine belt twice, replaced the battery once, 2 sets of front brake pads, 1 set of rear brakes pads, and replaced one set of tires. This has been absolutely worth the money I have spent for the car. Some of the problems that other reviewers have posted are not problems but regular maintenance items. Everything thing wears out people and may need to be replaced! Some of the fuel economy issues can also be attributed to poor fuel quality. If you put crap gas in your car it will cause problems first with poor mpgs then eventually emission issues.

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  An amazing SUV - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kevin Barth - September 24 - 5:40 pm

  Just purchased a 2007 Santa Fe Limited AWD. The car is amazing. The redesign makes this SUV best in class. Looks and performs like a luxury SUV for thousands less!

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  Great car for my daughter - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ed Lee - September 24 - 5:01 pm

  Purchased car for my daughter with 61,000 miles. Car now has 138,00 miles and going strong. Car is dependable beyond expectations. Only routine maintenance has been done on car. Car is comfortable to drive with good acceleration for a 4 cylinder. Good gas mileage.

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  Worst mileage...EVER..any car - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By Bob Mann - September 23 - 9:02 am

  Car drives and rides comfortably. Lots of conveniences and "goodies". But with gradual increasing noises. Dealing with Hyundai is impossible and mileage is bad beyond description. My truck Toyota 4 runner gets 5 miles more to the gallon of gas and Hyundai say mine (entourage) is behaving as designed.... Wow

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  so far, so good! - 2007 Hyundai Sonata
  By kkdog - September 22 - 11:13 pm

  Ive had this car for almost a year, and over 18,000 miles later, no significant problems to report. For the money, its been a good investment - secure handling, decent factory sound system, airbags everywhere, comfortable ride. Minor annoyances include a drivers side seat that "rocks", it never really feels like its locked completely in place. The wheel covers are CHEAP and easily scraped all to pieces (or maybe Im just abusive and used to alloys?). Gas mileage isnt as great as Id hoped (mid-20s). Just this morning I heard a squeal under the hood - will be going to the dealer to have that checked. Lastly, the check seatbelt alarm could cause incurable insanity. Worth a 2nd look!

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dee - September 22 - 10:13 pm

  I got more for my money than someone buying the Honda CRV. Mine came with a V6, CRV does not, mine is 540 lbs heavier than the CRV which gives it a better ride. Mine has a 3.5 L engine, CRV is about a 2.4 L engine. Plus I got the roof racks (side rails) included. CRV its an extra. I drove a new CRV and I like the feel of Santa FE much better. An all around sturdier car than the CRV, in my opinion.

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  My Elantra - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jims5467 - September 22 - 4:04 pm

  Enjoy driving my elantra whether its on the interstate or in town. More than peppy, throaty sound due to my interstate driving, good handling and braking. Without a/c get over 35 mpg on interstate doing at least the speed limit of 70, combo averages 29-33 mpg with a/c on interstate drops to 33 in town drops to around 25-29 mpg. Love my sunroof, cd sound could be a little better but overall best buy have ever made with the exception of my 69 boss302.

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  Great car - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dave - September 22 - 1:13 pm

  I have really enjoyed owning my Santa Fe. It combines the ease of driving of a car with the roominess and storage of an SUV. I cant say too much bad about it and I would definitely buy another.