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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  Super Value - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Super Value - May 31 - 2:00 am

  I checked many cars, and Santa Fe felt better than any of them for less money. I had a difficult time getting over the name "Hyundai", but I am glad I did. I saved myself a lot of money and I have a great car!!!! More I drive this car more I like it. I still get stunned every time I turn how tight the turning radius is. I just added the "premium package" and enjoy my moon roof on "top" of everything else this car has. Its a great crossover SUV that drives like a luxury car but has plenty of storage and power of the SUV.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Hyundai Sonata
  By Mark James - May 30 - 8:53 pm

  I purchased this car new and now have 104,000 miles on it. I have all the recommended services performed and have had NO problems at all. Very reliable and comfortable. After 4 years, I still enjoy driving this vehicle. I would recommend Hyundai to anyone wanting a lot of car for a lot less money than competitors.

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  Excellent upgrade over previous model - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By twhouston - May 30 - 6:33 pm

  I traded in a 2010 Santa Fe Limited FWD which was fully loaded for the 2013 GLS AWD. The car is a serious upgrade in every way. The external styling is much improved. The internal styling is also lovely, with much improved materials, backup camera and navigation system. The biggest improvement is in the overall ride and quietness. The previous model was quite noisy and you felt every imperfection in the road. This model is as quiet as a luxury sedan and goes over bumps very smoothly. Also, the previous model exhibited serious understeer when accelerating. This one does not, probably due to the AWD. So far, Im getting better than advertised gas mileage.

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  A shadow in the night - 2009 Hyundai Azera
  By HTEXAS70 - May 30 - 3:30 pm

  Have you ever been outside on a hot July summer night. The street is warm, and the wind is at a stand-still. Then all of the sudden a car whisp by and you dont even see it. That is what happpens when the new Hyundai azera comes through. People dont know what happened. The design is one of a kind. It has a 3.8 liter, or 3.3 liter. Enough hps to throw your head back. The leather is smooth. Really if it had a Honda or Toyota tag, the dealership could not get enough models in stock. So I recommend this car. You shoul go drive drive.

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  Good choice among SM SUV - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JT - May 30 - 11:03 am

  Generally, I like my 2005 Santa Fe. I drive in city mostly, so, it has enough power for me. Not so good when going uphill. If I could choose again, Id buy the 3.5L instead. Good sound quality. Excellent steering, suspension and smooth ride for normal driving. Big trunk space. Beware of dealers overcharging on fees other than the car price.

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  Quality of Interior Trim and Low Gas Mil - 2007 Hyundai Entourage
  By beverly smith - May 29 - 9:29 pm

  The imitation leather trim is starting to split. The van squeaks, makes strange noise when air conditioner not on, and the gas mileage is terrible. Door opens intermittently after closing. Dealer could find nothing wrong with any of these complaints. Will never again purchase new model of any car/van. Door closed on my grandsons finger. Limited driver and front passenger storage space. Third row seat cramped. It is very inconvenient to have to place car in park to open rear doors. When DVD player is open, it greatly limits drivers rear view visibility. Van drives nicely. I trusted Hyundai name but will wait in the future for them to remove all of the bugs before buying a new model.

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  Great all around car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Lenora - May 29 - 4:26 pm

  This car is very fuel efficient, is extremely dependable, and comfortable to drive and ride in. I havent had to have any work done to it - only scheduled oil changes, etc.

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  Not Happy - 2006 Hyundai Sonata
  By very unhappy - May 29 - 9:49 am

  Thrilled to buy my first new car ever! Love the ride, never have achieved the 30 MPG on the sticker, closest is 27 MPG when the wind is at my back going 55. Climate control replaced in first month, armrest and window assembly in second month. Now it has rust spots on it which the dealership is calling industrial fallout. I pointed out that I have lived and worked in the same rural location for 22 years and have never had this happen to any other vehicle I have owned. They dont care. I have also had to replace burned out headlights 6 times. Wish I had stuck with buying used GMs. Now I am stuck with my nightmare "dream car". Good mind to drive about with a big lemon stuck on it.

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  CUV sport 1.6 L turbo....very nice - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Thetruth - May 29 - 4:44 am

  This car is based on my latest two purchases...I had a 2013 dodge nitro and and a 2014 mazda cx5...the hyundai tucson sport is the most fun to ride and most fuel efficient combined of the three. Its seems wider and longer than the Mazda cx5....and looks more sporty and feels more rugged yet quiet....its a sexy car. I have no regrets other than pushing more for the ultimate limited package...which I will go for next time.

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  my new santa fe - 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Anita Corrado - May 29 - 12:40 am

  I am very impressed with my new Santa Fe The gas mileage for a 6cyl, 3.5 engine is 22-24 mpg (fwd). The car has plenty of power and handles very well in the mountains. You can make a u turn in no space at all. The vehicle comes with everything you need without being nickel and dimed to death.