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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  TIBORON-PROBLEM NEW CAR???? - 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
  By MARY BENNETT - July 22 - 10:00 am

  CAR HAS 3000 MILES AT THIS TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AT LEAST THE PAST 900 MILES, OXYGEN SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE/WRONG SENSOR. STILL GETS 40+ MILES PER GALLON, DOESNT SEEM TO EFFECT CAR PERFORMANCE. DEALER IS GREAT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

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  100000 + - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By nazu - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Being a single female that travels for a living I bought my sanya fa in 2001, it has proven to be the most dependable vechicle Ive ever owned.I now have 109999 miles on it with only routine maintance. very user friendly and comfortable.looking forward to the next 100000.

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  4 Cyl Santa Fe - 90 day Review - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bft_Mike - July 22 - 9:16 am

  We purchased a 4 cyl. FWD Santa Fe Ltd in late March and waited to drive it awhile before posting a review. We were looking for a mid-sized SUV to drive north each summer with kayaks and bikes. The SF had more room and comfort than the CR-V or RAV-4 for about the same price. This is our first Hyundai. This Santa Fe model is a very comfortable car with adequate acceleration but does require the driver to plan ahead a bit when passing or pulling out into traffic. Mileage in small town/rural driving has been in the mid-20s so far. We are still concerned about what we have heard are owner experiences with the warranty - but so far we are very pleased with our purchase.

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  My honest opinion - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jose Santiago - July 21 - 10:53 pm

  Good sturdy vechicle. It is slow to accelerate but when it catches up it will blow you away.

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  Great Car, Great Dealership - 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  By Maxx V. - July 21 - 10:52 pm

  I bought my car brand new with only delivery miles on it. I test drove an Automatic Ultimate 3.8 and "Blind Bought" my R-spec. There were a couple minor factory defects with this car, but between Lisa Adamsons diligent response time to schedule repairs, and Micah Lawleys great Salesman support, Superior Hyundai in Anniston Alabama had me back on the road in no time. since then I have had no issues with my car and the maintenance team is super cooperative. Here are a couple things to be aware of though: 1) the traction control is very intrusive. 2) this car is not made for long trips to a vacation spot. its a ready to run racecar (to a degree) 3) this car is the best bang for your buck considering the amenities from the dealership and the manufacturer. 4) the transmission takes some getting use to (if you drive it hard, you WILL eventually grind a gear. thank you shift lock out!) Overall great purchase and very satisfying on an open road.

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  Went from always having a car to the Tuscon Sport - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Debra Miller - July 21 - 12:06 pm

  Okay, so I never had an SUV before and never planned on it, but when my lease was expiring on my Sonata it was time to look. The Tuscon Sport looked so great and sporty I had to give it a try. The heated seats and the way the seat hugs you is so comfortable! I tried the Sante Fe, but the Tuscon seat comfort was much better to me. The ride is quiet and pretty smooth considering I live where there arent very great kept streets. I drive mostly in ECO mode and have turned it off and noticed the huge difference in power, I have also played with the manual shift and might experience some more as I can drive a manual. Brakes work great and I love the back up camera and was surprised when it warned me a car was coming up the street and not to mention I love the lane change indicator for the blind spots. So now Ill never go back to a car again... And I love Hyundai as their warranty is to die for....I have owned a 2003 Elantra, then the 2012 Sonata, but the Tuscon by far the best. I didnt even bother looking at other SUVs, Im glad I read the other reviews about the other SUVs out there..confirmed to me I did not make a mistake in buying my Tuscon. My SUV gets great compliments...1) mailman was like wow that has a really great trim line, 2) dealership the person installing my remote start said what a beautiful vehicle, 3) my friend was wowed by the appearance....was not expecting the first 2 at all and never had anyone say anything about my Sonata. So go for it, if thinking of buying....I love mine!

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  My wife is very happy - 2016 Hyundai TUCSON
  By Ron Maugeri - July 21 - 5:31 am

  very pleased with this vehicle. My wife is extremely happy with this vehicle.

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  Sonata Hybrid Limited - 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  By Arthur Zipin - July 19 - 4:21 am

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  I Never Would Have Thought... - 2002 Hyundai XG350
  By RGarner2@aol.com - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Everyone always asks me if it is a Lincoln, a Volvo or a Jaguar. Im proud to say its a Hyundai. Im a pretty knowledgeable consumer and my only concern in buying a Hyundai was reliability. Ive had no problems in 20,000 miles. It looks great, drives like a dream and is so full of features.

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  This SUV is absolutely AWESOME!!!! - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By deethebee - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Im a mother of two small children, and to me(and Im sure every mom out there in America)safety comes first. I have reviewed alot of SUVs and for some reason I always came back to the Hyundai Santa Fe. I think its not only fun to drive but, I feel safe driving my little ones in it. Women look for safety, comfort, style and luxury. And this has it all. Hyundai built a great SUV....Thanks!!