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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  Santa Fe Sport is a Delight to Drive - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By susie7007 - September 21 - 5:09 am

  My Santa Fe Sport is my first crossover vehicle and is a blast to drive. For the first time, Im sitting up higher and I have greater road visibility. I test drove several other small SUVs, but the Sport had the smoothest ride and was the most comfortable.

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  a superior car - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By Russ - September 21 - 4:30 am

  an excellent car. traded in a 2004 Pontiac GTP for it. is superior in most respects to Pontiac esoecially in comfort

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  Our First Hyundai - 2010 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Dubis - September 21 - 1:43 am

  We have owned the Veracruz for about 1 month. However, in that month we have traveled to many a soccer tournament. The ride, interior space, comfort and amenities in our Limited are a pleasant experience. The value for money in this vehicle is EXCELLENT. We drove 5 of the competitors and also own a Highlander Limited. This vehicle is every bit as well appointed and quality manufactured as our Toyota but with a better warranty. The mpg is slightly better than advertised. 24-25 on the highway, 18-19 in town.

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  Bought and did not plan on purchasing new vehicle - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Texas31 - September 20 - 9:26 pm

  I had a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe with only 24,000 miles on it. I took my mother shopping for a new crossover SUV that had to have AWD. We looked at Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forrester and Outback, Ford Escape, and Chevrolet Equinox. For the price, design, comfort and technology features the Hyundai Tucson beat them all. I drove the vehicle and was so impressed with it that I traded in my Santa Fe for the Tucson Sport trim level. My mother bought the ECO trim level. The only issue I have had is that the exterior lights that are to light the front door handle areas when approaching the vehicle with the key fob on me do not work. Hyundai is aware of this issue and they state that they are working to correct it. The 1.6T turbo engine has plenty of power. Sport mode gets the vehicle on the highway fast and passing other vehicles is quick. I drive mostly in ECO mode and get about 24mpg city and 32mpg highway. One note as it pertains to interior/exterior colors: We both wanted the beige interior, yet it only comes in 4 of the exterior colors. My mother wanted the Caribbean blue exterior, yet the interior only came in a black interior. We both bought Tucsons with the Ruby Wine exterior. I wanted leather interior, yet it only comes in the Tucsons Limited trim level. For what the price is for the Limited trim level, it is almost priced like a similar trim level on a Santa Fe (I.E. The Tucson Limited is overpriced.)

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  If you like the feel of a VW, buy this - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Difficult to please - September 20 - 3:31 pm

  1,500 miles into ownership and one 1,000 mile trip later, Im impressed. Feels like my wifes Passat (seating and steering). Feels big on the inside. Steering is wonderful -- full feel at speed and the ability to turn with a pinkey in a parking lot. Standard features blow the competition away on a $ to $ comparison. I wanted a Jetta but wouldnt pay for features I didnt want to get what I wanted. The Elantra SE had all that I wanted at a great price. This car has exceeded expectations.

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  Great Ride with Azera - 2006 Hyundai Azera
  By CJ - September 20 - 2:23 am

  I have Azrea for 5 months now. It rides so good. Just give it a test drive. you will feel what I meant. It is very very silent even over 80 MPH and has horse power for gallop. Room is very large and spacious. if you lease it and buy it after the lease, you can lock monthly pay around $300.

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  Great First Car - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By ksjones - September 19 - 12:00 pm

  We purchased this car for our 15 year old daughter. Since she is a beginning driver, we wanted something that’s safe, easy to drive, with all the bells and whistles for under $20k. We’re impressed with the handling, gas mileage, interior features and space, and warranty. However, it is a bit noisy. Overall the Elantra is a great value for the money.

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  From Volvo to Hyundai - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By nicky - September 19 - 3:33 am

  Used to drive volvo for the last 10 years I would say this car is fantastic. Good fuel economy, handling and visibility (no blind spot on this car) are excellent, kind of wondering why I didnt try them before or where they as good before? Anyway on dont regret my choice!

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  2nd great Genesis - 2016 Hyundai Genesis
  By Mark J Rubin - September 18 - 2:23 pm

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  loved my sonata :) - 2001 Hyundai Sonata
  By misslyssa85 - September 18 - 11:21 am

  Until someone smashed into mine last week :-( I loved my Sonata. I just got it back in February. I would definitely recommend it to others. Never had any problems (I know I only had it a short time). Basic maintenance. I loved having the V6 engine, it handled well, good brakes, very comfortable. The only thing I didnt like was the cupholders. They were in an awkward place. But overall, I miss my car and want another one just like it!!