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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  Lots of Bang for a Buck - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Don in San Jose - September 20 - 4:50 am

  Driven AWD SE for 6 month, 6000 miles. Ownership experience has been great with no problems. Before purchase, did a lot of magazine and internet research. Except for expensive luxury SUVs, test drove all small and mid-size SUVs on same road course, with mix of freeway and hilly, curvy streets and surface streets purposely with rough pavement and potholes. For drivability and comfort, narrowed choice down to Santa Fe, Nissan, Acura and Ford Edge. After negotiating price, Santa Fe blew the others away. For SUV, drives well on freeways and mountain roads. Very smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Seats are comfortable. Mileage in-town around 18; highway 19-20.

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  Best deal for the money - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By VictorK - September 20 - 12:03 am

  Im extremely happy with my Elantra. So much that Im considering getting another Hyundai. When I got it I compared it to all its competitors and the fact that A/C, power windows, power and heated mirrors and keyless entry come standard made it the best deal. Also - it comes with Michelin tires!

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  Great job but needs better packaging - 2011 Hyundai Sonata
  By RAS - September 19 - 12:46 pm

  This car is a head above its competition and has now set the bench mark. I am disappointed that the 6 speed manual is designated to the low bucks crowd. No reason for not being able to get a power sunroof and alloy wheels as a factory option on the GLS or make the 6 speed available on the SE. Other than this packaging issue Hyundai has done a great job with this car.

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  Very Impressed - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By Adam Rahman - September 18 - 4:43 pm

  This vehicle is a perfect all around car. I think now Hyundai is on the right course to be one of the best car makers in the world.

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  Love my Santa Fe - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By maggymay78 - September 18 - 11:03 am

  I like how it handles on the road, especially on the turns. It is much better on gas than my truck was. The AWD should be great for the winter.

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  My 2009 Limited Sonata V6 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata
  By QuanG - September 17 - 2:40 pm

  Well, I have only had my Sonata 3 weeks. After trading in my 2002 Altima. I am very please with the design of the car in and out. I love the amenities. For the price I got my car for I could not pass it down. The car has a very soft ride which I had read about. But not too bad. Car engine seems much better in Shiftronic mode than in normal drive mode. Cant write much at the moment since the car is still pretty much brand new.

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  New Hyundai Owner - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MJ - September 17 - 2:43 am

  I traded in my 2009 Mazda 3 for the 2010 Santa Fe a few weeks ago for the increased utility. Im a sports junkie and needed the cargo space of an SUV for all my sports equipment. I researched and/or drove the Rav4, CRV, Tucson, and several others, but fell in love with the Santa Fe when the minute I started driving it. Ive never owned a Hyundai before, but I am thoroughly impressed with their build quality, interior design, and performance. The lengthy warranty is great, as I plan to drive the Santa Fe at least 10 yrs and I put on about 17,500 miles/yr commuting to work. I especially appreciate the very comfy heated leather seats, which makes my commute a joy, along w/ the awesome stereo!

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  My Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By CSprinkle - September 16 - 3:36 am

  Really enjoy - fun to drive. Enought pep for the mountains but no V-8.

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  Great ride! - 2017 Hyundai Sonata
  By Vicky - September 16 - 12:55 am

  I just bought a 2017 Hyundai Sonata, and I love it! It has the back up camera, and the entertainment features I love. Very happy and satisfied with my purchase.

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  Great Vehicle! LOVE IT! - 2007 Hyundai Veracruz
  By Sandra Briggs - September 15 - 10:03 am

  This is the turn-around vehicle for Hyundai. Beautiful styling, features, comfort, quiet, refined ride and handling. Much nicer interior than the MDX or CX-9. Love that it takes regular fuel. The Ultimate package was worth every penny. The sound is fantastic and the stereo controls intuitive and very easy to use. Cannot say enough about this CUV! I am no longer a loyalist to the Japanese manufacturers...A Winner!