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:

• 

  Love it for the most part - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By suvlover21 - June 4 - 9:31 pm

  I love the car for the most part, I go commute to and from school as well as work and outings with family and friends. In mixed driving the computer shows an average ranging from 24.5 to 27.0 MPG with the AWD turbo. Not sure how accurate that is given what the dealer said it should be getting HWY, plus the car always states about 330 miles until empty with a full tank. Took a 300 mile trip and only used half a tank, not complaining though. Only issue is servicing the vehicle, Hyundai service always has something else to blame. I installed HIDs and a SUB 3 months ago, 2 days ago an Engine Control System warning comes on, Hyundai blames the after market parts, says its an electrical spike.

• 

  first timer - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By jjmalez - June 4 - 10:00 am

  was unsure about hyundai at first... being a long time mitsubishi guy. the price and rebates attracted me. im pleasently suprised so far. lots of car for the money and a great warranty.

• 

  Probably the BEST SUV out there - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By GLENNMARIVIC - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Price, features, warranty, style, comfort, what more could you ask for? The Santa Fe has got to be one of the top SUVs out there in its price range and way above its price range. Our local Hyundai dealer (OBrian)has been awesome. We are happy Hyundai owners.

• 

  Nothing but problems - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tessa - June 3 - 1:30 pm

  We have had our 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe for seven years. In that time it has been a very costly car to maintain. Within the first two years we had two major fuel issues, the leather interior started to peel away in areas, a battery that didnt even make the 2 years before dying suddenly and tires that were done long before the warranty. The amount that we would have gotten on the pro-rate for the battery and tires was so minimal that we went outside of Hyundai to replace and got better warranties with longer life. Within the past year we had a low fuel sensor issue that I have come to learn is not uncommon for Hyundai products and a high ticket repair (over $800). Now its the rack and pinion steering (over $1400). Im sure that some owners are fortunate and dont have the lemon issues that we have had. We have a Honda that is 14 years old have never had these issues. Having to deal with so many issues I know that I will never purchase another Hyundai automobile. Considering the price that we paid for it, one would think that the quality would be better.

• 

  Wonderful SUV, cant do better - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By myhook - June 3 - 1:20 pm

  We test drove a lot of small, mid SUVs. Had a Jeep Liberty nearly blow up on the road from a gas leak, loved the RAV-4 and CR-V. Finally went to Vermont to see the Santa Fe; wow this car beat all the others on the first drive. Has everything you want, front wheel drive, with all wheel drive sending power to rear wheels when needed, V6 to tow our boat, great styling and interior, KILLER stereo, THIS VEHICLE ROCKS. It has the best feature Ive ever seen on an SUV, a shiftronic system to allow down or upshifting at any time (such as on a hill pulling a boat). Bought the car on the first test drive and Ive never bought before without at least two trip to the dealer to haggle over price.

• 

  Great fuel, great warranty - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Sonata Lover - June 3 - 6:37 am

  I was looking for an inexpensive car that would take a beating. I own a farm on a dirt road but drive a distance on expressways to get there. My Sonata gets great mileage, especially around 60 MPH. The few minor problems I have had have been fixed for free and without a long wait. Exactly what I was looking for from a warranty.

• 

  Great bang for the buck - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By eberky - June 2 - 4:43 pm

  We purchased this car for my wife - who wanted a new car, but really only cared about looks. She really wanted the Lexus, but was out of our price range. Since our purchase, she is unbelievably happy. For that matter, so am I. The car drives great, handles decent, has a GREAT turning radius, with an easy to learn interior. I just hope the long-term owning experience is as pleasureable as the immediate. We opted not to get the sunroof - it seemed like it added substantial cabin noise while test driving.

• 

  Elantra - an excellent compact car option. - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Larry Wickstrom - June 2 - 1:34 pm

  Sits too low to the ground for easy entry and exit for older people. Auto door locking feature can be an irritation. Overall, a very reliable, efficient and economical car to own.

• 

  Not Bad at all - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Elizabeth - June 2 - 9:53 am

  As a newly licensed teen with not a lot of money I needed something reliable and safe. But at the same time I couldnt afford a big SUV with high gas-mileage or a newer car. Also, I wanted something cute, but most older cars look blocky and ugly. I got it all in my trusty 2000 Elantra for a low price. I just love my car and my parents actually like it too, so win- win. Ive had it since July and havent had any problems except I had to have the spark plugs and wiring replaced and a routine oil change. Its been a great car though.

• 

  problems with Sonata - 2003 Hyundai Sonata
  By John Franklin - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Transmission problem right off the lot Recall from corporate about the side airbags being too sensitive Horsepower misrating 181 should be 170 Missing dome light in rear roof area Hyundai says it will cost $1200-$1300 to install one... My gripe? It should have been there to begin with!