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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  Wow! Get this SUV that drives like a car - 2010 Hyundai TUCSON
  By iq195 - July 5 - 12:03 pm

  I Love, Love, Love this car. Its amazingly nimble and drives like a car. This is like driving an Acura TL, but in an SUV version and with better gas mileage!!! everything about this car is amazing. You can really see that a lot of time and effort was put into REDESIGNING the 2010 model. This car should be priced at roughly $10,000 above what it currently sells for. If your in the market for a small, luxury SUV, then I have only one advice for you.....GET IT!

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  sun roof - 2006 Hyundai TUCSON
  By abagale - July 5 - 11:46 am

  if your tuscon has a sun roof, check it out when it rains. there is a rubber drip rail around the window to catch water.Seal may leak.

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  Best Car Ever - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Gemg - July 4 - 9:43 pm

  Bought new out the door for 14K, pretty good. Ive only done routine maintenance, the car has never had a single problem. Most trouble free car Ive ever had. An unassuming simple car but a little nicer than "basic transport". Always gets 30+mpg. Even got 38mpg between Reno and Sacramento (all downhill LOL!) Commuted in Colorado going 40 miles each way from 5000ft to 8500ft elevation each time. Sub zero weather and never garaged. Someone ran a red light and hit the side from drivers door forward at 60mph - totaled it. My daughter who was driving and my son the passenger walked away with only bruises and sore muscles. Now looking for another Elantra to replace it.

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  Service - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John - July 4 - 12:23 pm

  This vehicle has been a joy to drive. I still have not Had any of the problems written about by others. I have not had any interior light problems either.  This could be because I purchased vehicle at the end of May 2007.  Earlier models in the year may not have had all of the interior map/dome lights and automatic switches installed at time of purchase.  I learned from past experience to purchase a new vehicle as late in model year as possible.  This way manufacture, would have gotten feed back on your particular model/make. For example; if you purchased your Santa Fe Limited 3.3 liter engine in september of 2006, interior lights may not have come on when doors were opened. Later on yes.

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  the perfect affordable car - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By PALADIN - July 4 - 10:00 am

  The car was afordable (just over $15,000) and is a LOT of car for the money. Other than changing the oil and filters, no maintainence has been needed or required. I have used the car on several multi-state trips with my wife and two teenage daughters and the trips have been comfortable and fun. A great car.

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  No Such Thing As A Perfect Vehicle, But ... - 2012 Hyundai Sonata
  By jewopaho - July 4 - 9:40 am

  ... this one really comes close. My preference is mid-sized cars with high-end trim levels ... Camry XLE, Accord EX-L, etc. This is my first Sonata Limited, but not my last. It compares very favorably with its Nissan, Toyota and Honda counterparts ... theyre all great vehicles, and given that I dont buy new cars, availability is limited. This one is exactly what Id have purchased new ... and with only 11k miles (and at $10k less), its close enough! The ride is smooth, power (both cruising and takeoff) is more than adequate, gas mileage (overall about 26 mpg) is fine, and the creature comforts far exceed the competition. Hyundai is now a major player in the mid-size market!

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  Not Bad on Winding roads - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By vito9999 - July 4 - 7:03 am

  Comute 50 miles to wrok in my Azera, was a little scpetical about upgrading from a Sonata. I do not miss the Sonata. The Azera drives better and has more acceleration than my old 79 Z-28. Yes I am that old. Even better I work for Toyota and buy Hyndai.

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  2007 Limited - 2007 Hyundai Azera
  By Labrat - July 3 - 3:09 pm

  Now have over 12000 miles with no problems or complaints. Completed a 5000 mile trip in May and averaged 26.5 mpg using air 90% of the time and highway speeds around 80mph. Ran up to 500 miles some days and never felt fatigued. Great passenger comforts and enough luggage space. A wonderful auto for the money. Beats my previous Caddy.

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  Genesis V6 with Tech - 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  By bill2006 - July 3 - 2:06 pm

  I have had my car 3 days. What a wonderful car. White Satin Pearl with Beige leather interior.This car is a beauty with great technology. Form and function at the highest level. Cant comment on mileage or reliability as it only 3 days old. Im still going thru the manuals(they are excellent).

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  STAY AWAY! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Harkins - July 2 - 10:33 pm

  My first "new" car & I have had nothing but issues. I bought it used with 15k. I have had it less than 3 years now & have had to replace the tires 4 times & have to get an alignment every 4 months...I only do hwy driving! My catalytic converters just went out at $1300 a piece & I only have 60k on the car....thank god for the federal law that is making them replace it. I always have issues with the sensors, car doesnt start in the cold & nuts & bolts seem to always fall off of it. I am on my way to pick up my car from the shop (97 miles away) & am going to trade it in on something that is NOT a HYUNDAI!